The meet point for rides is the car park at the junction of the bottom of Miers Court Road and the A2 Rainham High Street, the closest postcode for this location is ME8 8AT, and rides depart promptly at 9am. Saturdays are the longer ride, Sundays the social ride.

Club rides are a benefit for current club members, non members who are considering joining the club can ride up to six times before deciding to commit to club membership. If they then decide club membership is not for them, or allow their membership to lapse, they are requested to not participate in club rides.

Club Runs

A social group ride with a café stop on each Saturday and Sunday of every month.

• Expect a speed of 23-25kph (15-17mph), but this would be a “No Drop” ride = going at the pace of the slowest rider
• Riders who plan to peel off early should inform the leader. There will be a Rider briefing at start.
• Club Run etiquette is listed below.
• No U12s riders. U18 riders are welcome if accompanied by a person with parental responsibility. Accompanying riders who are not club members (parents/partners) are welcome by prior agreement with rider leader.
• Helmets are strongly recommended for all riders and are required for U18s.
• Riders must be self-sufficient and carry their own repair kit (inner tubes, tyre levers, pump, multi-tool, money, food, water) + charged mobile phone with I.C.E. numbers pre-programmed. Asthmatics should always carry prescribed medicines (inhalers).
• Riders must have third-party insurance (BC, CTC, etc).
• Covid: Please do not attend the ride if you have any cold- or flu-like symptoms. Any rider who later tests positive for Covid must notify the club.
• If on the rare occasion no other members join the ride, then a Junior/Juvenile member(s) will be unable to ride alone with the ride leader and the ride will be postponed. 
• If the club run rules cannot abided by (in particular the requirement to have a ride leader, and all riders to have third party insurance) then the ride will be considered not to be sanctioned by the club.

Club Run Etiquette

• Bikes must be roadworthy (see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/annex-1-you-and-your-bicycle)
• Follow the Highway Code. (see https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/rules-for-cyclists-you-and-your-bicycle.html)
• Please read the risk assessment for club road rides before taking part.
• Be respectful to other road users.
• Riding two-abreast is perfectly acceptable where conditions allow and can be easier for drivers to overtake than a long single line.
• Communication is key to riding in a group. Point and call out potholes and other hazards to riders in the group, especially when on the front. Use hand signals and pass the information down through the group.
• Typical calls include hole (pot hole), car front (coming towards the group), car back (behind), passing (vehicle); (hazard) on your left / right; easy (slow down), single out (adopt a single line) or change (riders rotate one place in the group).
• Do not ride erratically or brake sharply in the group unless absolutely necessary, ensure that you have room to move to the side of the rider in front in the event of a rapid slow down.
• Be aware that a slowing group often gets wider. Always look ahead past the riders in front and try to anticipate slowing.
• If stopping for puncture, mechanical problems or a rest, make the group aware and get everyone completely off the road and wait in a safe place.
• Keep you pace steady, ride conservatively and consistently.
• When changing lines at the front, do so smoothly and avoid accelerating too hard when moving to the front from the second rider inline.
• Try to avoid overlapping the wheel in front.
• Do not “Half-Wheel” – this is where the rider at the front of the inside line keeps or increases pace with the outside line preventing the rider on the outside line from coming through easily.  This increases the pace of the group.
• Be aware of riders who may be struggling or who have been dropped and communicate this to the group so you can slowdown and wait.
• Do not use clip on tri bars or TT bikes in group rides. You do not have adequate braking control when using TT bars and they are dangerous in the event of a crash.
• Do not use mobile phones or earphones when riding
• Treat all other road users with respect and pay particular attention to pedestrians and horses. Even if you think a motorist is in the wrong remain calm and try and see things from their perspective too. 
• In the event of a mechanical or puncture, the group will stop with the rider for as long a reasonable until the problem is either fixed or alternative arrangements are made.

(Etiquette content borrowed with thanks from VC Revolution)