Ride Guidance

Cheltenham CTC is a friendly cycling club based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, affiliated to Cycling UK.

This page explains how our rides work. It covers the rules for everyone who rides with us, a guide for new riders, and what we expect from ride leaders. Jump to the part that's most useful to you:

General Guidance

Our rides programme

Our rides are planned by the Runs Committee and put together by the Runs Secretary. They're listed on our rides list, which is made available to members in advance each quarter.

Committee members also share a list of future ride dates and destinations, and ask members to volunteer to lead them.

Have an idea for a destination or a stop? Get in touch with the Runs Committee or the Runs Secretary. We'd love to hear it.

Ride types and speeds

We run several types of ride to suit different riding styles. Which rides go ahead depends on support from members.

The speeds below are a guide only. They don't include time spent stopped for elevenses or lunch, and terrain and weather make a difference too.

Group Average speed Sunday Tuesday Evening Hills
A 14-18 mph 70 to 100+ miles – 20 to 30 miles Riding all hills
B 11-15 mph 60 to 90 miles 40 to 60 miles 18 to 25 miles Riding almost all hills
C 10-13 mph 50 to 80 miles 40 to 60 miles 15 to 20 miles Riding most hills
  • Vehicle-assisted rides may also be arranged.
  • E-bikes (electrically assisted bikes) are welcome on all rides.
  • Thursday and Friday rides are self-led. You ride to a cafe meeting destination.

Riding safely in a group

Please follow these rules when you ride in a group. They keep everyone safe, including you.

  • Follow the Highway Code and the law. Never ride more than two abreast. Bunching up causes most accidents, as riders on the inside have nowhere to go if something goes wrong.
  • If the group should single out for safety or to let traffic past, call SINGLE OUT.
  • Ride safely and courteously towards other riders and road users. If needed, pull off the road at a safe place to let traffic pass.
  • Use a roadworthy bike. Help is readily given if anyone has a mechanical problem.
  • Fit full-length mudguards and a rear mudflap. If you don't have them, be prepared to ride at the back of the group if asked.
  • We recommend carrying a drink, a tool kit, spare inner tube(s), a pump, a basic first aid kit, map(s) of the area, waterproofs if needed, and food, drink and money for emergencies.
  • Use lights after lighting-up time or in poor light, including fog. If you have a flashing rear light and riders are behind you, set it to constant.
  • Pass on warnings of manoeuvres and hazards such as parked vehicles, horses, holes and drains, and make sure they reach riders up and down the group. The common calls are:
    • CAR UP (also "Car back" or "Oil up"): a vehicle is coming up from behind. If SINGLE OUT is also called, the inside rider moves forward in front of the rider on their outside.
    • CAR DOWN (also "Car front" or "Oil down"): a vehicle is coming towards you. Don't drift towards the centre of the road or try to overtake.
    • HOLE LEFT, HOLE RIGHT or just HOLE: a pothole or debris. UNDER means a bad road surface.
    • TURNING LEFT or TURNING RIGHT: if the call or hand signal is given, pass the message back. Not everyone in a group will see or hear it.
    • EASY: slow down.
    • STOPPING: don't stop instantly. Give the riders behind time to react.
  • Help the ride leader by letting them know if anyone is being left behind. Call OFF THE BACK or PUNCTURE, or let them know if someone has stopped for a call of nature.
  • If you go past the leader, be aware they might be about to turn left or right, so stay within earshot. If you overtake the leader, you take responsibility if you get lost.
  • Don't use headphones or earbuds when riding in a group.
  • For your own safety, and to help the leader if you have an accident, carry some personal identification and your next-of-kin contact details. Setting up an ICE (In Case of Emergency) contact on your phone is also a good idea.

Remember, the safety and progress of the group depend on calls being passed through the group.

Taking part

  • Everyone needs to decide for themselves whether the weather is suitable for their ability.
  • You decide whether you are fit enough to ride on the day.
  • Riders who aren't Cycling UK members are welcome to ride with the group. We expect such riders to join Cycling UK after three rides.
  • If more than 10 riders turn up, the ride leader should consider splitting into two (or more) smaller groups.

Riders under 18

Riders under 18 need to follow these rules:

  • Before the ride, present the ride leader with a Parental Consent form. The leader needs to be happy that the parent understands what the ride involves and that the young rider is able to manage it.
  • One Parental Consent form can cover several rides of a similar type, but it isn't blanket permission for every ride.
  • Riders under 18 can't take part in rides that go into the hours of darkness.
  • Riders aged 13 to 17 can ride unaccompanied.

No one is ever left behind

If you'd like to leave a ride early, that's your choice. You will never be left behind. See the ride leader guidance for what happens if a rider decides to leave.

New Rider Guide

This section is for anyone thinking about riding with us for the first time. It covers what to bring, how our trial rides work, where we meet and what to expect on the day. For the group riding rules and ride speeds, see the general guidance above.

What to bring

Most riders bring a few essentials, and we'd suggest you do the same:

  • A safe, roadworthy bicycle. You'll need one to start out (see riding safely in a group).
  • A helmet, which we'd suggest you wear.
  • A pump, a spare inner tube and a puncture repair kit.
  • Water and some food for the ride.
  • A waterproof jacket, as the weather in Gloucestershire can change quickly.
  • A charged phone, with an ICE (In Case of Emergency) contact set up.

Lights and high-visibility clothing are useful in the darker months and on evening rides.

Choosing a ride group

Depending on numbers, a ride may run as three or more groups according to ability. Our groups are A, B and C, and each has an average speed range, listed in the ride types and speeds table.

The ranges overlap, so if you fall between two groups, either one may suit you. If you're new to group riding, start with the group that matches your usual average speed, and choose a shorter ride while you get used to riding in company.

Start times and destinations are on the rides page, and you can also see dates on the rides calendar. Check the start time before you set out.

Your first three rides

We are happy for prospective members to ride up to three rides with us before they join. To try a ride, check the rides page for what's on, then get in touch through the contact form. We'll put you in touch with the ride leader, so you're well looked after.

Joining: Cycling UK membership

Cheltenham CTC is affiliated to Cycling UK, and you join the club by becoming a Cycling UK member. You can find out how to join on the Cycling UK website.

Membership is required to ride with us once your trial rides are over, and it covers ride insurance.

Once you've joined, let us know your Cycling UK membership number. Cycling UK does not share member details with us, so we need to hear from you directly. You can read more about the club and membership on the about page.

Where we meet

Most rides start from the Ice Cream Hut (ICH) on Central Cross Drive, Pittville Park, Cheltenham GL52 2DX. Open the meeting point in Google Maps.

The exception is our cafe meet-ups, where riders make their own way to the cafe. Times and destinations for each ride are on the rides page and the rides calendar.

Last-minute changes, including cancellations due to the weather, are posted in our members' WhatsApp community and Facebook Group.

What happens on a first ride

We'd suggest arriving a little before the start time, so you have time to say hello and find the ride leader.

Let the ride leader know it's your first ride, so they can look out for you.

Most riders stay with their group, and you can always tell the ride leader if you'd like a rest or want to ride at a different pace.

Rides are a social occasion, and most riders chat as they go.

Ready to try a ride?

Take a look at the rides page to see what's on, or check the rides calendar for dates. When you're ready, get in touch and we'll put you in touch with a ride leader.

Ride Leader Guidance

As a ride leader, you have a duty of care towards the riders. Take reasonable steps to make sure the safety and enjoyment of everyone on the ride, and of the public, has been considered.

  • Plan your route in advance, taking into account the type of ride and the people likely to be riding it. A list of cafes is available from the Secretary.
  • Try to leave the start promptly, reach elevenses by 11am and stop for lunch around 1pm.
  • The weakest rider sets the pace of the group, so check from time to time that you're not dropping people off the back. Other riders should help by letting you know if people fall behind. We strongly recommend an experienced rider at the back of the group to help keep everyone together.
  • Spot any new riders and introduce them to other members. Check they understand group riding etiquette and how to communicate on the ride.
  • If you can't lead your ride, try to find another leader and let the Runs Secretary know.
  • Make sure you have contact details for every rider. Ideally this is a mobile phone number. If not, use a common messaging service such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. This lets you reach any rider who gets detached from the group.
  • If a rider won't share their details, make clear to them that they may be unreachable if they get separated from the group.
  • If a rider says they may leave, or that the ride should carry on without them, first check whether you can change the ride to suit their ability. You could also ask an experienced rider to help them.

A rider may choose to leave the ride, but they are never left behind. Before a rider leaves, make sure:

  • they have the knowledge and resources to get home
  • they are leaving, not being left behind
  • they aren't separating because they feel they're holding the group back or aren't welcome