Club Info
Sunday Club Rides
Sunday Club Rides
We have three ride groups on Sunday mornings, Social, Intermediate and Tempo. Please see details of the groups below.
There is also a “Come and Try” ride on the first Sunday of each month, which replaces the Social group ride on that day, details below.
If you’re not sure which group would suit you, try the Social group first, and see how the pace and distance suit you. You can change to another group next time if you want a more challenging ride.
Social Group
- Pace 10-12 mph, distance 30-40 miles
- Depart: Bedford Square 9am
- 3 hour ride, with a cafe stop at around 10.30am.
- We usually aim to arrive back in Tavistock for 12pm.
Inters Group
- Pace 12-14 mph, distance 40-50 miles
- Depart: Bedford Square 8am (9am in Nov-Mar)
- 3-4 hour ride, with a cafe stop at around 10.30am.
- We usually aim to arrive back in Tavistock for 12:30 – 1pm.
Tempo Group
- Pace 14-16 mph, distance 40-60 miles
- Depart: Bedford Square 8am (9am in Nov-Mar)
- 3-4 hour ride, with a cafe stop at around 10.30am.
- We usually aim to arrive back in Tavistock for 12:30 – 1pm.
1st Sunday of the Month (Come and Try)
This is a great way to try riding with a cycling club. If you want to join a club, but have not done so before, perhaps because you are unsure about your pace and the distance, this is for you. Young riders (12-17 years old) are also welcome, but please check our requirements for Young Riders.
We meet for coffee at Church Lane restaurant, Tavistock, at 9.00am, leaving at 9.30am for a ride of 25 miles.
We ride on quiet roads and cycle paths at a gentle pace and have a break for coffee and cake at Yelverton before returning to Tavistock between 12:00 – 12:30. If you want to give us a try there is no need to join the club first, just turn up at Church Lane and make yourself known to the ride leader, who will be able to answer any questions you may have, and enjoy the ride.
We won’t leave anyone behind!
Midweek Club Rides
Tuesday Social Ride
Kirk leads an all day ride with a stop for lunch and at least one (often 2 or 3) cafe stop.
- Rides start at different locations to access new routes
- 40 to 80 miles, with the longer ones during the summer months.
- Details are sent each week by email. To join the distribution list, contact us by email with the Subject Tuesday Ride
Thursday Morning Cafe Ride
Thursday morning rides meet at 10.00am over the winter and 9.00am from May onwards at Lamerton Stores (previously Carr’s Garage), for a social-paced ride to Strawberry Fields (Lifton farm shop), or the Arundell Deli at Lifton, and back for 1pm.
Thursday Chaingang and Pizza
- On Thursday evenings, leaving Bedford Square at 6.00pm, there are Tempos (average 20-22mph) and Inters
(average 16-18mph) fast rides to build your pace and group riding skills on this route - Usually finishing with a Pizza at Church Lane.
- Just turn up in the
square, and remember to bring front and rear lights.
Friday Social Burrator laps
A social ride with a few laps around Burrator reservoir followed by coffee. Meet at Yelverton shops at 10am.
Ride FAQ’s
Beyond this basic guidance here if you are unsure on any information regarding our rides, please feel free to speak to our ride leaders or drop us a message. You’ll always get good advice from our experienced riders.
What to Wear
A helmet is compulsory on all club rides. Padded cycling shorts, gloves and high-viz clothing are also advised and, once you have ridden with us a few times, you might want to purchase our club kit which can be ordered via our dedicated club kit website.
Having layers you can put on take off is very useful as weather conditions can change during a ride or you may feel cooler at a cafe stop.
We also recommend that you wear cycling glasses, as the roads and lanes in Devon and Cornwall are often wet and muddy and this ensures that your vision remains unimpaired and your eyes protected. You should be prepared for weather conditions changing during a ride and remember to apply sun cream as appropriate.
In Your Saddle Bag
You should always carry the following with you on club rides. We would recommend putting them in a saddle bag or seat pack rather then keeping them all in your pockets.
- At least one spare inner tube (even if your’re running tubeless)
- Tyre levers
- Pump
- Small multi-tool
- Cash
- Mobile phone
- Packable waterproof jacket
- Drink
- Food – e.g. an energy bar/gel, flapjack or banana
- Front and rear lights
What is the Route
On most rides the route is sent out in advance either by email or WhatsApp. It’s well worth familiarising yourself with the route paying particular attention to terrain. The routes can be downloaded to most cycle computers to take with you.
Rider guidance
The following is a list of good practices, which we request all club members follow:-
Abide by the Highway Code
Show consideration to other road users. For example, it can be difficult for vehicles to overtake a group of cyclists, cycling in single file may help, but sometimes the best approach is find a safe place to pull in to let the vehicles get past.
Either ride alongside another rider or behind them (It is permissible under the Highway Code to ride two abreast if the road conditions allow).
Don’t allow your front wheel to overlap the back wheel of the bike in front – if they pull out quickly you can both fall off.
Don’t overtake (undertake) a rider on the inside. You should only overtake another rider on their right and only if it is safe to do so. It is also courteous to warn the rider you are overtaking that you are about to do so.
Keep a distance of at least a few bike lengths when descending behind other riders, for your safety and theirs.
Slow down for horses and other animals on the road and give horse riders a wide berth, warning them if you are approaching them from behind.
Although tempting, it is best not to wave drivers on when they are waiting behind you, let them make their own decisions.
When waiting for other riders to catch up, find a safe place to stop and avoid blocking the road or junctions, as this makes it difficult for other traffic to pass or impairs their visibility.
It is important when riding in a group to communicate hazards to others that they may not be able to see or be aware of, such as cars approaching from the front or behind, road hazards such as potholes, or when you need to slow down or stop.
Listen to and follow the guidance and instructions given by the ride leader – this helps provide a safer and more enjoyable ride for everyone.
Be aware of riders behind you, making sure they do not miss a turn.
Always be prepared to stop and help another rider if they have a mechanical problem, it could be you one day!
Rider Leader guidance
Our ride groups are led by a Ride Leader whose responsibility is to provide and navigate a safe and enjoyable ride for everyone. The following guidance is to help both members and Ride Leaders understand what is required to lead a ride:
Know who is riding with you: The Ride Leader will check numbers regularly and should be particularly aware of any younger riders in the group. Under 16s must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or nominated adult and under 18s must not be left alone. Any rider wishing to leave the ride for any reason should let the Ride Leader know.
Keep the group together: Consider using a back marker in the ride group and take care that riders behind do not miss a turn. Regroup periodically if required.
Control Pace: The pace of the group should be set according to the ability of the group being led, as well as the weather, distance and terrain.
Communication: All riders should warn each other of hazards on the route, e.g. calling out potholes and letting other people know when slowing or stopping. Everyone should keep an eye out for riders behind to ensure turns are not missed and to ensure help is available in event of punctures/mechanicals etc.
Pre-ride brief: The Ride Leader should always brief the intended route at the start of the ride. Any of the above points that need emphasis can also be briefed at the Ride Leader’s discretion.
Young Riders
- All riders aged 12 – 17 can only ride if the club has a parental consent form.
- Riders below the age of 16 can only ride if accompanied by a parent or nominated adult.
- No rider below the age of 18 can be left unaccompanied on a ride.
Although we allow young people to ride with the club, subject to the conditions above, it is rare for anyone below the age of 16 to ride with us, as the distance of a club ride is often too great. Anyone below the age of 18 wanting to ride with the club is advised to speak to a member of the club’s committee first.
For under 18s we follow and use the British Cycling safeguarding children policy
Insurance
- Individual membership of British Cycling where you will benefit from £10m third party liability insurance cover and legal support (Race Gold, Race Silver & Ride memberships only) for daily/leisure cycling.
- Individual membership of Cycling UK (formerly CTC) where you will benefit from £10m third party liability insurance cover.
- Individual third party insurance cover with a reputable insurance company.
Nopinz
1. Classic fit (rather than race fit) options are available in shorts and short sleeved shirts.
2. Blizzard long sleeve tops and gilets only have one option because they are a looser fit even in race fit.
3. Please be aware that some NoPinz long sleeve tops and bib longs may have a circumferential seam at the elbow or knee, which you may not like. These seams should be visible on the NoPinz website, but if in doubt please contact them to check before you order.
Primal
- Primal Kit is to the same design, but with a brighter blue background
- There are now no minimums to reach and the orders will be sent for production at the end of each month.