An introduction to club cycling - 03 November 2018

Hi Elizabeth,
I talk to quite a few riders who are in the same position as yourself and mostly I recommend riding around Regent's park, either by yourself or by coming along to one of our Group Skills sessions, which are on the inner circle where there is next to no traffic. The outer circle gives you a nice step up from there into riding with other cyclists and having cars come past you but generally because everyone is going around in a circle it's less daunting than trying to navigate any right hand turns into traffic. Laps may sound a bit boring but they are a great way to get your fitness up as you rarely have to stop for lights/turns. If you'd like to start traffic free then set your alarm clock and get to the park before the gates open to traffic (7am).

If you don't like the sound of laps at all then I'd recommend trying out a Breeze ride https://www.letsride.co.uk/breeze as they do all sorts of rides at varying levels and are an incredibly friendly, welcoming bunch (just like us!).

+ElizabethB in addition to what Sally says you could try:

1. Most Councils (and you could try where you work as well as where you live if you have problems) will do some free 1:1 cycling confidence training. I did 2 2 hour sessions with my children a few years ago and they were really good - first one was in a park, second one we did our school run. I think they will take you on your commute and give you advice about routes/scary junctions etc.
   
2. You could try LCC as there local groups often do slower/shorter rides.
   As Sally says, Regent's Park is good, though the gates open to cars at 6.45am and its obviously dark at this time of year. I suppose the velopark road circuit is another option though there are often some very fast cyclists there.