An Introduction to Club Cycling - 3 April 2021

Ride going ahead is contingent on government roadmap going ahead. Feel free to sign up if you plan on attending. I will be providing updates in the comments below.

"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:

You should have already been cycling regularly in some capacity and be confident cycling on London's roads.

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.

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.

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 may 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 ICC 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.
Please note: If you sign up but do not attend, we reserve the right to restrict your future attendance to Intro Rides. This is due to high demand for spots on this ride. If you do sign up but cannot attend, please remove yourself from the attendance list so someone else can take the spot.

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!)

Mask/Face Covering. While not required to be worn while riding, please bring a face mask for when entering shops or potential cafe stop at the end of a ride

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.

Feel free to read our Group Riding Guide for more details: https://islington.cc/s/ICC-Group-Riding-Guide-Updated-August-2020.pdf

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

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Look forward to it!!! A

Hi
I have a friend attending this event on 3rd April 9.30 to 12 for the group ride.
I see it is full. Could you let me know if you have any cancellations please.
Kind regards
GIlly

Hi Gilly, people often drop out closer to the date, so please check back later. I'll let you know if I notice any space open up too.

There is still space available in our Group Skills on the 17th of April that you can sign up for.

Hi Zac,
Please place me on the waiting list for this ride. Thank you, Grant

Hi, I would like to also be added on the waiting list! Thanks, Maria

Hi all, based on the latest update from British Cycling, it appears we will be able to increase group sizes for this ride, which means more spaces will available.

We are waiting on definitive guidance from British Cycling on the week commencing March 22nd. Once this is confirmed I will added further ride spaces. So please check back later this month when there will likely be more spots available.

Let me know if any questions.

I would like to join 3rd April if a space comes free and / or group sizes increase please

Same here. If there are any spare spots that come up on either this group ride or the skills ride, please can I join. Is there a possibility of any more dates being added?

Hi due to my work schedule in emergency services this is the only introductory ride I'll be able to make for quite some time as the other dates don't line up. Is it possible to squeeze on?

Hi!
Keep your eyes peeled as someone may opt out last minute and a place may become available for you.
Looks like capacity is already increased to try to accommodate more people but not sure if there’s a possibility to increase even more.
@Zac is the person to confirm. ;)

Also, @user121990 @user126115 @user116995 could you kindly change your user name to something more identifiable, to facilitate communications? :)
Hope to see you all around soon riding with us!

Hi there can i please join?

Posting too to be on waiting list if there is one:)

I'd also like to be on the waiting list, please!

There is no waiting list but people often drop out the day before (or even on the morning itself) so please keep your eyes peeled if you are keen.

Appreciate more spaces being added, look forward to Easter Saturday

Hi @Gilly1 @Grant @user99134 @user121990 @user126115 @Sirin @Ashley:) @CourtneyBerg

I've just added some more spots to this ride so feel free to sign up now.

I’d like to join you 3rd April.
Best wishes
Gilly Freedman

Hi @Gilly1 just click "Yes, I'm Attending" at the top of the page to sign up

Thank you @Zac

Hi Zac,
I currently cycle a lot, but I have a hybrid bike rather than a road bike. Is it acceptable to join the club with a hybrid bike? At least initially.

Thank you!
Olena

Hi Olena, a hybrid bike will be fine. Of course we recommend a road bike and I'm sure you'd prefer one as well as they are faster for less effort than a hybrid, but no problem joining even if you only have a hybrid.

Thank you Zac, hope to see you all on 1st May. (if i get a chance to book myself in :-)

Hello Zac,

Signed up for the upcoming weekend ride and looking forward to it.

Just want to check that we will start and finish at Highbury fields? Also is it mandatory to carry spares? Don’t currently have a portable pump.

Best,
Fahad

@Zac Can I just confirm I have a spot? It's changed to a 'Can't attend' button option, but I can't see my name in the attendees list...

Look forward to seeing you all Saturday!