They are compulsory for any club ride or event.

Helmets should have BSI Kitemark or Snell equivalent, and be a correct fit for your head.

Visibility is key: dress to be seen! Even on sunny days, cyclists can become invisible in the shade.

We require a fully functioning rear light with enough charge to last the whole ride.

We also recommend pairing this with a good front light.

You must have 3rd party insurance for cycling. This is a condition of our membership.

We recommend joining British Cycling, their standard membership provides this.

Your current fitness level must allow you to comfortably complete your chosen group ride.

Allergies, medications, medical issues and ICE contacts should be displayed on a wearable ID tag or on your phone.

Make sure your knowledge is up to date.

It is your duty to understand the law and take responsibility for complying with it.

This also means respecting all other road users, including pedestrians and horse riders.

British Cycling recommend the M check and their website has lots of information about looking after your bike and yourself.

Check key components the day before you ride, especially tyres and brakes.

Until you are ready, don’t ride with a group that may be too fast for you.

If in doubt, choose a slower group. Our ride leaders can advise when you are ready to progress to a faster group.

If you wish to improve basic skills, consider practicing these in a quiet area away from traffic, such as a car park. Feel free to ask other club members for advice, we all like to help!

For more formal tuition, club member Marcel is a British Cycling Level 3 qualified coach. He can be contacted by email at cyclecoachingonline@gmail.com.

Knowing first aid could save someone’s life.

You can learn about basic first aid on the NHS website by clicking here. 

In the past we have hosted first aid courses and we intend to do this again in the future.

Dress according to the weather predicted for the day. If any doubt, bring something waterproof.

Wearing layers allows you to adjust to changing conditions.

In winter, we recommend using mudguards.

Eat and drink well before you start.

Ensure you have enough drink and food to fuel you throughout the ride

Always bring some money just in case.

The ride leaders will help get the group riding cohesively, but everyone needs to play their part.

Communicate with each other on the road and look after those around you.

The best way to learn about group riding is to do it!

Always carry two spare inner tubes, tyre levers and a pump or CO2 inflator.

Other basic items such as a multi tool and cable ties are also very useful.

Having some practice fitting an inner tube at home will make the experience less stressful when you need to do it out on the road.