An Introduction to Club Cycling - 6 November 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-2021.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

Can I get a spot please Zac?

Hi Zac. I'd love to join. Please count me in if there are still spaces available. I'm an experienced road cyclist (with occasional periods spent on the dark side ie mtb) and used to race regularly. Thanks, Huw

I would love to attend, I have pressed yes I’m attending

I would like to attend this session please. My email is [email protected]

I would like to attend as well if there is space still available

I'd love to attend if space is available

Hi all, please click "Yes, I'm attending" at the top of this page to reserve a spot for yourself!

Hi Zac, have clicked to attend - just wanted to check if the meeting time at Highbury Fields is 9.30am as above?

Hi Andy,

It is indeed. 9.30am at Highbury fields. The pin on the map is accurate too, as we meet on the path through the middle.

George

Hi. Just making sure I've made it on to the confirmed list. I don't see myself in the attending list!

Hi - unfortunately can no longer attend so I should have freed up a space if there’s anyone waiting.

as

hm i think its filled up already?

@Alex_Stirling @AlixK @Des84829 @Enora @Greg_Kabulski @HelenACit @jasminB @Joanna @JoeColagiovanni @Judie @Katie_Lovell @LiamDonaldson @Mack_Clayton @MartaB @Mathew @MImir @PaddyTesh @Patrick_Carmody @SarahP @TomCauvain1 @user134756 @user135366 @user135390 @user135404 @user135406 @user135632 @user135667 @user136171 @user136172 @user28642

I hope you are all looking forward to the Intro Ride tomorrow. Please read our Group Riding guide so we can spend less time standing around during safety briefing and more time riding!

If you are no longer able to make it can you please remove yourself by clicking "Can't Make It" at the top of this page, as this will open up your spot for others to take your place. If you reserve a space but fail to attend we may limited you from attending in the future.

Let me know if you have any questions and look forward to welcoming you tomorrow.

Also, PLEASE change your username to something more personal. It makes it much simpler for us to process new members after the rides.

Is there a link to a route if possible? Thanks

Hi Des, the route is posted on rwGPS here:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31883560

Thanks all! Great ride 🚲🚲

Thanks, everyone! It was really great to meet you and I had a fantastic morning. Looking forward to seeing you on future rides.