{"id":175264,"date":"2019-09-06T09:42:00","date_gmt":"2019-09-06T09:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/?p=175264"},"modified":"2019-09-06T09:42:00","modified_gmt":"2019-09-06T09:42:00","slug":"everything-you-need-to-know-to-start-your-own-cycling-group","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2019\/09\/06\/everything-you-need-to-know-to-start-your-own-cycling-group\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know to Start Your Own Cycling Group"},"content":{"rendered":"

Like most things in life, cycling is better with friends. Yet depending on where you live and what your cycling schedule is like, it can be a challenge to find a group to ride with on a regular basis. So if you\u2019ve searched your area high and low but can\u2019t find a group that suits your needs, why not start your own? It\u2019s actually a lot easier than you might expect, plus it\u2019s pretty rewarding to build your own community of support and motivation from scratch. Here\u2019s everything you need to get started.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Benefits of a cycling group<\/strong><\/h2>\n

First and foremost, creating your own group means it\u2019s easier to find people to ride with who share your passion for cycling, whatever your style may be. You\u2019ll also have the satisfaction of bringing together like-minded people, and might even end up making some lifelong friends. Groups also provide the opportunity to share knowledge and work towards improving skills in riding, technical ability, navigation, organising, and more. You also get to set the tone of the action and choose a group name that reflects what matters to you most about the sport you love.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/B1O5-TQoj56\/<\/p>\n

Types of cycling groups<\/strong><\/h2>\n

To get things going, the first thing you need to do is outline exactly what kind of cycling group you want to create. If you\u2019re just looking to provide a space for people to get together and ride, you want to start a social cycling group. These exist primarily to put on leisure rides and social events and may be based in a particular town or city. They tend not to organise competitive events such as racing or time trialling.<\/p>\n

Or maybe you\u2019re looking to build a safe space for a group currently underrepresented in cycling, whether that be women or an ethnic minority. In this case, you can set up a women\u2019s or community cycling group. These are groups that are formed in areas of identified need and that cater to a particular group of people. In the event that you\u2019re eager to do a charity ride but want a support system to train and ride with, you can create a group focused around a particular event. Ultimately, you can make it whatever you want, but the clearer the vision, the more likely you are to find the right people to join.<\/p>\n

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The Veteran Cycle Club 60th anniversary bike ride from Herne Hill Velodrome to the Design Museum.\u00a0(London, Britain) \u00a9 Profimedia, Shutterstock Editorial<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Writing your group\u2019s constitution<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Once you\u2019ve got that established, it\u2019s time to create a constitution. Despite the fancy word, this is really just a document that contains the basic information about, and rules of, your group. Here you can have fun thinking of a name and outlining the purpose or what you hope to accomplish. It is also important to include what kind of cycling you\u2019ll be doing and who the group is aimed at. Don\u2019t forget to mention details like whether or not you will charge a fee to join and if you\u2019re planning to have a committee to run things and how often it will meet, how it will be voted in and so on.<\/p>\n

If you do decide to elect a committee, which will make it a lot easier to stay organised depending on the scope of group you hope to have, you\u2019ll need to delegate a few roles. These typically include chair, secretary, and treasurer. The committee may also cover roles such as publicity, membership, rides secretary, social events, club kit and welfare. There are plenty of resources available online with structural templates or drafts of any documents you may require.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/B0bk3wto69D\/<\/p>\n

Now to get to the actual cycling<\/strong><\/h2>\n

With the paperwork and bureaucracy out of the way, it is time for the really fun stuff. Once you generate a bit of interest, you can decide if you\u2019ll have a regular meeting place and day, who will lead the rides and whether you\u2019ll organise social events as well. Members might be intimidated to lead rides at first, but you can support and encourage one another, while also making use of the many best practice resources available from existing groups or clubs. When working out the route, be sure to account for distance, terrain, traffic, refreshments, toilets, points of interest, weather and the ability of the riders. Keep in mind that the more information you can provide in advance, the more likely people are to show up.<\/p>\n

Spreading the word<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Speaking of having people show up, now that you\u2019ve got a basic understanding of who and what your group is, it\u2019s time to share your vision with the community. For this you can use a Facebook page, a website, Meetup or a combination of these. Reach out to people who you think might be interested and ask them to promote the group to their community of friends, you never know who might be harbouring secret cycling ambitions.<\/p>\n

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Fear is the number one factor keeping people off bicycles. Fear of traffic, of falling on grating tarmac, and fear of the open road, are all worries that fill minds of beginners. Eradicate these cycling worries by taking your best friend on a short, safe ride.\u00a0\u00a9 Profimedia, Caia Image<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A little patience can go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Most importantly, remember that building something takes time and that it\u2019s ok if things start off slow. Be patient with yourself, those around you and don\u2019t forget that consistency is key. Try to be open-minded and welcoming to newer riders. That being said, you do have a responsibility to the other riders and the public, so if you think someone may endanger themselves or someone else, it\u2019s ok to have a word or express that this might not be the group for them. Overall, just lead by example and at the end of the ride, thank people for coming and let them know details of the next gathering. Stay positive, keep riding, and enjoy the process of watching your group come together!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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