Rides

We typically meet outside Vutie Beets on the Wynd in Letchworth (free car park on Sundays) and head out for anywhere between 30-60km.

We plan a longer 100km+ run out roughly once a month as well.

Routes for the upcoming Sunday are agreed upon by members in the whatsapp group and published on the members section of this site ahead of time with downloadable gpx files.

Being a new club, we're still discovering all the best lanes, climbs, scenery so are always open to route suggestions!

How we ride

We are pretty flexible with the specifics around our ride to encourage as many people as possible to come and join us for an enjoyable journey out, but the below should give you some guidance as to what is typical.

Days

Sunday morning is our main ride. We do have ad-hoc rides throughout the week also.

Pace

Average is 25kmh (15mph) but happy going slower to make it enjoyable for all!

Time

Our Sunday ride starts early - anywhere between 6am & 8am to get back in time for other commitments.

Group Size

We are new, and still growing, but you can expect around 4 of us out each ride currently

Distance

Anywhere from 30-60km (15-40mi) is typical (1.5-3 hours).
We do monthly 100km+ rides.

Start Point

We depart from The Wynd outside Vutie Beets cafe in Letchworth

New to Group Riding?

If you've never been out in a group before, it can be daunting and its natural to feel a littler nervous. If you're new, announce yourself to the ride leaders and they'll give you some quick pointers, and be sure to look out for you. Below are also some top tips to keep in mind as well.

Communication

Be the eyes and ears of riders behind you. Use simple hand signals for turning left/right and stopping (a member can demonstrate). Verbally call out any hazards you see in the road like potholes or unexpected drains.

For traffic, we use 'car up!' for cars coming towards us, and 'car back' for traffic approaching behind.

There's no such thing as over-communication!

Predictability

The key to safe group riding is predictability. Try to avoid sudden braking or swerving.

When riding behind someone, avoid overlapping their back wheel with your front wheel (a key cause of accidents).

Until more comfortable with drafting, leave around a bike's length of space to give yourself time to react. Give each other a bit of breathing room.

There'll come a time when we'll work as a well-oiled paceline!

Its Not a Race

We operate a 'no-drop' policy on our Sunday spins which means we stick together.

The goal is to keep a pace where you can comfortably hold a conversation. If you're at the front, be mindful of the riders at the back and avoid surging in speed.

At hills, go your own pace, but we regroup at the top before pushing on.

We'll also look to run faster rides down the line where we can flex a bit!

Come Prepared

Before leaving the house, give your bike a quick ABC check: Air in the tyres, Brakes that work and a Chain that is in good shape.

Bring an inner tube that fits your bike, a small pump, and tyre levers just in case. Members will have theirs too, but come self-prepped.

And don't forget drink, a small snack for energy (even if you don't think you'll need it), your phone and some money for the all-important coffee shop!

Example Routes

A sample of where we've been

By no means extensive, here are some of the local loops we've explored since starting LGC Casuals Cycling Club

40km, 300m elevation

Henlow Well Loop

A fast, main road route heading to Henlow, Clifton and back through Ashwell and Baldock

70km, 515m elevation

Cowshed Cafe Loop

Heading out to the excellent Cowshed cafe in Bedfordshire via some great country lanes, before a fast return back via Henlow

28km, 300m elevation

Cromer Windmill

One of our shorter loops heading out South East through Baldock to Cottered and past Cromer Windmill. One great, short 9% climb to test the legs

40km, 450m elevation

Pegsdon Loop

South West via Hitchin taking in the lanes around the Pegsdon nature reserve. Includes Hexton hill (1.2km @ 6% with a 10% section)

32km, 350m elevation

Redhill out and back

A quicker spin going out via Baldock, half along a B road, half along a quiet but undulating country lane

60km, 533 elevation

Shepreth Loop

North East out via Ashwell, Steeple Morden and Shepreth and back.