The weekly club runs are a key part of the club. There are three rides a week all departing at 9.15am. The Thursday and Sunday rides go from the small car park opposite Madgetts Cycles, Shelfanger Road, Diss, and the pacier shorter Saturday ride goes from the Market Place in Eye. On a Sunday, the nominated Ride Leader will decide the route for the day and we ride between 50-70 miles at 15-18mph depending upon the group size, the time of year and the weather, leaving at 9.15am. Late morning we will all meet up at a café for refreshments and the inevitable chat about all things cycling (as you do). Having re-fuelled and swapped tales we head back to Diss enjoying the beautiful Norfolk & Suffolk countryside as we go. On the first Sunday of each month, we do a shorter and slower 50 mile at 15 mph ride.
The Thursday morning ride, leaves at 9.15am from the same meeting point. This ride tends to be at more steady pace.
The Saturday training ride, leaves at 9.15am from Eye Market Place, and follows the same 29 mile circuit from Eye each week. This is an organised training ride averaging between 19 and 22 mph in the summer months and a slower pace in the winter.
New members are very welcome on all our runs but we would encourage inexperienced riders to join one of the touring pace club runs held on the first Sunday of every month in order to gain some miles in the saddle and experience of riding in a group before riding on a general club run. We look forward to seeing you soon.
I’d like to come but will I keep up?
If you’re interested in coming on a club ride but are concerned about the distance and pace then it’s well worth bearing in mind that you will go a lot further and faster when cycling in a group than cycling on your own. If you can ride at 15mph for, say, 30 to 40 miles then you’ll be fine on a normal club ride.
If you’d like to look at the detail of some of our rides then these should give you a reasonable idea:
- A fast(ish) ride : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/381485038 – they very rarely get more pacey than this.
- A steadier ride : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/381538641 – which is perhaps more typical.
What Sort of Bike Do I Need?
Most road bikes will do. There certainly are lots of pricey, carbon fibre bikes out on the roads these days and you’ll see a few flash machines on the club runs but there are plenty of regular models too so please don’t feel you need anything too special, particularly if you’re just getting into road cycling. If you’ve not bought a bike yet then the best advice is to figure out your budget and then go and chat to someone in your local bike shop. They will be able to advise you on the right size and style of bike to get.
Diss Cycling Club 