Windrush Bike year 2019

The new year will bring lovely and exciting opportunities to ride our bikes and we have thought of a few things to make most out of it. The year will be packed with introduction sessions both on and off the track, talks, long and shorter club rides, punctuated by a couple of sportives and good old favorites, like cycling to Brighton. The aim is to have some fun and challenges for all members of the club, new and old, experienced and virgin, the only thing we can’t control will be the weather…

Club rides

These are un-coached rides, free rides with sign-up on the website.

We will aim to put entry level rides around Richmond Park and longer rides beyond the M25 at least once a month, which be lead either by one of the bike captains or other club members. These will include staplers like Easter Ride, going to Brighton, Box Hill and CAKE.

We may also revive the pre-work Richmond Park laps, tbc.

Skill sessions

These are coached session via the website, monthly weather permitting, to practice group riding skills, descending, bike handling, signals and other useful things.

Track

In addition to the coached Tuesday evening sessions at Herne Hill track, a track introduction session is held at the VeloPark on 30 January. A further club intro session at Herne Hill will also be organized for early 2019 (not required for coming to the Tuesday evening sessions).

Talks

We have two exiting talks lined up, one by ex-elite Irish road racer Louise Moriarty on racing and one from our own talented Haley and Rory on cross bike, bike packing and long-distance racing.

Sportives

The year has aplenty. The club favorites include:

• Hell of the Ashdown
• Tour of Wessex
• Ride of the Falling Leaves

Cycling Weekend

Something we would like to do, this involves traveling north to more exciting terrain for a long weekend of riding. Dates and venue to be announced, if we get our act together.

New to cycling?

Being new on two wheels can be incredibly daunting, as any old hand can tell, because they had been new to it once too. If the idea of just joining a longer club ride sounds a bit too much yet (all these people in lycra talking shop following some unwritten protocol, or so it seems), sign up for the skill sessions and beginner’s rides and soon you will find out we are just exchanging cake recipes and trying not to crash into one another.

(Dis)ability Cycling

We welcome all abilities of cyclists. If you have additional requirements to allow you to participate, please don’t hesitate to contact our head coach under coaching@windrushtri.co.uk.

AOB

• Our Windrush favorite route data base is still under development on RideWithGPS, but should come live sometime in 2019.
• There will be various racing activities by club members over the year, check out the London’s Women’s league, Full Gas series at the Velopark, and check out the Cycling Time Trials website, for which we have a membership.
• Bike maintenance courses with Balfe’s Bike. After a successful run in Autumn 2018, we will look in getting a repeat in 2019.
• For dates, signups and informal group rides, keep an eye onto the MyClubhouse website, the forum and the What’sApp cycling chat group.

And a final word

If in doubt with any kit or mechanics, visit Balfe’s Bike shop, one of our great sponsors, get a discount and the best service in London.

Your bike captians Jack and Gesine