Programme of activities

The club runs a comprehensive programme of events wth a regular pattern from week to week. The range of activities varies between winter and summer seasons. The club calendar shows all the scheduled events, usually for the forthcoming two months. Use the links from this page to find out more about the level of ability required to take part in an event, whether it is a competitive activity or whether pre-registration is required.

All the club events are only possible through the support of many volunteers. Please offer you assistance to marshal, lead a ride, bake a cake and ensure the fantastic events continue to be successful.

Risk and ride cancellation

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. Riders have different levels of risk acceptance and perceptions of what constitutes good and bad conditions. Each rider must make their own decision as to when it is appropriate to ride and when it is sensible to stay indoors. Members are also reminded that whilst conditions in one town or village might be acceptable, these conditions can quickly change within a few miles, especially where ice is concerned.

In the event of a scheduled ride being cancelled due to bad weather, the process will be to clearly mark the event on the web site calendar as “cancelled“. The message may also be put out using social media feeds or closed group messaging services. Feel feee to pass the message on to friends who you may have been meeting with to ride.

Participation by non-members

The club weekend “easy” and “leisure” rides are open to members only. Non-members can join a ride to try it out. Speak with the rider leader on the day, introduce yourself and ask for more information.

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. Also consider the conditions and do not attempt to ride in unsuitable conditions (icy conditions, very high winds, etc).

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.

Ensure you are wearing suitable clothing for the conditions. There is a vast range of cycling clothing available to suit all sizes, experiences and budgets. In general, a good pair of cycling shorts is essential to protect the rider-bike interface and ensure smooth physical movement. Cycling specific shoes provide much more efficient riding than trainers, think of it like going mountaineering with the correct boots on. Base layers are recommended to help keep you warm in the winter but help wick sweat away in the summer. An additional protection layer is also useful in the unfortunate case of crashing. Cycling jerseys, gilets, mitts and gloves all have a role, check out the range of club branded equipment that is available. Waterproofs are very important as weather can quickly change (wind and rain) and you could be stopped mending a puncture getting very cold quickly.

We also advise that you carry the following equipment:

• At least one spare inner tube, ideally two.
• A working pump.
• Puncture repair kit – for those awful days when spare tubes aren’t enough.
• Tyre levers.
• A multi tool – to adjust gears, saddle etc.
• Other optional tools eg chain breaker and spare links.
• Even in winter, hydration is important so each rider should carry one or more water bottles.
• Personal first aid – plasters, antiseptic wipes etc.
• Money – for the cafe stop or emergencies.
• Waterproof as conditions can and will change.
• Working lights (front and back) on bike if starting early or in poor visibility conditions, also if intending to return in the dark.

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