To help make our rides as enjoyable and as safe as possible we ask that you follow our little checklist.
Before The Ride:
Sutton Velo members wear helmets, our position is that those who ride with us do the same. To avoid the need to make the “call of shame home”, we encourage all riders to carry spare inner tubes, tyre levers, means of inflating the tyre and money for an emergency….oh, and did we mention we like coffee and cake!
We offer two routes for each ride: “Long Ride” and “Not-so-long Ride”. Please sign up to the most appropriate group for your own and others’ enjoyment. If you need help deciding which group please see our group ride details or contact us with any questions. We recommend riding within your capabilities on group rides.
Sutton Velo will assign a Road Captain for each group on each route to lead the peloton.
You will have access to the Sutton Velo WhatsApp group for final ride details and non-emergency contact but please bring details of a contact under ICE (In Case of Emergency) accessible on a phone or some kind of ID.
On The Ride:
On our Group Ride we go as fast as the slowest person. The pace and approach for rides are sustainable, inclusive and consistent pace, we are not racing and these are not training rides. Be prepared to stop if we get split at lights, get a puncture, or mechanical, and we are representing Sutton Velo and the wider cycling community so we are value and respect all other road users.
You must have a well maintained bike and bring a basic road side tool kit and a rear light on every ride
You are responsible for your own ride and must follow the Highway Code at all times
Turn up on time, 7:50am for an 8am start. Text the ride captain if you are running late or we will leave without you!
This is a social non-drop ride; we will be riding at the best sustainable pace for the group. If you are struggling on the ride don’t suffer in silence; let the ride leader know. We go as fast as the slowest person
Please follow the Road Captains’ directions for the safety and enjoyment of everyone on the ride. The Ride Captain will control the pace and direction to get everyone to the coffee stop at a similar time.
We aim for both Long Ride and Not-so-long Ride groups to be at the cafe together so it’s not a race! Let your ride leader set the pace
Remember group etiquette, hand signals, “stopping”, look before you change positions (see videos below)
It’s a coffee and cake ride, please don’t order hot food as service takes forever and delays your group!
Come dressed appropriately for the weather.
Enjoy the ride, tell ya mates, come back again.
Riding in a Group
You may want to look at the British Cycling website for tips about riding in groups or watch a couple of the videos below.
Important information about insurance
British Cycling (BC) membership and SuttonVelo’s affiliation means they are covered by the insurance detailed in the membership BC T&C. Please note the Fan and Bronze memberships do not offer any form of insurance. It’s all laid out here. We would encourage those riding regularly with SuttonVelo to become BC Members
Those without British Cycling membership and affiliation/membership to Sutton Velo but registered for the ride are riding as ‘Invitees’; details of this are described in the British Cycling Document
You are only covered by whatever personal insurance you may have. Please make sure you have the right cover in place before riding with Sutton Velo.