Book now to join Patrick Ryan & Alan Triggs on 2024’s first Group-organised ride – an outing to Pearces Farm Shop & Cafe on Sunday 7th January

Heading off from one BP petrol station on the east of Cambridge we follow a circular route, ending a few miles west of Cambridge at a second BP at Childerley Gate. We’ll mostly keep to B-roads as we wind through pretty North Essex villages, getting as far east as Radwinter on our way to the breakfast stop just north of Puckeridge. The breakfast menu caters to all tastes, and includes granola with blueberries, yoghourt & honey for those starting the New Year with healthy resolutions

After breakfast we have a second short spell on the A10 back to Buntingford before following smaller roads into Herts & Beds. We get as far west as Potton before heading eastwards once more on our way to Childerley Gate. The journey is 82 miles in total.

Departs BP Newmarket Road, Cambridge at 9:30am
Limited to 12 participants: use this link to request a place

Book your place now! Rescheduled because of ice a week ago, Keith Curtis’ rideout to Shuttleworth is clear for takeoff on Sunday 17th December. The departure point & the route Keith will be using are unchanged…

Heading out from Caxton Gibbet we make our way through Yelling, Graveley and the Offords to cross the A1 at Buckden.  Following a series of B roads we skirt the edge of Bedford before crossing the A421 and pass through Great Barford before turning off and making our way along some minor roads to our breakfast stop at The Shuttleworth Runway Café (menu). The outward journey is ~41 miles

After breakfast we have a shorter ride back to Caxton Gibbet. Skirting Shefford and passing through Henlow Camp, we will bypass Potton and take the back road out of Gamlingay. Heading through Longstowe we pick up the A1198 to our finishing point in a layby a stone’s throw from where we began. Cognisant of the potential for inclement weather and lower temperatures at this time of year, this is a shorter ride, with the return leg ~32 miles

Departs Caxton Gibbet, Sunday 17th December @ 9:30am
Use this link to request a place. Ride limited to 12 participants

Over Community Centre, Saturday 21^st October
Open to full Members & Associates*. Email Catherine to request a place

Our Group ride training is expanding to include full Members alongside the Ride Leaders & Tailer Enders (RL&TE) team. Associates who have begun Observed rides and had confirmation from their Observer that they are riding at a suitable standard to join Group rideouts are also welcome. Training Manager Barry D explains the thinking behind this change, and what those attending can expect:

Much emerged from the RL&TE training session in June – not least the insight that all riders might benefit from a better understanding the RL&TE roles, the guidelines presented by the leader and their actions during a ride. By opening this training to Members we aim to reduce the number of problems which arise from time to time during rides, so Group rides are more enjoyable and safer for all. Over time we hope that all members will attend this training, and each session will be a rich mix of:

• Those aiming to join the RL&TE team

• Leaders & Tailers updating their training

• Members & Associates aiming to better understand how to participate positively & safely in a group ride

All full Members are now invited to our our next training session on Saturday 21^st October at Over Community Centre. This starts at 10am, and is expected to finish at by 4pm. As there is a practical session attendees should arrive by bike (ideally equipped with a SatNav). Tea, coffee & biscuits will be provided but please bring your own sandwiches. The bar will be open for soft drinks

There will be a little work for attendees to complete in advance of the course (more about that nearer the time). The morning will start with Module 1 presentation (~90 mins), followed after a short break by the Module 2 presentation (~30 mins). On-road training follows, for which participants will receive a SatNav route and information on how to prepare

Both current RL&TEs and those aiming to join the team will have the opportunity to brief and then ride in the RL role. They will also ride in the TE position, picking up markers as they go. The SatNav route will clearly identify the location where Leader & Tailer swap roles halfway along the 20-mile route. The training will be a close with a Q&A session

Please consider signing up for this training. Whether you’re already on the RL&TE team, thinking of joining or simply wish to gain a better understanding of group riding your attendance will help us make our rides safer & more enjoyable. Please email me (Barry) directly if you would like further details, or email Catherine to book your place