The club organises a series of club rides that are open to all members and those who are interested in joining the club. We do not insist that you join the club for the first two club rides but we would expect you formally join the club after your second ride. We also expect before your third ride with us that have your own third party insurance through the CTC or British Cycling (Silver Membership)
When and where
Weekend club rides take place on Sunday mornings with details posted on the Southborough facebook group page . Sunday Club rides are generally social group rides with a coffee stop at the end and the ride may incorporate some group riding practice (e.g. chain-gangs/social change) and occasional faster sections after which we will regroup. Please feel free to come along and join one of the group runs and split off if you don’t have the time or are worried about keeping the pace for the distance.
We meet at the Millennium Clock @ Five Ways - outside the Royal Victoria Place Shopping Centre, Tunbridge Wells on Sundays - departing at 8am (Summer in line with GMT + 1) / 8.30am (Winter) – the later and then the earlier start reverts in line with the clocks changing in October and March. We aim to be back around 11 - 11:45am – depending on the terrain and weather conditions – allow more time in the winter months. Please do check our facebook events page as times can vary, with some earlier starts for our monthly extra-long rides in the summer months along with our Annual Ride Lydd Charity Ride which takes place in August. Post ride, we end the ride with a coffee at The Forum in Tunbridge Wells, near to The Pantiles and then onto The George Public House on Mount Ephraim for a further debrief should you wish.
There are normally two routes published each week, Long - 50 miles (80 km) and Short 35 miles (56 km). The monthly extra-long ride is circa 90 to 105 miles (145 km to 170 km)
There are usually 3 core pace groups and on occasion an SDW Racing Group.
- SDW Racing: Over 20mph / 32kph
- Grupetto A: 19mph / 30 kph
- Grupetto B: 17mph / 27kph
- Grupetto C: 15mph / 24kph
The route of a Sunday club run will always be posted in advance usually by the Friday on our facebook page with details of group ride guidelines. In order for the rides to run smoothly try and make sure you ride with a group that you are comfortable with (i.e. not too slow or too fast for you) and load the route onto your GPS device if you have one. Note that rides may split on fast sections and up hills but will regroup. Whilst we do regroup and try to make sure we don't lose anyone please accept the risk that it may happen. If you don't know the route or area please flag with ride leader who will take special care to not lose you.
Please make sure you are comfortable in riding at the avg. pace across all terrain if you are stepping up a group. If stepping down from your usual pace group for a more relaxed ride, please be sure to not stretch the group beyond its usual pace.
