Cycling

Wilmslow U3A – Cycling Group

WELCOME TO THE CYCLING GROUP WEBPAGE!

Please scroll down for our ride calendar

The group offers regular rides for all standards of cyclists and all types of bikes (including ebikes). Our rides vary in length, pace and ascent from short social rides to faster and longer rides for slightly more adventurous members, they all include a coffee stop and are quite social occasions!

Rides are arranged for Tuesdays and Thursdays and there are usually two or three rides to choose from. Members volunteer to lead rides and they are all advertised on our calendar (see below).

We rely on our members to offer to lead rides and we encourage new members to volunteer to eventually become a leader - but only if they feel confident to do so.

All applications to join and any queries should be made by phone or email to the convenor. The group welcomes riders from other U3A groups -please contact the convenor. All riders mut be a U3A member but newcomers can join us for a trial ride before joining if they wish.

Photos from our group holiday in Portugal April 2024

The Tissington Trail

A coffee break

OUR RIDES

We organise our rides in a series of levels, so everyone knows what to expect.

Level 1 – Short, up to 20 miles at a gentle pace (c.8-10mpn) with few, if any, hills. May include some good quality tracks. coffee stop included!

Level 2 – Medium rides of 20 -30 miles at a relaxed pace (10-12mph). May incorporate some minor ascent (<300m) May include some good quality tracks. Coffee stop included.

Level 3 – Slightly longer 30-35 miles and a little faster (12-13mph) rides. May include some moderate ascent (200-400m) and may include some good quality tracks. Coffee stop included.

Level 4 – Longer (40-60 miles) and faster rides (13-14 mph ). Mostly flat but may incorporate some moderate ascent (300-600m). Coffee stop included and again, there might be some tracks but, if so, notification will be made.

Level 5 – Longer (40 -60 +miles), faster (13-14+mph), and including some significant ascent (800-1500m). Coffee stop included. If any tracks involved notification will be made.

Members are free to join any ride if they feel confident to do so and we encourage members to chop and change between levels if they wish.


At the top of “The Brickworks”	Along the Marple Canal

RIDING ETIQUETTE

There are some “rules of the cycling road“ that we expect all members to follow. This will ensure that we all have a safe and well-structured ride.

Always wear a helmet and hi vis or at least, bright clothing.
Never undertake on the left of other riders – they may need to veer left suddenly.
Please stay behind the leader at all times apart from climbing a hill where you should go at your own pace but wait at the top for everyone to catch up.
Be aware that you are responsible for your own safety. Never cycle so close to other riders that you cannot spot the many potholes that we encounter every day.
If you are following two riders cycling abreast always allow space for the outside rider to come back to the left if he/she needs to.
We ride in groups of up to 8. This can mean that if everyone is cycling behind each other (with enough room to spot potholes!) the length of the peloton is too long for traffic to overtake. Please ensure that there are never more than 4 riders in a line. Rider number 5 should leave at least a four car length gap to allow cars to overtake in two stages.
Forming up line-abreast at a junction to turn either left or right can lead to a scramble when the way is clear. Please remain in a toe to tail line.
Always carry a first aid kit and, at least, a spare inner tube for your bike. There is usually (but not always!) a willing fellow cyclist who has a tool kit, pump and experience of mending a puncture, but he/she may not have a suitable inner tube for your bike. Be prepared to take a taxi or call for help if mechanical issues cannot be rectified at the roadside.
The leader cannot guarantee a return time. If a rider needs to be home for a certain time he/she must take responsibility themselves and leave the ride early if necessary.
In being a member of the group, you agree to ensure that your contact and emergency contact details are up to date and to them being shared with ride leaders.

ROLE OF RIDE LEADER

Please remember that our ride leaders are all volunteers and are just members of our group. They are not responsible for your safety – You are!! Please be forgiving if wrong turns are made or they are unable to mend your puncture or provide you with an Elastoplast for your cut finger.

1. Their first duty is to upload to the calendar (or ask the convenor or friend to do so) the details of the ride they are offering with as much early notice as possible. Such details include the level of ride (see above), length, pace, estimate of height gain and whether any off road tracks are involved.

2.Secondly, the ride leader should email the whole group (using the latest email list provided by the convenor) with details of their ride a few days before the date requesting those who wish to join to reply. They may request offers for a second leader if numbers exceed 8. The ride will close once 8 (or 16 if two groups) have responded. If numbers are large then consideration must be made as to the capacity of the chosen coffee stop and, perhaps, booking ahead may be appropriate.

3. The leader should carry a list of all his/her rider’s emergency contact details. In this regard, the convenor will issue all leaders with a complete list of the whole group’s emergency numbers.

4. If the numbers exceed 6 the leader should appoint a backstop to ensure no rider gets left behind. During the ride the leader should regularly ensure all his riders are still following!

5.At the start of the ride the leader should make riders aware of any specific known steep hills, dangerous junctions or poor road conditions.

IN ALL CASES THE RIDER IS ALWAYS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY.


Shutlingsloe	Market Rasen – July 24

Bridgewater Canal at Worsley	Another coffee break

RISK ASSESSMENT

Gawsworth Hall