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Is Spokes right for you?
To find out if cycling with Spokes is right for you, you should first take a look at our Ride Calendar or take a look at some of our rides below and see if the rides and activities appeal to you. An example ride calendar is shown lower down this page. Under each ride you will find information that should enable you to determine if we fit in with your outlook on cycling.
Spokes CTC is a member group of Cycling UK.
How do I join Spokes?
1) Just turn up at any of our Sunday Rides, for up to three ‘taster sessions’.
You don’t need to be a fully signed up member of Spokes, or Cycling UK, before you try us out.
N.B. To take part in our weekend, week or longer trips you will need to join Spokes.
2) To become a member of Spokes, firstly sign up to Cycling UK. On receipt of your Cycling UK membership number, click Join and complete the Spokes on-line membership form to start enjoying the full benefits of club membership.
NB. Spokes Membership is completely free once you have Cycling UK membership. If you have any queries please complete the Contact us form.
Club shirts are available periodically.
If you would like to join us on a ride you can Contact us or email the ride leader and let us know you are coming.
Like-minded cyclists, regardless of age, are always welcome!
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What’s the pace like?
Not everyone has the same level of fitness!
Most members are happy riding in a bunch and having a chat, but a few of our members still harbour thoughts of winning something. Mostly though, it is limited to being “1st up a hill” or “1st to park his or her bike at the café stop”.
However, apart from the odd surge of power, we always ride together as a group. Should a potential problem or defect prevent a rider from continuing, we make sure that they have a way of getting back home safely.
All of our Sunday rides have a mileage versus duration measure, it roughly equates to a speed of 10-12 miles/hour.
The guide includes stopping for refreshment breaks, potential defects and to take in the scenery, etc.
Ride leaders grade their rides on how Easy, Moderate or Strenuous they are.
Ride Categories for 1 day(Sunday) rides:
Easy: Going at an easy pace, a distance of 30-40miles max. Usually a few minor-medium hills. An Ideal category for newer cyclists to join us for a ride.
Moderate : The pace and mileage goes up a notch. May include a few more medium hills or some challenging and steep climbs.
Strenuous : High mileage and/or very undulating route with some steeper climbs. Expect a higher pace if the route is fairly flat.
For 2-3 day weekend or week long activities you must be able to maintain an average speed of 12 mph.
See individual ride details on the Ride Calendar for further details.
The right bike?
There are no set requirements for what type of bike you should use when cycling with us. The nature of our rides will favour a road, hybrid or touring-bike of some kind. Occasionally, through the season and frequently in the winter season, we also use road-going mountain bikes or gravel bikes.
Why Join Spokes?
We have a preference to cycling on quieter roads, trails and cycle paths.
The club has a good gender mix.
We are lucky to have Ride Leaders with many years of experience arranging cycle events in the UK and abroad.
We are always available to offer advice and guidance for those new to cycling
A word on safety
Cycling can be a strenuous and hazardous activity, so there is always an element of risk. On all club activities, it is your responsibility to ensure you are fit and competent for any cycle ride in which you participate and that there is no medical reason that could prevent you from fully taking part in it. We advise you carry information of your essential medication, if any, when cycling. We also recommend that you take out personal insurance when taking part in our activities. You are riding at your own risk. Your bicycle must be in a good and road-worthy condition and you must observe all aspects of the highway code whilst cycling with us. You must be over 16 years of age or accompanied by a responsible adult and we strongly recommend that you wear a helmet. Safety is paramount for everyone.
See also “Ride Etiquette” page.
Some of our rides
GDPR Privacy Statement
This statement is the Spokes CTC, General Data Policy Regulation (GDPR) Privacy Statement. The new GDPR legislation, effective from 25th May 2018, will be adhered to by the club at all times.
- Spokes CTC will ensure that all data held is accurate and old records deleted. The club will collect and maintain the following data relating to its members; Name, Cycling UK Membership Number, Postal and Email Addresses, Phone Numbers and Emergency Contact Details. All data held will be password protected.
- The data held is used to record current membership details, to send information to members concerning club activities and to contact people in the event of an emergency. The club does not share or sell on any data to any third party.
Where members have volunteered to lead a ride, their contact details (mobile number and/or email address) will appear on the Spokes Activities / Ride Calendar section of the website. The Ride Calendar is replaced every year after which time the contact details on the previous year’s Ride Calendar will no longer be visible the website.
The member’s data will only be retained on record for the duration of their membership and will be deleted if a member decides to cease membership.
- If a member attends an overseas activity they will be asked to provide their travel insurance details to the Activity Leader. This information will only ever be used in the event where the Activity Leader may need to contact the insurance company on behalf of the member. The information will be returned to its owner or destroyed as soon as the activity is completed.
- If a cyclist falls ill or is injured during a ride the Ride Leader may consider it necessary to raise a Serious Incident Report. This report may contain some of the cyclist’s medical information. Spokes will make every effort to ensure that this information is shared only between the Ride Leader who raises the report and the Welfare Officer to whom they report.
- The Spokes Committee will be tasked with ensuring that all photographs included in club material, appearing on the club’s website or accessed through links from the club’s website will not specifically identify any person appearing in these photographs, except in the case of Committee Members whose photos appear on the website against their names. The club reserves the right to transfer pictures posted on the WhatsApp group and and publish these on to the club website.
- The Secretary of Spokes CTC will act as the dedicated GDPR Protection Officer (DPO) and will be responsible for maintaining the club’s data records.
- The DPO may as required, produce for the committee, Activity Leaders and Ride Leaders, a list of contact details for an organised club event.
- The DPO will keep the committee, Activity Leaders and Ride Leaders updated on the club’s GDPR policy.
May 25th 2018
As a member group of Cycling UK, we adhere to the Cycling UK Privacy Policy
QUESTIONS?
Whether you are curious about our club or just looking for advice, we’re here to answer any questions. Don’t worry, we are a friendly bunch and always willing to help.