An Introduction to Club Cycling - 4 September 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.

Also please read our Group Skills Guide before attending: https://islington.cc/s/ICC-Group-Riding-­Guide-Updated-August-2020.pdf

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.

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, I’d like to attend if possible. I’ve clicked attending so hopefully that’s it but let me know if you guys need anything else from me!

Cheers, Andy

Hi, I’ve clicked attending and look forward to seeing everyone next month! Cheers, Josh

Hi I did an intro ride in the inner circle last year but didn’t join. Do I need to do this or can I just join?
Jamie c

Clicked attending as well, can't wait to meet everyone!

Hi, I’ve clicked attending, thanks. Gianluca

See you on Saturday!

Hi Jamie, Our intro rides and group skills sessions expire after 6 months. We also ask those who have let their membership lapse for 6 months or more to attend a session before they can re-join the club. This is a safety precaution to ensure that when people join/re-join they have an up to date understanding of all our signals and riding etiquette/formations, which keeps them and the rest of the club members safe out on rides together.

Hi everyone, looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow and showing you round our intro ride. A small bit of housekeeping first:

1. If your username is still user123456 (eg) please change it to something more individual so we know who we are looking for tomorrow and throughout the membership process. This can be done by clicking the pencil icon in the top right of this page.
   
2. Also, if you are now unable to make this event, please click the button that you can no longer attend so others can join and we aren't waiting for you unnecessarily.
   
   

See you tomorrow,
George

Hi George / anyone who knows the answer,

Also housekeeping / admin but noted that the above suggests no backpacks but also advises that we bring inner tube, pump etc. Someone kindly stole my saddle bag, I'm trying to borrow one but if I have no luck I think I'm going to have to bring a small one. Assume its advised just so as not to be weighed down rather than for any other reason?

Looking forward to tomorrow!

Katie

Hi George, just wondering if you’ve had any cancellations for tomorrow’s ride by any chance? Thanks

@KatieC, your interpretation is spot on. If you are happy riding with a small backpack for the 40Km ride, please come with one. If you are wearing a cycling jersey you generally could also stash tube, pump etc in the back pockets.

See you all in the morning!

There's a couple spaces opened up. Just click "Yes, I'm attending!" at the top of the page.

Thank you. Just signed up

Morning! Just to confirm, meeting point is Highbury Fields? Not Whittington Park, right?

Yes

Gutted to cancel last minute - woke up with a fever. Look forward to the next one

Where exactly in Highbury fields is the meeting point? Is it near Highbury&Islington station?

On the strip of tarmac cutting across the middle of the park

Hi all,

I hear there were some mixed messages about next steps to join the club so though I would outline here.

If you enjoyed today, and are keen to be a member of London's friendliest cycling club, please go to this site and follow links to join the club.

This will send your information to our membership secretary who will cross-reference our list of names and your info from British Cycling and approve your membership. At the moment we have lots of new members and, as our club is entirely run by volunteers, things take time; please allow a couple of weeks for this to be approved before chasing it up.

Thanks for coming, any questions feel free to ask here...
See you on the road!

Hello, Sadly missed this ride ! Do we know when the next one will be posted and I can sign up? Thanks!

Hi! Same here - I also missed the September ride and was wondering when the next one is? Thanks!

Hi all, I've recently moved to the area and would be keen on joining a new club. Hope to make the next available introductory ride. Thanks!