People naturally have quite a few questions they ask us before coming out on one of our rides. Here we try to answer some of the more popular ones for you. If you have any other questions about cycling in general or any other activities we do then please e-mail us. A big thank you to Addiscombe CC for the original idea of a beginners FAQ and some of the text.
I want to ride with you. How fit do I have to be?
Is everyone else fast? What if I can't keep up?
I want to race. What do I have to do?
How far do you go on a Sunday?
Hey I am fitter than that. Will I leave you slowcoaches behind?
What is the difference between time trials and road racing?
Cars scare me. Do you go anywhere quiet?
Do I have to have all the gear?
OK, I would like to join. What do I do next?
Why are you doing all this stuff for me?
I want to ride with you. How fit do I have to be?
Not particularly. If you can ride 20 miles or so at a gentle pace 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. If you are unsure then print off one of our routes and try it on your own, remember it will be easier in a group.
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 at an average of 15mph for around/over 2 hours on a flatish road. That is what we do and it is always easier when you are in a group. If you do find the pace hard, shout, whistle, fall off (joking) to attract our attention and we will ease up. Just remember we have all had trouble keeping up at some point, so we understand.
If you are nervous about being ‘dropped’ or riding in a large group, then tell us at the start and we will assign someone to ride with you and teach you how to ride in a group. They will also have no problem shouting at the group to slow down on your behalf.
If you really don't think you can keep up email us and we will give you the details of your local CTC group. They go even slower than us, often at 12 mph. You will definitely keep up with them! Also during the summer we do have our "reliability rides" which are at more gentle pace but are longer, and our occasional novice rides which are at the pace of the slowest rider, see the club runs for details.
Not at all. You do as much or as little as you like. You may find that racing is infectious, especially our club time trials that are done entirely at your own speed and on a car free circuit. In a time trial you cannot come last as you are racing against your previous personal best times always trying to better them. We will also be promoting some novice road races on the same circuit during the summer.
I want to race. What do I have to do?
To keep it simple you need to ride club runs every week in winter to get fitness that will see you through the rest of the year, join BMCC, subscribe to a racing organisation (for road racing) and race. Or you could simply come to one of evening sessions at Weston on the Green airfield, Tuesdays for Time Trials and Thursdays for Road Racing/Training. for more information about racing see Want to Race
How far do you go on a Sunday?
Generally we go out for about 50 miles in the summer and 40 miles in the winter via a cafe for tea and cake. You can do more or less if you like. You can always travel back some of the way by yourself if you think it might be a bit much to start with or meet us at the café stop.
Hey 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 Saturday for training rides, usually start 9am from Bicester North railway station heading towards Turweston airfield for tea. If you are fast then try one of these!
What is the difference between time trials and road racing?
Road racing is you against 60 or more other people riding in a big bunch (just like the Tour). The groups are made up of riders the same level as you so you won't be riding against the experts! Time trials involve a field of riders who go off individually at 1-minute intervals over a set distance. The one who covers it in the quickest time is the winner. There are all sorts of abilities in time trials but the person you are racing against is yourself. For this reason we encourage beginners to try time trials first if they want to see how fast they can go. They are often pleasantly surprised!
Cars scare me. Do you go anywhere quiet?
Yes cars scare us as well. We try to avoid major towns as mush as possible and hit the quiet country lanes that criss-cross Oxford and Buckinghamshire. If you really hate cars the mountain bike rides are almost exclusively off road.
Do I have to have all the gear?
A reliable bike is a staring point; obviously for the road ride a racing bike is preferable. You can use a mountain bike but we suggest you fit some narrow slick tyres. We also recommend that you wear a crash helmet and a pair of cycling shorts will also make the experience a bit more comfortable. Additionally a reasonable pair of cycling shoes and set of pedals that you 'click' in to will also make the experience more pleasurable.
You will need to bring along a spare inner tube, a pump, a puncture repair kit and a drink. Some other useful items include a small multi-tool, a pack away rain jacket and some cash for tea and cake at the café stop.
We don't abandon people if they puncture or have mechanical problems; in fact we all stop and help. However, it's your duty to ensure that you come prepared for things like punctures and that your bike is well maintained, safe and fit for the distance.
We meet every week, we have Saturday advanced Road training rides, we have Sunday MTB rides, we have Sunday easy/social rides, we meet occasionally in the pub for a pint or two and we go away for weekends when there is something special on. Oh and we go to races together.
OK, I would like to join. What do I do next?
You are invited to turn up and try one of the club runs, or come along and meet us at a social evening for details see the newsletter and club runs list. Or you just email us, and we will get you out with people you will enjoy riding with.
Why are you doing all this stuff for me?
We all had to start somewhere. We remember how daunting it seemed all those years ago. Cycling is great fun. We want to help you realise that. Oh and also we want more people to go down the pub with, more people to crack poor jokes with, more people to race with, more people to share lifts to events with etc. It works both ways!
There is a lot more information for beginners on the Road Cycling UK website below are some particular links, along with some other document links.
Road Basics
Winter Club Run
Winter Bike
Time Trials
Road Racing from scratch
British Cycling Beginners Guide
Track Racing
Audax
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