Club Group Rides
Group Rides are the heartbeat of our club; riding, socialising and drinking coffee after the ride puts smiles on our faces. Many riders are put off joining a cycling club by tales or hard-as-nails clubmen, novices being spat out of the back of training rides or unfriendly and intimidating attitudes. This couldn't be further from the truth, and joining Newbury Velo is one of the best ways to improve your cycling skills and fitness and find like-minded friends. Riding in a group is really the best way to progress your cycling. You'll learn how to ride safely and efficiently in a group, and it's far easier to head out for a winter training ride knowing you'll be with a group of mates rather than on your own. We have several groups heading out reflecting a range of abilities; read below to learn about our coffee class cycling groups that match the group's speed to ability. We ride on and off-road and are keen to recruit more off-roaders to take on our Dirty Chai rides, who will often venture further afield to far-off places like Swinley Forest for MTB or The New Forest for Gravel. We ride on Sundays and during the week, so you'll be sure to find a time that suits you.
If you are visiting West Berkshire from elsewhere in the country, or indeed the world, we’d love you to come and ride with us on a Sunday group ride. contact our participation leads to arrange your ride.
Sunday Group Rides
Our Sunday rides are set at our famous coffee class speeds
Our Sunday group rides are the most popular with members. They leave at 8:30am sharp from the Clocktower, which is at the north end of Northbrook Street in the centre of Newbury (Google Maps) (what3words location is ///credit.caring.vision). You are welcome to try a couple of rides with us before joining the club - but please email us before you turn up so that we can advise on the best group to join.
Instead of including a coffee stop mid-ride, we finish our rides at a café in Newbury, usually the Pineapple Cafe. This gives you the option of staying for a social catch-up over coffee and cake or heading off early if you have other commitments. We find this allows people to plan their day better and to be more likely to be able to ride on more Sundays.
Following a coffee theme, we run group rides for a wide range of abilities. You’ll find our group rides friendly and welcoming. You won’t be left behind, and there’s always a friendly hand to help fix a puncture. If you’re unsure which ride to join or are completely new to group riding, get in touch, and we’ll be happy to help you find the right Velo group for your first ride.
Whether you want to explore new places, need a reason to get out on your bike, or want to share a social ride with like-minded people, come and join a Newbury Velo group ride!
Routes typically finish at The Clocktower or the designated café, The Pineapple in Rowan Drive (what3words ///design.slick.saves), which is a particularly friendly place for cyclists and whilst other cafes are available, many of us will finish up at this excellent independent cafe at the end of our rides. They even offer a 10% discount for Newbury Velo Club members. And remember, if you’re feeling fit, you can ride a faster class, or if you’re a bit tired, step back a class; you don’t have to ride the same speed each week.
Saturday Group Rides
Steelie Rides
In addition to our traditional Sunday group rides, we have a small group of dedicated steel bike riders. They dust off their often vintage machines for a leisurely ride on a Saturday through the Spring and Summer. The emphasis is on nattering and riding to a pub for lunch, which usually involves a good-sized helping of fish and chips, washed down with some beer, in a glass with a handle! Our steelie riders even have their own vintage-inspired kit for 2024. Many of them have a few old bikes and are willing to lend them so others can realise that steel is, in fact, real!
Weekday Group Rides
Daytime and Evening Rides
Modern-day life is busy, and many people don't work a strict 9-5 day, have the luxury of flexitime, or enjoy retirement. We run daytime rides on Tuesdays and Fridays and evening rides on Wednesdays and Thursdays to accommodate as many members as possible.
The Tuesday and Friday daytime rides depend on the ride leader's availability or a group of members making arrangements to ride. We are looking to build our list of riders willing to help with these rides, so please let us know if you'd like to have a go at leading. Most weekday rides are at a Latte pace. All rides are non-drop rides and will be listed on Spond.
The Wednesday and Thursday evening rides happen from Spring to summer. Wednesday is a social ride, while Thursday is a faster chain gang workout.
Tuesday Mornings
On Tuesdays, there will be a 45-mile ride at Latte pace, leaving from the Starting Gate, Speen, at 9.15am. This sociable ride can have anything from two to six riders. Members can sign up on Spond. Be sure to check Spond to see if this ride is catered for.
Wednesday Evenings
Wednesday evening rides will meet at the Clocktower at 6.15pm every week once the clocks change, so we have enough light to complete a decent ride. Another Latte - Cappuccino paced ride that covers around 28 miles / 40km. This ride is ideal if you want to turn the pedals after work.
These lovely, balmy evening social rides enjoy the quieter lanes around Newbury. Popular with many riders. If the group has a mixed ability, we often split the group so that you can ride at your own pace. Members sign up on Spond.
Thursday Evenings
For those wanting to test themselves, the chain gang ride will deliver!
A chain gang is a group of cyclists in a close-knit formation, usually of two parallel lines drafting behind the leader. A chain gang or pace line. The formation comes from the fact that it is harder to cycle in front of a group than in the shelter of another rider. Riding through and off, also known as a chaingang or paceline, is a key skill in road racing as it allows you to go much faster than riding alone. Watch the British Cycling Video here on how to do it correctly.
If this is your first time riding a chain gang, we'll show you how. As with other evening rides, we may split the ride into two to allow riders to ride within their ability. Members sign up on Spond.
Friday Mornings
Beginners'/improvers' ride will set off from the Starting Gate at 09.15am. These rides usually commence in January and start with a 25-mile ride and gradually build the mileage throughout 6 to 8 weeks to 45 miles. Be sure to check Spond to see if this ride is catered for.
Mochaccino
11-13 mph / 18-20 kph ~2-2.5 hrs. Perfect for those new to group riding and anyone who wants a relaxing social ride. This is a no-drop ride; you’ll never be left behind.
Latte/Skinny Latte
14/15mph / 23 kph ~2.5-3 hrs. Slightly faster social ride for those who want a little longer in the saddle. Or try a Skinny Latte - the same pace, shorter ride. Both are no-drop rides.
Cappuccino
15-16 mph / 25 kph ~3 hrs. Faster and longer in the saddle for more experienced cyclists, This is a no-drop ride; you’ll never be left behind.
Machiatto
17-18mph / 28kph ~3 hrs Higher pace ride for fitter and stronger riders, typically taking faster roads than country lanes. This is a no-drop ride; you’ll never be left behind.
Espresso
20 mph+ / ~30 kph 2.5-3 hrs Training ride for experienced riders, which may not be run as a no-drop. You may be dropped from this ride if you can't keep up.
Dirty Chai
Off-road ride, 2-3 hrs. Off-road sections suitable for mountain or gravel bikes. This is a no-drop ride; you’ll never be left behind.