SWRC Cycling club

Club run tips

The following tips will help you enjoy and get the most out of the club run:

Dress appropriately always make sure you wear enough clothing to keep you warm in winter. It is foolish to rely on your exertions and blood flow to keep you warm and it can get pretty cold fixing a puncture at the side of the road in winter. Always carry a rolled up cape. It could help to keep out a nasty breeze that springs up out of nowhere and being in England you never know when the rain will appear.

Maintain you machine Keep your bike in good mechanical order. It will spoil, not only your ride, but that of the others as well if, when a mile from home something strategic falls off or a mysterious knocking or rubbing noise develops. Dont leave replacing your tyres until they are threadbare. It is false economy. They will not hold the road so well and they will be prone to punctures. Always carry a couple of spare tubes, some allen keys, tyre levers and a decent pump.

Energy Always leave home after a decent breakfast. For long rides, or rides longer than you are regularly used to, always use a sports supplement drink in your water bottle and carry a banana or energy bar. Drink plenty throughout the ride, even in winter when you may not feel that you want it. It is easy to become dehydrated and it is not a pleasant experience.

If you are intending to join one of our rides it is always better to let us know of your intention in advance so that we can keep an eye out for you and you can be assured of a warm welcome. Please contact us using this link.

1. Always looking out for the rider behind you, shout out to the others if someone is dropped or has a puncture/mechanical problem.

2.Wait/slow at the tops of hills for riders to catch up.

3.Don't accelerate away from roundabouts/lights without checking that the bunch is complete.

4.Check all are with you when turning at junctions.

5.Try and join the group suitable for your level of fitness,if your continually making the group wait join a slower group on the following Saturday.

So to summerise.

Always being aware of the rider behind you so that their not dropped from the group,particularly at the tops of climbs. Riders should rotate at the front and keep the pace appropriate for the slowest rider. If riders feel they are slowing the group down they should ride in a slower group on the next clubrun untill their fitness improves,likewise if their finding the group too slow then move up a group on the next clubrun. Clubruns should be sociable,not a training ride though if your in the correct group for your "form" fitness will improve naturally. If your a first time rider with a group practise "holding" the wheel in front so that you benefit from "drafting" and also keep the group together. In the winter always ride with mudguards to protect the rider behind you from the mud/rain in the lanes. Clubruns are the centre of activity in a successful club like the SWRC. We have great runs "leaders" who know all the best cafe stops so our clubruns are hugely enjoyable.

This social club run ride should never become a chain gang see below. In the spirit of the traditional club run, it is not appreciated if you race your fellow cyclists from the start or try to force the pace. We all want to enjoy the ride without bonking miles from home, so share the workload and keep an eye out for others who may not be quite as fit as you.

What is a chain gang?

The chain gain is a race training ride where a group of riders are riding at or near their limit in a single file through and off rotation. It is a great way to increase your speed and technique. South Western Road Club hold chain gang rides of about 30 miles (or one and a half hours duration) which leave from the clubroom (map) at 6.45pm sharp on a Tuesday evening, from March through to September. The groups are limited to about 4 to 6 riders, so the more riders that turn up, the more groups set off. Participants join the most appropriate group according to their level of fitness and ability.