Please find below an overview of how BMCC club rides are organised.
Weekend Rides: 9am Bicester Leisure Centre
- BMCC weekend road rides run on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays (subject to weather and ride leader availability).
- Generally, 4 rides ranging from 40-60+ miles and from 15 mph to 20 mph on average.
- On the 4th Saturday of the Month we also run an Introductory Taster Ride intended for people new to group riding. Approximately 30 miles, 12 mph avg speed.
Speed and Distance guidance
Our weekend club rides are social rides, NOT RACES however, we recognise that based on fitness and experience, different riders like to ride at different speeds and over different distances. As a result, we have four group “bands” A, B, C and D. It’s important that you, as a rider, select the group you are comfortable with. If in doubt, always select a slower group to start with and then move up when you feel ready.
Whilst we never “drop” a rider, if you join a group that is beyond your fitness levels it could be dangerous for you and could spoil the ride for other members of the group. If in doubt, speak with the ride leader before commencing the ride and they will provide guidance.
Please note that the guidance below on both speed and distance will depend on the weather (typically at the bottom end of the speed and distance in winter ) and the amount of climbing involved.
- A ride. Speed 19 mph+ (30 kk/h+). Typical distance 50-60 miles (80-100 km)
- B ride. Speed 17-19 mph (27-30 km/h). Typical distance 45-55 miles (70-90 km)
- C ride. Speed 15-17 mph (25-27 km/h). Typical distance 40-50 miles (65-80 km)
- D ride. Speed 13-15 mph (21-25 km/h). Typical distance 35-45 miles (55-75 km)
What to do in the event of ride cancellations
If you plan to take part in a ride that has been cancelled due to lack of a ride leader there are three options for you to ride with the club:
- Come to the Leisure Centre and drop down to the next ride, e.g. A => B, B => C, etc… If you drop down a ride, then you should ride at a slower pace of that ride so as not to disrupt the pace of the ride you are joining. Other members are joining rides which have leaders, are expecting to ride at the pace they are comfortable with and it is unreasonable for them to have to change their plans.
- You can step up to the next ride, e.g. from C => B, B => A, etc… In this case, you should attempt to ride at the pace of the ride you are stepping up to. The ride leader will do their best to accommodate you and you will not be dropped, however, it is unreasonable to expect people to ride at a significantly slower pace than they were planning to. If you cannot hold the pace of the ride even without taking turns at the front, you should be prepared to drop off the ride.
- Offer to lead a ride you were planning to join. It’s okay to do this even after confirmed rides have been published on the website. We will have more leaders and rides and everyone will be able to ride at a pace with which they are comfortable.
Make sure you are covered
Participation in Bicester Millennium club rides and events is strictly at your own risk and liability. You are strongly advised to obtain 3rd Party Liability Insurance. You can do this easily by taking out a membership of either British Cycling or Cycling UK. Both of these provide the required Insurance AND they support cycling throughout Britain.
Also please make yourself aware of the BMCC Club rides protocol.
Where we meet
We meet at the back of the car park at Bicester Leisure Centre. Follow the car park around after entering the Leisure Centre until you see a group of cyclists.
