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Development Rides: an update & guidelines.

June 18, 2014 / Rob / No comments

We have just had our 8th Development ride. They’re getting more and more popular each time and we’re seeing a lot of new members and a lot of regular faces develop their skills. As such we have had to tweak the rules, learn from our mistakes and listen to feedback for how we run these rides, while the emphasis is on fun and development there is a very real risk ever present when we use the roads.

Please make sure you read and understand the attached document in regard to Development Rides.

Click the following link to view the document >> development ride info PDF

Category: Club News, Development Rides, IMPORTANT information! /

Development Ride 15 june

June 9, 2014 / Rob / No comments

Event info is all at bit.ly/BCC15jun14

if you are coming please RSVP via the link, send a tweet or reply below using the diqus system, you can also ask any questions this way.

We are pleased to announce the next in our development series, once again massive thanks to Kevin for planning the route and making these the success that they are.

We’ll meet at Kirkley Cycles again, although slightly off our usual meeting point and a little straying from our Blaydon roots the offer of quiet country lanes, a cafe start and relatively flat roads is perfect for this type of ride.

Our beginners /development rides are very popular! often with up to 20 people on! http://bit.ly/bccshortrides has more details about the rides on.
They’re for you to get our build confidence, learn to ride with others and progress onto longer rides hopefully with the club!
They have a few simple rules which are posted at the bottom of this post for everyone’s safety.

This ride like many others we have hosted will consist of a small loop for everyone, we then return to ride HQ and those who wish to continue onto the longer development loop can do so. We aim for 10-15 miles depending on the terrain for lap one, for lap two we bring the ride up to around 40 miles in total.

The Development Group rules & guidelines:

– The ‘back marker’ rider won’t allow anyone to fall behind them.

you shouldn’t overtake the leading rider as they are there to help navigate and help manage the pace of the ride, also we can’t look out for you if you are ahead. Naturally, groups will split a little but there will always be a Blaydon jersey (or ride leader) nearby.

– If you have to stop, let whoever is leading your group know for example with any mechanical issues, or you need to stop for a rest.

– we will re group at various points on the initial loop.

– if you spot a hazard such as a pothole generally cyclists will point down at it, if you are not confident you can just shout something such as ‘Pothole!’ you may hear other things such as ‘Car!’ which generally means a car is behind and we should go into single file or allow the car to pass. other calls are made for cars but generally they are obvious as to what is happening.

– ensure you drink enough fluids, hydration is vital, sip small but often generally is the advice from cyclists.

– finally… enjoy the ride, chat to people, ask questions, make suggestions

Category: Development Rides, New Ride, Ride Alert, Ride Info / Tags: Development Ride

June 1st – Development group ride.

May 26, 2014 / Rob / No comments

new to cycling, new to group riding, or just coming back after some time off the bike for whatever reason? This Sunday welcomes in a continuation of our Development rides:(previously beginners rides)

We’re changing the venue once again, we’re testing out Kirkley Cycles near Ponteland

Date → 1st June
Time → 10:00 (for 10:15 departure)
Pace → 12-13mph (no one left behind)
Route → http://www.strava.com/routes/360750
Venue → Thorneyford Farm, Kirkley, Ponteland, Northumberland NE20 0AJ

The usual format applies, a short 1st lap then a second lap for those wishing to stay.

Category: Development Rides, New Ride, Ride Alert, Ride Info /

Blaydon Does The Wooler Wheel…

May 18, 2014 / Rob / No comments

Yesterday a handful of Blaydon Cycle Club members took the (early) trip up to Wooler. Most of us opted for the 100km ride and a few brave souls opted for the 170km route.

A massive thanks has to go to the Wooler Wheel organizers, support staff and volunteers, this included Wooler cycle hub officials, Edinburgh Cycle co-op mechanical support, St John Ambulance and Anderson Drummond photography who were out snapping the riders! (there’s probably more that I forgot)

The only minor issue was huge queues for sign on, but there was a huge amount of riders as well as a new venue for 2014, I have every confidence it will be smoother next time round.

The marshals were at perfect points through the course to assist riders and keep them safe and on course, and any signage was well placed.

The water and feed stops were stocked well with flapjacks, water and assorted other items and were well placed mileage wise.

Every 100km rider that i spoke to enjoyed their day! and i’m sure will be back next year.

For more information on the event and any other Wooler cycling events click over to woolerwheel.com

Category: Post Ride, Ride Info /

Development Group Ride 4

May 2, 2014 / Rob / No comments

☺ 10am for 10:15
☺ Sunday 11th May
☺ La Taverna NE21 4LU
☺ Route http://j.mp/devroute4 (please RSVP on the event, post on this page or tweet us to let us know you are coming)

Dev4 Map
We’ll meet at La Taverna for 10am and set off for 10:15, we will follow the red route for around 10 miles. The usual ‘Beginners Ride’ rules will apply. This route will return to the start point where anyone who only wishes to do our first 10 miles can leave the ride if they wish. The pace of the first 10 miles is very steady and suitable for anyone regardless of experience.
We then will continue to follow the blue marked route to bring the ride up to around 40 miles including a cafe stop. The additional loop is usually a little faster than the first 10 miles but the same rules apply where nobody is left behind. The longer route offers a bit more mixed terrain to allow you to develop skills and pick up new techniques such as climbing.

Any questions, or i if you want to know more simply post below on the event wall:

Category: Development Rides, New Ride, Ride Alert, Ride Info /

27th April Rides

April 27, 2014 / Rob / No comments

A very rainy Sunday seen 2 rides head out, we’re now edging towards calling our ‘Beginners Rides’ Development Rides as that is a more accurate portrayal of what they are, a chance for everyone new, experienced or whatever your ability to learn now ways of riding, pick up tips and cheer each other on.

The first ‘big’ ride seen 6 head up towards Blanchland, over the tops into the North Pennines then loop back at around 50 miles, from what I heard the going was quite fast, and it too was a bit of a soaking wet ride.

The Second ride which was our ‘Beginner’/Development ride had 15 riders who joined us, unusually (due to a weeks break for Easter) both rides started at 9am at La Taverna.

The first loop into Newcastle was pretty uneventful in such a way everyone kept close, and we got there without incident, we got to our second lap and decided due to the rain to slightly reduce the remaining ride to around 30 miles, in that short 20 miles or so we had a broken spoke, and a bottle cage that managed to sheer from the frame of a bike, add that to a little set up error at the very start it may have been one of those rides where we had our most ‘mechanicals‘.

All in all feedback for the development rides is superb, we are getting our highest ridership and we do hope that within a short time those on our short rides can progress to the extra loop then soon the ‘main’ club rides.

as always we seek any feedback or comments, you can leave these below by simply using your twitter or facebook details (other services can be used as well). These rides are becoming a firm favourite and we’d like to improve on an already successful idea.

Category: Blogs, Development Rides, Ride Info /

Beginners Ride 3

April 7, 2014 / Rob / No comments

They say 3rd time lucky… We hope so! Building on the previous success of the past two rides we are offering another shorter ride. The first part is 10-11 miles of relatively flat riding, the second part is more like a ‘typical’ club run but with a few extra point to which we regroup.

We will ride the 1st 10-11 miles at a pace to suit everyone, we then return to start to drop off the first group then riders may continue onto the full ride.

for all rides you must wear a cycle helmet, no helmet, no ride. You should bring suitable water (or drinks) and snacks to keep you going on the ride.

Please inform us that you are coming by clicking bit.ly/AprilShortRide if you don’t use facebook please comment below with Name and number of people coming (Under 18’s must have an adult with them).
FULL RIDE DETAILS are on the above link and updates generally sent via facebook. For more general information on our introduction rides / Beginners rides please click here

On the longer loop there is a cake stop. please bring cash just in case there is no card facility.

Category: New Ride, Ride Alert, Ride Info /

Coast Ride: 26/1/14

January 23, 2014 / Rob / No comments

The coastal ride is still due to go ahead, the weather says expecting a little wind and rain. We’ll keep the pages updated with the information. If the ride is to be cancelled if the weather turns we will post on website, twitter & facebook the evening before. We do not foresee this happening due to the forecast so far.

Category: Ride Info /

Our 2nd Mountain Bike Ride.

January 13, 2014 / Rob / No comments

Sunday the 19th January is set to be our second Mountain Bike ride, it’s on our ‘spare week’ so existing road cycling rides are not affected. It’s a ‘there and back’ ride as opposed to our usual ‘loop’ rides. basically this to keep it all off road and suitable for the MTB.

the elevation profile looks scary but it’s a gradual climb there up to 1500ft and quite a nice rolling downhill all the way back.

We would be meeting at our usual 0900 time this time due to route at Rowlands Gill Park. (NOT La Taverna)

As per all rides we will set of about 0915, taking a steady pace all the way on the C2C route and have a cafe stop at Parkhead Station Tea Room. Please bring suitable cash for the stop and as usual we recommend you wear a helmet for this ride and bring suitable spares and tools.

Facebook event link is here. and also to the right of this page, all welcome, any questions please ask below or on twitter / facebook.

Category: New Ride, Ride Alert, Ride Info /

Update: BCC 10 – 12/01/14

January 2, 2014 / Rob / No comments

Blaydon Cycle Club’s first 2014 ride is planned and routed.

12/01/14 at 0900 meeting at La Taverna.

Here’s the route to print, look at or send to your GPS.
we will be stopping at Wheelbirks Farm & Ice Cream… (don’t worry they do food and coffee too) if you have any questions get in touch or comment below.

Post by Blaydon Cycle Club.

Category: Ride Alert, Ride Info /