| Ride Type | Purpose | Pace | Distances | Usual Days | Pre-requisites for Ride |
Beginner Rides
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For the “Novice” or “Beginner” cyclist, who feel that they would like to get involved with cycling with a group with maybe a view to improving and progressing onto other rides. | Ultimately decided by those in attendance but usually aims to travel at a speed of 14 mph to give an average speed of around 12-13mph no-one will get “dropped” | Usually shorter rides of around 20-25miles but occasionally may go a little further if EVERYONE in the group is happy to do so. | Saturday mornings – but may also be organised on other days. | No minimum speed requirement. The ability to ride a bike safely, willingness to take and follow advice from the “ride leader” or other experienced riders in the group on how to ride safely in a group situation. |
Improvers Rides
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For the “Novice” or “Beginner” cyclist that have improved and are ready to begin travelling a little further afield and perhaps also upping the speed a little the natural progression from the beginner rides. | Ultimately decided by those in attendance but usually aims to travel at a speed of 12–15 mph to give an average speed of around 13-14mph no-one will get “dropped” | Further than the beginners group rides usually upto 40-50 miles and sometimes further.Will usually involve a café/refreshment stop. | Sunday Mornings – but may also be organised on other days. | Whilst there is no minimum speed requirement, the ability to ride a bike for around 2-3hrs and feel they are competent to ride safely in a group situation is a good guide.A willingness to take and follow advice from the “ride leader” or other experienced riders in the group.Ride leaders and other members may recommend this ride to people as a step up from the beginners ride. |
Club Run/Social Rides
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The Traditional “Clubrun”, the idea of this ride is to get like minded cyclist’s out enjoying our local countryside.Open to all riders of the club whether they are complete novices wishing to learn new skills or those more experienced members wishing to pass on their skills to the new members of the Group (It can also be used as a “recovery” ride).The natural progression from the improvers rides. | Ultimately decided by those in attendance but usually aims to travel at a speed of 14–16 mph to give an average speed of around 15mph no-one will get “dropped” | Similar in distance to the Improvers Ride – often up to 40-50 miles and sometimes further.Will usually involve a café/refreshment stop. | Sunday Mornings & also Tuesday Evenings in the summer (demand dependant) but may also be organised on other days. | Riders who can maintain a pace of at least 14mph, on their own, over a varied terrain for around 2hrs, are fairly experienced at riding safely in a group.Ride leaders and other members may recommend this ride to people as a step up from the Improvers ride. |
Intermediate Rides
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Ideal for the Club Run/Social riders who would like push on a little further and begin riding faster and learn how to ride in a group that rotates to work together to keep the speeds higher.Also suitable to those looking to progress even further or maybe training for a specific event.May use a few more main roads than the Club Run/Social rides, Beginners to this type of riding are able to come along and try a lap or two at first until they are used to it and able to complete the whole ride. | Usually aims for a constant travelling speed of around 18mph to give an average of around 17mph.Whilst the group will hold up a little to keep people together, people who are significantly struggling may get dropped. | Tuesday Evenings Usually around 25-30 miles but sometimes further. Sunday Mornings – 40-50 miles but sometimes further.Often laps around a 7-mile circuit. | Tuesday Evenings – All year round. Some Sunday Mornings – Demand and volunteer dependant. | More experienced riders who can maintain a solo speed of around 16mph for 60-90mins over varied terrain, that are experienced in group riding and are comfortable riding in closer proximity to other riders and also riding on more main roads.If you are fairly inexperienced in this type of riding then expect a workout. |
Fast(ish) Rides
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This is aimed for members wishing to improve their Cycling speed even further or are experienced cyclists who maybe race, participate in Triathlons or Time Trials and want to use this as part of their training.A faster paced ride that rotates to work together and keep the speeds higher.Will use more main roads than the other rides. The natural progression from the Intermediate rides. | Usually aims for a constant travelling speed of around 20-21mph+ to give an average of around 18mph+.Whilst the group will hold up a little to keep people together, people who are significantly struggling may get dropped. | Around 50-60 miles maybe 40-50 in the winter. Maybe further at times. Usually involves a café/refreshment(pub) stop on Sunday Mornings. | Sunday Mornings but may get organised on other days. | Riders who can maintain a solo speed of 17-18mph for 90mins+ over varied terrain, have a proven ability to ride in close formation at higher speeds and are comfortable on main roads.Ride leaders and other members may recommend this ride to people as a step up from the Intermediate rides.Expect a workout. |
Chain Gang
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This is aimed at the Intermediate and Fast(ish) Riders and is riding in a “pace line” or “chaingang” that is a constantly rotating group (like a chain) a short and frantic ride that is fantastic fun!Riding fast in a group like this is surprisingly easy!Beginners to this type of riding are encouraged to come along and try a lap or two the first week or two until they are used to it and able to complete the whole ride. | Will start off slower the first few weeks it runs – around 19mph average but will increase as the weeks roll by and could be as high as 22mph+ some weeks | Usually 3 laps of the 7 mile Somerleyton circuit. | Tuesday Evenings in the Summer | Riders who can maintain a solo speed of 17-18mph for 90mins+ over varied terrain, have a proven ability to ride in close formation at higher speeds and are comfortable on main roads.Ride leaders and other members may recommend this ride to people as a step up from the Intermediate rides.Expect a workout. |
Time Trials
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A ride on a set course against the clock. Use it as competition against other riders or simply as a measure of your own improvement over the course of a season, excellent practice for the bike legs of Triathlons.A Small fee is payable to particpate in Time Trials. | Whatever Speed you can manage! | 10, 25, 30, 50 & 100 miles | The GYCC Club 10 is on Thursday nights during the summer but there are various other Time Trials in the area on other days | There are no real pre-requisites other than the willingness to do your absolute best! |
