Our members are aged from 40 (or under) to their late 90s. The majority are retired or semi-retired, but some are part-time or shift workers, unemployed, self-employed, full-time “mums” or teachers on holiday. The bikes they ride range from lightweight carbon, titanium machines, through conventional tourers and hybrids, to “shoppers” and electric assisted bikes. Some are former competitive cyclists or experienced cycle tourists, but some have only taken up cycling in retirement.
Our sections vary in their speed and the distance they ride, so ask around if the section you try does not suit you.
The countryside and terrain we ride in varies, but all areas have a network of quiet lanes that are perfect for exploration by bike. You can ride to the start or get there by car or train.
Most sections meet at a café or pub and then ride together to a location for lunch, some sections continue to an afternoon tea stop, others ride home after lunch. Some sections just meet at lunch. The larger sections may have 25 on the ride and 40 at lunch.
Members regularly get together for cycling holidays in the UK and abroad. There are also special events, which are also open to non-members.
Most of our rides are mid-week but a few sections offer Sunday rides.
You can come out and try our rides a few times, before joining. You are welcome to join us for all or part of the ride or meet us at lunch.
We are affiliated to Cycling UK and British Cycling.
We have our own ‘Group Riding’ guidelines and follow the Cycling UK best practices ‘Cycling UK Ride Leader Guidelines‘ recommended reading and worth printing out.
Bedfordshire rides in small groups from local centres and meet at lunch.
Essex A cover central Essex and meet at 10:00 (10:30 departure) at café, mostly within 10 miles of Chelmsford, and ride to lunch and tea.
Essex B is based in western Essex and meets at 10:30 (11:00 departure) at Harlow Garden Centre or Stapleford Aerodrome (SW Essex) and ride to lunch.
Mid Essex meets at Writtle or Sandon near Chelmsford and ride to elevenses and lunch.
North East Essex meet at 10:00 (10:30 departure) at a café, mostly within 10 miles of Tiptree. They ride to lunch and, in the summer, tea.
Southend starts in Rayleigh at 09:30 and ride to elevenses and lunch.
St Albans meet at 10:00 at a café in Hatfield or St Albans. A faster/longer ride leaves the cafe at 10.30; a slower/shorter ride at 10:45. A very short slow ride leaves from Welwyn at 11:30. On Thursdays, they meet at the Green Man in Sandridge for coffee at 11:00 and ride to lunch or meet at the lunch venue.
North Herts meet at 10:00 for a 10:30 departure at The Three Magnets PH (Wetherspoons) and rides to lunch at a country pub or Garden Centre. Thursday lunch destinations are listed on the section website. We also offer a short easy ride every 3rd Thursday of each month on behalf of the LALG. All rides depend on weather conditions. Please note the Tuesday rides go out each Sunday evening so contact the section secretary to be put on the weekly email list.
East Herts section meets at 10:00 (10:30 departure) at Hertford for coffee, and ride to lunch and back home.
Surrey and Sussex meet at a café at 10:45 (11:15 departure) and ride to lunch. Summer Wednesdays
(car or train assisted once a month)
SW Sussex (sub-section of Surrey & Sussex).
Surrey, Kent, Sussex borders meet at a café at 10:45 (11:15 departure) and ride to lunch
Surrey and Sussex Sunday Section meet at a café from 10:30 to noon