Central London CTC - essential information for riders

Essential information

We'll stop at a pub (or occasionally a cafe) for lunch unless otherwise stated. There are often morning coffee and/or afternoon tea stops as well but carry some energy food just in case.

We return by train from the station we travel out to, unless otherwise stated in the listing. We return to central London by about 18.00, perhaps a bit later in summer. Sometimes rail lines close at short notice and we have to change the route. Check the website for last minute changes, and if you are joining us after the first meeting point it's best to email or phone the leader beforehand.

Our running expenses for the website, sending out the programme and supporting our parties are covered by contributions from riders. We ask for a contribution of 50p per person per ride (this does not apply to rides organised by other groups). You can see how this is spent in our annual accounts.

On the ride

Riding with a group is a safe and enjoyable way to enjoy the countryside or city. However in order to ensure the safety and enjoyment of themselves, the group and others who are sharing the road, we ask our riders to follow a few extra rules when on our rides.

Before setting out

Ensure your bike is roadworthy. Bring spare inner tube, pump and tyre levers. You should also bring suitable clothing. A shell top can help keep you dry and warm. Lights are essential from October through to March when we are likely to return after dark.

Keeping safe

When on narrow roads please help to ensure the group is aware of traffic: "car up" means a car is waiting to pass the group, "car down" that a car is approaching from the front. Please allow motor traffic (and faster cyclists) to overtake whenever safe and reasonable to do so.
Please signal potholes or other hazards to to other riders, and be aware of and act on the signals of others.
When slowing down or stopping please make sure you call "stopping" or signal, to avoid cyclists behind running into you. Once stopped please stay off, or to the side of, the roadway, keeping the road clear for others. Avoid stopping where you may not easily be seen, such as just after a bend or junction.
Please do not wear headphones – to ride safely in a group you need to be able to hear what's going on around you.

Keeping together

Please avoid riding ahead of the leader, unless invited to do so. If you do get ahead, please wait for the group at the next junction.
Where the group turns into a side road or at a T-junction, please ensure the rider(s) behind you have seen you turn. If no rider is visible, please wait at the turn until he or she arrives.
We usually appoint a backstop who will keep at the back of the ride to ensure no-one is left behind. If you decide to leave the ride before the end point, please let the backstop and/or the leader know.

Finally, please remember that you remain responsible for your own safety when riding with us and should always follow the Highway Code.

The CTC has produced a guide to cycling with groups like ours – read it here.

Ride guide

There are rides to suit different styles, experience and fitness levels – choose a ride you'll enjoy. Feel free to phone or email the ride leader about the distance and terrain to expect. And we do wait for the person at the back ...

*	Easier and shorter rides – about 50km (30 miles) – which are ideal if you are new to cycle touring or prefer a more leisurely ride. Accompanied older children welcome although it is advisable to contact the ride leader beforehand. Please bring the recommended map(s).
**	Medium distance 55-85km (35-55 miles) – steady pace yet time to enjoy lunch, etc.
***	Faster and generally longer (80-120km, 50-75 miles) ) – often hillier – nearly always on-road ... suitable for a light touring or road bike.
****	Faster again, averaging 25kph and longer (100km+, 65 miles+), with a brief cafe stop for lunch. These rides are for experienced Audax or Sportive riders training for their next event, or for those who just like it hard – bring a light winter or summer road bike, be prepared to do your turn on the front and accept that you may get dropped if you can't keep up!
Off-road	Mainly on rough tracks perhaps muddy – mountain bikes normally used.
Audax	Official Audax event – more from www.audax.uk.net – very popular with the more serious riders ... however most of those included in our list are the shorter (100-200km) ones enjoyable for medium paced riders.
Sportif	Cylosportif event – more from www.cyclosport.org – timed events for the more serious rider. Not races, but no upper speed limit as on an audax, so many will ride as if racing. There may be support and feed stations. Entry fees vary – some events are cheap and spartan, others (often connected to a charity) are more expensive and elaborate. It's usually best to register in advance, but often it's possible to 'sign on the line'.
LCC	Rides organised by other groups (such as LCC) – not covered by CTC leader public liability insurance.
Zone6	Start & finish in travelcard/freedom pass area or not using trains at all – low or no travel cost.
Family	Young children with their parents welcome.
Walk	Walk 12-20 km (8-12 miles) often with picnic lunch bring food & drink (no bikes!).