To apply to become a member of any Cycling Group you must first become a member of our u3a. You can then log in to the Members Portal and join any group. If the group is currently full, you will need to join the Waiting List. We would be pleased if you would do this, since it is useful for us to know how many people are on Waiting Lists, to support our planning of how to accommodate those waiting as soon as we are able.

---

THE PROGRAMMES OF CYCLE RIDES

Please note that we ask you to agree to our Procedures later on in this document.

---

THE FOUR CYCLING GROUPS AND THEIR GROUP LEADERS

There are 4 Cycling Groups managed by the following lead Group Leaders (GLs):

Moderate Cycling Group: Konrad Balcerak, Thursdays every 4 weeks.
Challenging Cycling Group: Peter Saunders (lead GL), Thursdays every fortnight.
Strenuous Cycling Group: Paul Wilkin (lead GL) and Norman Garland, Thursdays every fortnight.
Sunday Cycling Group: Norman Garland, every fortnight.

---

MODERATE RIDES

Moderate Rides take place every four weeks on Thursdays during Summer Time i.e. generally towards the end of March until the end of October.

Moderate Rides generally have the following characteristics:
• distances between 20 and 30 miles
• height gains of less than 1400ft and/or
• height gains per mile of less than 60ft/ml.

Riders need to be proficient on their bikes and be able to ride for approximately 3 hours. Routes will be along cycle tracks and quiet unclassified back roads or ‘B’ roads wherever possible, most of which will be tarmac surfaces. However, some cycle tracks have hardcore surfaces and we may occasionally use gravel trails such as through wooded areas which are normally safe and solid. We do sometimes travel along short stretches of busy roads too, so all riders must feel comfortable riding in traffic.

We avoid slopes of 1 in 7 whenever possible and 1 in 5 slopes are not present in any of our routes. On steep hills going up, it is acceptable, even expected, that some riders will walk. We just stop, admire the view and take pictures and recover at the top, resuming the ride when everyone is ready.

We never leave people behind and assistance will be given in the case of mechanical breakdown and especially punctures. However, all members are encouraged to carry their own puncture repair outfit, spare inner tube and a pump. Most of our riders own electric bikes which of course makes everything easier.

CHALLENGING RIDES

Challenge rides take place fortnightly on Thursdays from Spring to Autumn. Please assume that everything that is written for Moderate Rides applies equally to Challenging Rides too with the following provisos/exceptions.

These rides are for experienced cyclists.  You will need to be reasonably fit and be able to ride for up to 40 miles at an average speed of 10mph. 

Challenging Rides generally have the following characteristics:
• distances between 20 and 40 miles
• height gains of less than 2000ft and/or
• height gains per mile overall of less than 100ft/ml.

We do our best to avoid slopes of 1 in 5 but you will meet slopes of 1 in 7.

STRENUOUS RIDES

These take place fortnightly on Thursdays generally between the end of March and mid-December i.e. on the Thursdays when Challenging Rides are not taking place. Please assume that everything that is written for Moderate and Challenging Rides applies equally to Strenuous Rides too, but you should additionally take note of what follows.

Strenuous Rides should be regarded as requiring more effort than Challenging Rides. Your level of cycling proficiency and experience will need to be at a high level. Very occasionally, a slope of 1 in 5 will be encountered. Slopes of 1 in 7 are common.

Challenging Rides generally have the following characteristics:
• distances between 20 and 40 miles
• height gains of more than 2000ft and/or
• height gains per mile of more than 100ft/ml.

SUNDAY RIDES

These rides can be Moderate or Challenging in nature. They are held fortnightly generally between the end of March and mid-December. The Rides Programme will detail whether the ride is considered to be Moderate or Challenging. Your cycling proficiency and experience will equate to the ride category in place on the day.

COMPARISON BETWEEN THE CYCLING GROUPS

Moderate, Challenging and Strenuous Rides take place on Thursdays
The ‘from/to’ figures are minimum and maximum

CYCLING GROUP	FREQUENCY	DISTANCE mls		GAIN IN HT		PACE mph
		FROM	TO	FROM	TO
Moderate	Every 4 weeks	20	30		1400	8
Challenging	Every 2 weeks	20	40		2000	10
Strenuous	Every 2 weeks	20	40	2000	3500	9
Sunday Cycling	Every Sunday	20	30		2000	8

---

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Introduction

All of our cycling routes are almost entirely on-road or designated cycle tracks. Many offer a simply jaw-dropping experience of unforgettable glorious scenery. We cycle for pleasure and for the enjoyment of cycling. Exercise, fresh air, being in the countryside and spending time amongst friends will improve physical fitness and have a positive effect on mental health.

The routes start at various destinations in Conwy, North Gwynedd, Anglesey and Denbigh although we venture into Flintshire, Cheshire and the Wirral too.

There will be occasions when a part of the ride may involve a gravel track, typically through a forest area. This will be indicated in the ride description under ‘Special Safety Issues’. Rides which involve a section of gravel, which will normally be quite solid in nature, would benefit from wider tyres of 38mm width or greater.

2. Further Details

The pace of rides could never be regarded as fast. Average speeds vary from 8mph to 10mph. So, as you can see, we are not in a race. We frequently appoint a Backmarker where numbers are greater than six with two-way radios provided for communication between the Ride Leader and the Backmarker.

We do not ride in hazardous conditions. We take account of the % chance of rain, wind speed and temperature before declaring that a ride will go ahead. There is a link to the Weather Chart we use later in this document.

The terms ‘Moderate’, ‘Challenging’ and ‘Strenuous’ were devised with reference to the use of non-electric road bikes and offer differing levels of challenge. However, it is noteworthy that most members of our Cycling Groups now make use of e-bikes, so the rides become easier of course when the motor is deployed. Our members often choose to make minimal use of the motor drive nevertheless in order to maintain maximum fitness. Some riders will use their road bike instead of their e-bike where the data would seem to indicate a less challenging route.

Full details of each ride can be seen within the Rides Programmes which are accessible from the links given above. The date, start location, arrangements for the lunch stop, where to park, some comments about the route and any special issues of safety are provided. A link to the café menu or to a relevant historical website may also be included. Occasionally, the route will include a short walk to visit a place of interest.

3. Identifying the effort needed on a ride

A substantial amount of information is available to you to help you decide on the level of difficulty for each ride. The ride length, height gain and the height gain per mile is given. A link to the ‘plotaroute’ website allows you to access the precise route taken. You can then examine the hill profile in height and % incline at any point along the route.

4. Procedures

a. Please read the documents

Anyone who attends a ride does so on the basis of their having read the document ‘Safe Cycling Guidelines’ and are prepared to comply with the advice contained there. You are asked especially to note the requirements of Section 2: ‘Good Cycling Practice’ and Section 3: ‘Care on steep hills’. You will find however, that what has been written in the guidelines is simply common sense and will no doubt reflect your existing good practice when cycling.

You are also required to agree with and comply with the statements contained in the Declaration. Here are the links to these two important documents:
• Safe Cycling Guidelines
• Declaration

You may also wish to read:

• Operation of the Cycling Groups
• Weather and whether we ride – a chart we use to help decision making based on rain forecast, temperature and wind speed.
• Road Cycling Routes in North Wales – this is a comprehensive document listing 60 or so of our rides, with descriptions, route maps and some of our favourite pictures.
• Notes to Accompany the Routes – to be read in association with ‘Road Cycling Routes in North Wales’.

b. Join the WhatsApp Group

All Cycling Group members must join their corresponding WhatsApp Group on their smartphone. This is the method by which they register their attendance on a ride. The WhatsApp facility will:
• allow each Group Leader to have an idea of how many riders to expect
• inform members that the ride will or will not take place subject to weather conditions on the day
• inform members at short notice about any unexpected changes
• allow members to keep in touch with each other about relevant issues where a ‘conversation’ between members is desirable e.g. sharing an opinion, car and rack sharing to the start point.
• allow a measure of control of the numbers attending if a limit has been placed on this.

c. Look for an email ride reminder

Reminders of a forthcoming ride and the ride details is communicated by email during the week that the ride is taking place. Links to the complete Rides Programmes are given above although sometimes, changes are necessary.

5. Risk Assessment

All routes are risk assessed by the Group Leaders. They identify risks which are unique to the route and any such special risks are documented under ‘SPECIAL SAFETY ISSUES’ within the Ride Description. Members are asked to recognise that all cycle rides involve an element of risk and this is why it is important to read ‘Safe Cycling Guidelines’. This document lists many of the risks which are common to all cycling routes and which members must take account of.

6. Queries

Please address any general queries about our Cycling Groups to the Cycling Overview Group Leader, Norman Garland.

You are also welcome to contact any Group Leader if you have any queries about the operation of a particular group that interests you.