Cycling out of West London

into
Hertfordshire and the Chilterns

You have a bike and would enjoy the company of other cyclists who like fresh air, some exercise, the pleasure of country lanes and a laugh or two.

But you don't know where to go or who to go with.

Then come and try one of the local sections of the Cyclists' Touring Club operating out of West London.

We are organised groups of leisure cyclists with an informal programme of events, making the most of the countryside, companionship and a healthy lifestyle. See the CTC's advice on cycling in a group.

Tempted? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions:

How do you operate?
The backbone of our activities is the Sunday clubrun. We start off in a bunch but no-one minds if a rider chooses to peel off at either the traditional mid-morning coffee stop or after lunch. There are also regular Wednesday rides and many weekends away - often on bank holidays. We also organise more competitive events as part of the CTC Tourists' Competition, most of these are also part of the Audax UK calendar. These events challenge you to extend your distances and test your self sufficiency (the shorter ones are great social occasions too).

So I don't have to commit myself to a long ride on a club run?
Certainly not. Some people stay out all day, enjoying lunch at a country pub. Others bring a picnic in the summer. Some ride regularly, others according to the weather or free time. It is often possible to take a train to meet the ride at elevenses and/or train home again after lunch.

How far do you go?
This varies according to the season and the group you ride with. A day-ride with the Edgware section is normally about 60/70 miles. If that sounds a long way, remember there's no compulsion. Turning back after elevenses might mean a round trip of 30 miles or so. The Uxbridge Loiterers, as their name suggests, organise much shorter and slower rides, better suited to a newcomer. The West Middlesex section rides fall somewhere inbetween.

Do you go fast?
Experienced cyclists become used to riding quicker than those who just trundle to the shops. But we are not Tour de France racers. We try to encourage newcomers and be kind to them on hills. And practice makes perfect. After a few weeks, novices tend to stop noticing the pace or dreading the hills. Until that happy day, we will wait for you.
If you are interested in racing then you should contact the Westerley Road Club

How do you cope with traffic?
There is no complete answer of course. The experienced cyclists who lead the clubruns are adept at finding quiet lanes and bridleways to avoid the main roads. You will learn a lot about covering even your nearby countryside.

Does it matter what sort of bike I ride?
Absolutely not, though for your own safety and that of others it must be roadworthy. The rest of the group will appreciate the use of mudguards in wet weather. Don't forget spare inner tubes and puncture repair equipment, though experts will help. And do bring lights in the winter as we sometimes get home after dark.

Do you ride offroad?
Rarely. We mostly ride on quiet roads and lanes but may occasionally take a bridlepath if the surface is good. If you are interested in offroading you could join our two offroad DATC/Audax rides, in Spring from Chalfont St Peter and in the Autumn from Brickendon. These are good opportunities to meet other local offroaders.

Do I have to wear a helmet?
Our advice is yes, but it is up to you. Perhaps youngsters should be encouraged to wear one because accidents may happen, especially when people are inexperienced at cycling in a group. Many of us wear them.

How old must I be?
There is no upper limit - we have several veterans who cycle consistently. We have to be careful about youngsters, because of the risks on the roads. We like to see pre-teens, but only in the company of a responsible adult.

So I'm not too old to ride a bike again?
So long as you are normally healthy, medical experts agree that cycling will do you nothing but good. But take it easy at first. Educate your muscles steadily and after the initial aches you'll start enjoying using your legs and breathing real oxygen. We have some regular riders who had a gap of up to 30 non-cycling years.

I'm a woman. Am I welcome?
About a quarter of our present membership are women. Few would regard themselves as particularly athletic but they have learned that cycling is a knack and doesn't require brute strength.

What is the Cyclists' Touring Club?
CTC, the national cyclists' organisation, is the UK's largest and oldest cycling body with more than 70,000 members and affiliates. CTC was formed in 1878 and works for all cyclists, protecting cyclists' right to use the roads, working for improved offroad access and for better public transport links.
Members enjoy free third-party insurance cover, legal and technical advice, route and travel information and access to more than 200 local groups and national and regional CTC events.
Membership costs from £10 per year. For further information, call the CTC helpline on 0870 873 0060 or email CTC. To join, call the membership hotline on 0870 873 0061.

What do you do when you're not on your bikes?
Some of the sections have a regular clubroom night - see Local Sections for details

Could I talk to someone before coming out?
With pleasure. The section secretaries will answer any queries and offer advice. They all have years of cycling experience behind them, from which you could benefit. Come on in and change your weekends.

Will it cost much?
Try us first for free. After 5 or 6 rides we would ask you to join the CTC (annual membership from £10).