Our main club rides take place on Saturday mornings starting at 9.30 a.m. On most weeks the meeting point is the far end of the main car park in Downside Bridge Road, Cobham. On the first Saturday of the month, Groups 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 start from the car park in Church Street, Betchworth. Uppers and Downers & Group 6 always start from the main car park in Downside Bridge Road, Cobham.
We also have midweek rides on Tuesday and Thursday. Group 2 & Effingham Group 3/4 start from King George V Playing Fields, Browns Lane, Effingham at 9.30, Cobham Group 3/4 start from the main car park in Downside Bridge Road, Cobham at 9.30
We are using a desktop and smartphone app called Spond whereby group leaders set up the details of forthcoming rides in advance and members can book their place on each ride they attend, the group leaders will set a max number of who can attend, if the ride is full then anyone can apply to ride but they will go on a waiting list, if anyone drops out then the first in line will drop into that spare place.
New riders are welcome, but please contact the club first, either using the contact form on the website, or by emailing the relevant ride leader. After completing three rides with us you can decide whether you want to join the club. All groups will ensure that no one gets left behind or lost, and will wait for slower riders to catch up.
Once you start riding regularly with a group, you will find that members will keep in touch about forthcoming rides through e-mail and WhatsApp groups and some leaders will send out maps which can be downloaded in advance.
Each Saturday, there are usually 7 different groups riding out and catering for a range of abilities and preferences:
There are also longer Audax style rides. See the Audax page of this website for more details.
Group 1 - 80-100 miles over 6-7 hoursThis is for riders who are experienced at group riding and who are able maintain the discipline of riding in a group for a sustained period at a high speed. The average speed of the group will vary according to the terrain and weather conditions, but overall, it is around 17-18 mph. There is a tea stop at a pre-determined café at around the halfway point. Group 1 contact – Lisa Lidbetter. Please note Group 1 is not currently riding email to: |
Group 2 - 60-80 miles over 5-6 hoursThis is for established riders who are used to riding in a group at a sustained pace over hilly terrain. At times the pace can be high, but at a rather lower level than the Group 1 and for less sustained periods. Again, the speed will vary according to conditions, but the average is around 16 mph. There is a tea stop at about the midpoint. Group 2 contacts - Paul Gadd & Ben Thomas email to: |
Group 3 - 60-70 miles over 5-6 hoursThis is again for established riders who are used to riding in a group, but who want to go at a slightly slower pace than is usual for Group 2 rides. On the first Saturday of the month Group 3 usually goes to the same destination as Group 2 with the groups either riding together or meeting at the cafe, depending on the numbers. The average speed is around 15-15.5 mph. Group 3 contact - Gordon Bowser email to: |
Group 4 - 50-60 miles over 4-5 hoursThis is for established group riders who prefer a rather slower pace, or alternatively for those who are relatively new and who are looking to improve their performance or gain experience of the disciple of group riding. The emphasis is on maintaining an even pace and keeping the group together with a rough average speed of around 14.5 mph. There is a mid-ride café stop. Group 4 contact – Ian Waldron email to: |
Group 5 - 35-50 miles over 3-4 hoursThis is a social ride for both established riders and those who are relatively new to cycling. The pace is only a little slower than the Group 4 at around 14 mph but usually over a slightly shorter distance. A café stop is at around the midpoint. Group 5 contact – Aubrey Fox email to: |
Group 6 - around 30 miles over about 3 hoursThis is a social ride aimed mainly at those who are new to cycling. The ride has an easy pace of around 13 mph and avoids the steeper hills in the area. A midpoint café stop is included. All Group 6 rides start in Cobham. Group 6 contact – Lisa Lidbetter. Please note Group 6 is not currently riding email to: |
Uppers & Downers - 35-40 miles over 3 hoursThis is a ride for mixed ability riders who are experienced at riding in a group. It is popular with those riders with a limited amount of time to spare, but the rides are challenging over persistently hilly terrain. The rides do not venture far from the North Downs and so there is always the option to return early for those not wanting to complete the full ride. There is a café stop at the end. Currently all Uppers & Downers rides start from Cobham. Uppers & Downers contact – Paul Storey email to: |
Midweek Rides - 40-70 miles over 4-5 hoursCurrently we run three groups: 2 - Effingham, 3/4 Cobham and 3/4 Effingham. Theses are social rides and we ensure that no one is dropped. There is no advanced programme of rides and destinations are decided on a weekly basis. Effingham Midweek rides start from King George V Playing Fields, Effingham. Cobham Midweek Rides start from the main car park in Downside Bridge Road, Cobham Download a Midweek route via the Ride with GPS website: Midweek_Rides.pdf Midweek contacts – Ben Thomas (Group 2 Effingham), Gordon Bowser (Group 3/4 Cobham), Ian Waldron (Group 3/4 Effingham) email to: |
