Weekend club rides

Easy rides

40 – 50 km (25 – 35 miles) 15 km/h – 18 km/h, generally on a Saturday morning 10:00 start from schedule location

An introduction to Group and Club cycling. These are easy family rides for mixed ages and abilities, using the local lanes around Chippenham, avoiding main roads wherever possible. Suitable for all beginners and youngsters alike. A guided ride with a pre-planned route sheet and usually includes a mid way coffee stop. Care is taken not to exclude any slower riders. 

Leisure Rides

60 – 80 km (35 – 50 miles) 18 km/h – 25km/h, Sunday morning 09:30 start from scheduled location

Aimed at the slightly fitter and more self reliant rider with some experience of group riding skills. But still well within the boundaries of most people. Again taking to the lanes of Wiltshire avoiding main roads wherever possible. These are longer routes and therefore enable routes to encompass some of Wiltshire’s great countryside and sights of interest. A pre-planned route sheet will be available at the start with a coffee stop mid way. Subject to numbers on the day these rides may break into faster and slower groups simply to ensure there are manageable numbers on the road. Traditional cycling club etiquette is encouraged at all times to ensure no one gets lost or in mechanical trouble.

Challenge Rides

100+ km (60+ miles) 22 km/h – 27 km/h (14 mph – 16 mph), Generally Sunday morning 09:00 start from scheduled location

Aimed at the more experienced rider capable of maintaining a steady pace over a longer distance. Still using quiet roads wherever possible. Traditional cycling club etiquette is encouraged at all times to ensure no one gets lost or in mechanical trouble. Usually the route involves a lunch stop but bring enough food for munching in the sadle and two drinks bottles are recommended. Good training for the sportive riders out there.

Chain Gang

60 km (40 miles) 28+ km/h (18+ mph), Saturday morning 09:30 starts from Cemetery Gates

A competitive training ride for those who wish to develop their fitness and higher speed group riding skills. Aimed primarily at those who are confident in their own ability and not only able to keep up and but take part in and lead. A 40 mile ride around Chippenham with ample opportunity to peel off if dropped by the main group. More information about riding the chaingang can be found here.

Preparation

Riding in a group has many advantages but it also places certain responsibilities on each rider. Punctures, mechanicals etc, whilst often bad luck, can be less of a trial if certain precautions are taken before the ride.

Make sure your bike is safe - check brakes, wheels, rims and steering. Also ensure that nothing is loose (especially mudguards) or liable to fall off. A lubricated chain etc is also a good idea. Check tyres for signs of excessive wear and sharp flint or glass embedded within. Worn tyres are the single biggest preventable cause of punctures. Correctly inflate your tyres for the conditions.

We also advise that you carry the following equipment:

  • At least one spare inner tube.
  • A working pump.
  • Puncture repair kit - for those awful days when spare tubes aren't enough.
  • Tyre levers.
  • A multi tool - to adjust gearsm saddle etc.
  • Other optional tools eg chain breaker and spare links.
  • Even in winter hydration is important so each rider should carry a water bottle.
  • Personal first aid - plasters, antiseptic wipes etc.
  • Money - for the cafe stop.
  • Waterproof as conditions can and will change.

You may also choose to bring a carbohydrate drink or solid carbohydrate source eg banana, raisins, jelly babies, energy bars, flapjacks, jaffa cakes,...

Please ride safely and predictably, with consideration for your fellow riders, and above all within the rules of the road. The club's reputation rests with all of us.

Individuals take part in any group rides at their own risk. Chippenham & District Wheelers and its club members accept no responsibility for the safety of anyone participating in group rides, and no liability in the event of an accident.

Details of our Club Rides are provided in our monthly newsletters or on the calendar section of the website (see links on the right hand side of the page).

Participation by non-members

The club weekend "easy", "family" and "leisure" rides are open to members only, however non-members can temporarily join the club for a day at a cost of £1. This transaction forms a contract whereby the non-member will be covered by the club's 3rd party insurance.