An Introduction to Club Cycling - 3 July 2021

"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 on the flat, 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

@Zac I'm pretty sure I asked this question in the past but I can't recall what you said, so sorry if I am making you repeat yourself. I have a hybrid bike (it's not super lightweight but I did cycle to Brighton with it!) - is that suitable for the introduction, or do I need to have a road bike? Thanks!

No problem @Eleonore_Kuentz
You might have to work a bit harder compared to on a road bike, but feel free to come on a hybrid if you are comfortable with it.

Dear zac

I can't do this ride but can you let me know when the next one is?

Mike

Hi Zac,

Seems to be fully packed now...

Is this introductory session anyhow obligatory for a membership? Or I can purchase membership and join weekly events?

Many thanks.
Tymur

I think I found the answer- “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.”

There are currently 2 spaces free this evening https://forum.islington.cc/events/5953/#comment16055079

Will attend 03.07.2021 session please

Will be attending this 03/07/21 :)

@PatrickH and @sophnaylor, please scroll to the top of this page, to just before Zac's post, and press the 'Yes, I am attending' button to sign yourselves up for the intro ride.

I’ve done that. Has it come through?
Thanks

Sorry, but your name does not seem to be on the list of the attendees.
If the button still reads 'Yes I'm attending!' it means that for some reason it didn't work; please try once more.
Once you are on the list the button will change to 'Can't make it' (obviously, don't press it!)

Does it say I’m attending now?
Thanks :)

Hi - when is the next group skills session? Keen to join the club but I’m new to club cycling. Thanks

Hi Zac. I would like to attend the club intro ride on Saturday 3rd July. I tried to book this using the forum and received a code but it then gave me an error message saying I don't have the right permissions. I had received a nice email from Sally Bremner following my application. I'm an experienced cyclist and actually do volunteering as a support rider for disabled young adults. Please can you sign me up for Saturday so that I can complete my induction to ICC and get started as a member on regular rides. Many thanks! Best regards. Paul. Paul Huttrer

Zak- I can also attend Regents Park sessions- whichever is sooner. Let me know, thanks! Paul Huttrer

Hello Zac, I tried joining but it said you have to register for this event first. I tried registering for the July 3rd Introduction but it said I did not have permission and the link brought me here. What should I do? Thanks Mike Jenn

I am also trying to join this one! Been waiting a few days and keep seeing notifications that other people have been able to join, but it's always full when I look!

Hi @Alex-Saxon @AliDemirtas @AndreaB @cat.d @CathyEva @ConorB @Dan_D @DaphneMG @FreddieLees @GiuseppeG @Hayden @Joh @LindaL @MarcusSJ @MatthewMB @MatthewN5 @PatrickH @PeterMitchell @RichardMatson @Robert_McCaughan @RussellSquare @Seamus.s @Sophieb @sophnaylor @tomwalton @user129664 @user129923 @user130230 @user130502 @user130714 @user34937 @Viktorija

I hope you are all excited for the Intro Ride on Saturday morning, we're excited to have you along. Please try to arrive on time as it is essential for the safety briefing, but there is no need to come early. The map at the top of this thread shows where exactly in Highbury Fields we meet.

Please have a read of our group riding guide before coming, available here: https://islington.cc/s/ICC-Group-Riding-Guide-Updated-August-2020.pdf

If you can no longer make it, could you please remove yourself from the event by clicking "Can't Make It" at the top, as this ride is currently fully booked and there are others waiting for a spot (if you book a spot but fail to attend we reserve the right to limit your future attendance).

Let me know if you have any questions. We look forward to welcoming you to the club.

@user129664 @user129923 @user130230 @user130502 @user130714 @user34937
If you could change your username to something a bit more human that would help us with managing attendance and membership processing. Thanks.

@nsts @user130938 @Paolo-H @AdamRowe
If you scroll to the top of this page you will be able to see if any spaces are available and if so simply click "Yes, I'm attending". Keep checking back to see if anything opens up.

Otherwise all our upcoming Group Skills sessions can be found here

Hi Zac. I've now had an email saying you've signed me up for Saturday. But as I hadn't had a reply for a few days, sadly I now have other commitments for Saturday. I tried scrolling up to look for the "can't make it" button but can't find it. Please can you unsubscribe me from this Saturday's ride. I have however signed up for the Regents Park skills ride on 17th July. Many thanks and hope to meet you out on the road some time soon. Best regards, Paul. (Paolo H)

Hello all, I've had to cancel my space if anyone else can make it!

^ me too

Apologies all, had to cancel my place this morning at late notice, if anyone can fill at the last minute.