YTHAN CYCLE CLUB – CLUB RUNS
One
of the mainstays of our organised cycling events is the traditional Sunday
morning club run. This is a fun enjoyable cycle ride through some of the most
beautiful countryside in the
Every
Sunday, (barring extreme weather) we meet at the swimming pool car park in Ellon
at 0900hrs. We aim to be back at the car park between 1200hrs and 1300hrs.
We
occasionally have longer rides and the start times and location for these will
be posted on the YCC forum in advance of the ride.
We
also have mountain bike runs and the details of these are posted on the YCC
forum in advance.
We usually decide upon where to go at the
time of departure, depending upon the prevailing winds, the strength of the
riders present and the whim of the organiser.
Club Run Guidelines
Ythan C.C. club runs are group rides taking place on public roads. It is expected that all those taking part will obey the Highway Code. Please ride sensibly, with thought for your own safety and that of other club members and road users.
- Be
prepared:
o
wear
suitable clothing for the expected weather conditions
o
bring
suitable waterproofs if necessary
o
carry
appropriate tools and a pump to fix a puncture (including spare inner tube)
o
take
money for emergencies and for use in the café
o
carry
a drinks bottle and suitable energy bar or food
o
make
sure your bike is in roadworthy condition, paying particular attention to tyres
and brakes
o
take
a mobile phone and make sure you exchange numbers with others on the ride.
o
preferably
use some sort of road bike or hybid bike with road tyres; if you want to use a
mountain bike on the road please use slick type tyres.
o
it
is not the law to use mudguards in wet conditions but it does make it slightly
more pleasant for yourself and those following you.
o
it
is suggested you wear glasses to stop grit from the road getting in your eyes
o
a
helmet is not compulsory but YCC promotes the use of helmets for all club runs
o
if
weather conditions are not great please take some lights and try and wear bright
clothing.
- Ride
no more than two abreast, and be prepared to ride single file on busy or
main roads, when passing other groups of cyclists, or at any other time when
instructed to by the run’s leader.
- The
pace of the club run is that of the slowest rider. The club run is not a
training bash; we don’t want to leave anyone behind.
- When
in the group, try to ride at a steady pace in tight formation. Follow the
wheel in front, and always consider that there will be other members of the
group following your wheel. Do not accelerate or brake suddenly.
- When
cars or other vehicles are trying to pass the run they should only be called
on by the lead riders, and then only when the road ahead is clear and
suitable for overtaking. It may be necessary to ride single file to allow
traffic to pass safely.
- Where
possible, indicate to other riders any obstacles on the road, i.e. pot
holes, parked cars, pedestrians, glass or other debris.
- When
encountering horses, slow down, communicate with their riders, and then pass
single file when it is safe to do so. Do not shout, or undertake any action
that may startle the horse.
- Please
remember, we are all ambassadors of cycling, and we should always consider
our behaviour towards other road users and the impression they take home of
us.
It is important to understand, that when you go on a club run, you are not being 'taken out' by an organiser who is responsible for your safety and wellbeing. You are part of a group of individuals on a joint excursion, each of whom tacitly accepts the risks inherent to group cycling on public roads.
Some
frequently asked questions
I want to ride with you. How fit do I have to be?
If you can ride 20 miles or so you are fit enough to come out on a mountain bike ride. If you can ride about 30 miles or so then you are fit enough to try the Sunday road ride.
How far do you go on a Sunday?
Generally we go out for about 30- 40 miles with stops. You can do more or less if you like.
Is everyone else fast? What if I can't keep up?
Our
club rides are not fast. We want to encourage people to ride a bike, not leave
them behind and put them off cycling for life. Try riding as far as you can on a
flat road at 13 -15 mph. That is what we do and it is always easier when you are
in a group.
I am fitter than that. Will I leave you slowcoaches behind?
Maybe, but we like to save our fast stuff for local races. What's the point of wasting it on a club run where there are no trophies? A lot of our people also meet up midweek for training rides and 10 mile time trials.
Cars scare me. Do you go anywhere quiet?
We try to hit the quiet country lanes that criss-cross the Grampian region. If you really hate cars the mountain bike rides are almost all off road.
Do I have to have all the gear?
Your bike doesn't have to be fancy, just reliable. It is always a good idea to ask around other club members for advice on what to spend your money on. They often have a lot of good quality used stuff for sale as well and are always happy to see someone get a lot of fun from something. We have our own team strip that you can buy if you plan to race.
Where can
I get more information?
Please
check the YCC forum for the latest information about club runs.
