An Introduction to Club Cycling - 8 February 2020

"An Introduction to Club Cycling" is a monthly ride run by ICC specifically for people who would like to try out the club cycling environment in a non-pressured and supportive group.

If you wish to join ICC then you will need to complete one of the compulsory training sessions, either this Introduction Ride or the Group Skills in Regents Park.

You must be signed up for this event to take part. If you are not signed up here on the forum, you will not be able to participate.

PLEASE READ

Unfortunately we cannot offer this session to complete cycling beginners as we are not teaching cycling proficiency.

ALL ABOUT YOU:
1.You should have already been cycling regularly in some capacity and be confident cycling on London's roads.

2.You should be familiar with your bike, its set-up and be confident riding it. If you've only just bought your bike, take it out for a couple of spins on your own to gain confidence before you join a group ride with us.

3.You should have a moderate level of fitness already. Capable of riding 40 km at an average speed of at least 20 km/h, with several steep hills and only brief stops. If you're not yet comfortable at that distance or pace please build up with solo rides before coming along.

4.You should be interested in learning how to ride with a group, and open to improving your cycling skills and communication with other riders.

THE SESSION:
We will cycle a 40 km route and discuss group formation, signals, group communication.

There will be a cafe stop at the end of our ride where we can discuss things such as endurance fitness, hill climbing and any other questions about the club. Depending on pace, we should get to the cafe stop in Highgate between 11.30am - 12.30pm.

HOW DO I JOIN IN?
If you wish to attend this session you need to sign up to the ride here on the Islington forum.

Register as a user on the forum (please help us by creating an actual name rather than the default username) then click the 'Yes I'm Attending' button above to confirm your attendance. If you see no places left, it is because the session is full. We do not maintain a waiting list so please keep checking back in case a place becomes available.

Places are strictly limited - this is to ensure we can safely guide you on our route. Because of this, please do not attend this session if you have not signed up on the forum - you will be turned away.

WHAT TO BRING:
As with all club rides, you must wear a helmet to take part in this ride.

Your bike must be in a good and roadworthy condition. Check your wheels are straight, that your gears shift reliably and your brakes work correctly. Ensure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure.

Spare inner tubes, tools and a pump. Other riders may help you if you are in trouble but you should be self-sufficient and at the very least be able to fix a puncture.

We're only doing a short ride, so an energy bar or a banana will do for food. Make sure you start the day with a decent breakfast!

Bring water, making sure that you can easily carry it with you on your bike.

The weather can change quickly so make sure you have checked the weather report and dress appropriately (waterproofs/warm clothing when appropriate).

Money for the cafe stop or in case of an emergency (you might be in a situation where you need to get a train or taxi home so bring enough cash or your cash card!)

WHAT TO LEAVE AT HOME:

BIKE LOCKS. Please leave your heavy D lock at home! You will not need it on this ride.

RUCKSACKS. You should be able to stuff all your things into jersey pockets or a saddle bag. Please aim to travel light.

OTHER STUFF:

ALL RIDERS MUST observe the Highway Code AT ALL TIMES when riding with Islington CC. This includes: riding no more than two abreast and riding in single file to allow traffic to pass on narrow roads, obeying traffic lights and signs, not riding on pavements and not abusing other road users.

Please acknowledge any courtesy shown to you by other road users and stop at pedestrian crossings where necessary.

Riders attend club rides strictly at their own risk. Please listen to your ride leaders and follow their instructions.

Looking forward to seeing you!

Zac,
Development Secretary

hi could I sign up to join this ride too please?

Hi @VictoriaB simply click the "Yes, I'm attending" button at the top of this thread.

@Zac, can you fit a little one in? (I used to be a member in 2016)

Hello everyone, I am a newbie and tried to join this introduction ride on Sat 8 Feb and discovered it is "full". My Q is.... is there any possibility of joining the ride if someone is unable to attend? Is there any mechanism for me to be told/invited? If only as late as on the day before?

If the ride is showing as full then unfortunately we don't have space for any other riders to come along. We also don't have a way of notifying you should spaces come available, so suggest you keep an eye on the thread in the hope a space opens up. This does tend to happen the closer we get to the ride, so it is worth checking back now and again.

If you are signed up to attend this ride and can no longer make it, please give up your space so others can come instead.

@Warren_V_Tech quick, their are now spaces!

@DaveCooper Hi Dave, Thanks for you "heads up"...... networking working!! without having to regularly revisit this web page; which is not automatic because I am not a member. ( somehow I saw your invite in my mail inbox.... one day I will understand how this works.) Tks once again.

Hi everyone. Another newbie question..... to save me time riding round the park in circles :) Knowing how important it is to find the "meeting point" and to be on time I went on a fact finding mission
There is no mention in Zac's comments above about the exact meeting point. ( Perhaps its staring me in the face ) So I "assume" the cursor on the map is correct and can be trusted. Ummmm : )
A Google Search - "Sunday Club Rides Meet at Whittington Park, Holloway Road entrance, N19 4RS, for an 8.30am depart. Coffee and cake............"

From three possible map locations; the post code N19 4RS; the map cursor above at "Upper Holloway Rd; and an entrance on "Holloway Rd", I am going to gamble and "assume" there is an entrance to the park on the main road. ( Holloway Rd)... the meeting point? Am I right? A picture paints a thousand words.... comes to mind... ( smile )

@Warren_V_Tech you’re correct there is an entrance from Holloway Road into the park, and the cursor on the map above is correct.

I’ve attached a street view of the entrance from Holloway Road.

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