Road Rides – Club Run Information and Etiquette

Welcome to the road specific page for Loughborough Students Cycling Club! This page is aimed mainly at new prospective members or those who need some info on how the road rides work.

The road section of the club runs a fixed schedule of weekly training and social rides throughout the academic year. These will be led by an appointed leader and other experienced members will also help. The leader will be announced on the forum along with the route, distance, approx. times etc for the ride in advance so if there are any questions you can contact them. We hope all road members can be present on these rides as a larger group encourages a friendly atmosphere and reduces the workload on everyone as the field rotates.

We also encourage as many people as possible to offer their services and lead rides once they are comfortable and familiar with the routes as you will need to learn them for when the current committee leave!

Training/Fitness Rides

Saturday:

9.00am @ Fountain (Approx 3-3.5hours)

10.00am @ Fountain (Approx 1.5-2hours)

Sunday:

9.00am @ Fountain (Approx 3-3.5hours)

10.00am @ Fountain (Approx 1.5-2hours)

However, if you would like to ride another day during the week, post a message in advance in the forum giving the time and meeting point and you are sure to get a few others who want a training ride that day so you can have some friendly company!

Winter

The rides are open to all abilities and an effort to stay as one group is made. To help, the first few months of winter rides are focused on base training – maintaining a modest pace (not too difficult) and gradually building up each week throughout winter. Distances vary between 40-60 miles and usually involve one or more hills followed by a break as anyone still climbing catches up! This hopefully will bring everyone’s fitness up at a good speed to allow them by the end of winter to ride at a faster pace in spring/summer months.

Spring/Summer

Spring sees the start of increased pace rides usually towards 60miles as we are all fitter and on Wednesdays will have more light and therefore can stay out longer safely. A chaingang is introduced to the end of the Wednesday ride also to help improve fitness.

(All will either be explained at the Fresher meeting or throughout the year)

Club Ride Etiquette

• Helmets are compulsory and must be worn at all times! No helmet = No ride

• In wet weather conditions it is compulsory for MUDGUARDS! Not only to keep yourself clean and dry but it stops everyone behind you getting a face full of mud / soaked! This will make riding in the rain much more enjoyable for all and there are no excuses as our local shop Pedal Power sell mudguards for all bikes even those without eyelets at a discounted price for LSCC members.

• Each rider must provide for themselves (in case of punctures or minor mechanical problems) suitable equipment such as mini tool, pump, inner tube, chain link and puncture kits.

• Each rider is responsible for bringing enough food and drink to sustain them for the expected duration of the ride also a little money is recommended and a mobile phone in case to need to get home in an emergency..

• It is your own responsibility to come dressed appropriately for the weather conditions present or expected en route. Getting to cold/wet will make your ride very unenjoyable.

• Rides shall depart promptly – no later than 5 minutes after meeting time stated therefore please try arrive at least 5 minutes early to avoid being left behind!

• Each member is responsible for ensuring that their bicycle and equipment is safe and in suitable condition before the ride to prevent injury to themselves and others.

• Communication is essential! If there are any problems such as a puncture or pace, its is important the ride leader/ helpers are informed so action can be taken for example so a suitable stopping area can be found and help can be given to those in need.