Here’s the night before reminder!
0945 meeting for 1000 start (prompt) at Kirkley Cycles
Please Note: The weather forecast is changeable and at present the ride is STILL GOING AHEAD though with police and weather sources warning us of adverse weather we may have to CANCEL in the morning, a post will be made in the event by Blaydon CC or Kevin if this is the case please check our event (click here) before traveling. If you are riding to the event please take care on the roads.
Winter Rides: *Updated November 2015*
Please Read the below so you fully understand our intentions for winter club events.
Unfortunately living in the North of England we are at the mercy of mother nature. Just to re-address the issue of winter rides.
We try our best to keep club activity to as near to as full time as we can, we were lucky in previous winters as we never really had any severe weather.
Safety of all members is our top concern and it may get to the point where for these reasons we call off a ride. If you don’t feel confident riding in the weather that has been forecast, there is no shame in dropping out of the ride if you think you won’t be to manage for whatever reason.
We recommend lights for all rides during the winter months due to visibility being lower than the brighter summer months, especially for the ride to and from the club rides. For our week night training sessions they are mandatory (these rides take place in the hours of darkness, it’s also a legal requirement to be lit up at night) – as a minimum, on a club ride a flashing rear light is suggested in daylight hours. (just think if there was an insurance claim, have you took reasonable precautions to aid your visibility) It is your responsibility to make yourself visible to others.
Regarding club rides and events, the decision to cancel or alter a ride will be made where we can, the evening before so during the winter please make sure for our events you check the social media channels (usually this will be decided
We will post a message on one of the following (twitter and main club page are interlinked):
This decision will be made amongst a group of our regular riders from observing the current conditions, forecast and any weather warnings in place. Rides may be also subject to delay, cancellation or alteration on the day if we feel that it may not be safe to continue due to sudden weather or forecasts received. Please check the individual events and main page for any relevant messages before you leave the house that morning.
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/
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
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/
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.
☺ 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)
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:
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.
on the 2nd of March Kevin has very kindly said he would lead a ‘Beginners ride’, what we mean by these rides that are a shorter ride than our usual club runs that consist of ‘laps’ of around 10 miles for people new to cycling, just getting back after time off, or new to club riding.
They aim to be on flatter courses and taking in roads that are light on traffic where possible or with suitable cycle lanes routes.
Our usual club runs are around 40 miles, so these rides offer the chance to get out there at a more relaxed pace, meet new people, and see what riding in a group is like.
You can do one lap or as many as you feel you can do, all we ask is you tell the designated ride leader(s) where you wish to stop (usually at the meeting point on a lap)
The pace will be dictated by the group so it will be as fast as the slowest. GPS route and maps are available below:
The ride has been advertised both on the club social media as well as Sky Ride
Helmets must be worn on this ride, please take notice of any instructions from ride leaders and you are required to ride within the rules of the road.
Please also make sure you have tools and spare tubes in case of a puncture on route.
Initially an event for Blaydon & Spennymoor clubs we’re looking to get the North East social cyclists out for a ride.
This page is a placeholder for the event, when we have more details we will post as and when we know. we’ve pretty much just had the idea tonight (18 feb) so watch this space and our collective social media outlets.
Event is being hosted at bit.ly/23marchride which will also be updated accordingly.
IF you are a North East group who would like to join in or send riders over please contact us.
We aim to ride 40-50 at present we have no planned cafe stop but feel free to stop at any locations on the way. This may however change as plans are drawn up. GPS mapping will be available. Full details and points to consider coming soon.
0900 for 0915 @ La Taverna Sunday 9th Feb.
After last weeks impending snow, sleet, rain, cats & dogs we ditched the coast ride for a shorter inland ride. For our next ride we hope to try the coast ride again, however a backup route is in place just in case the weather is poor. Updates through the usual channels. Event to your right in the tool bar, or here
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.