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Thinking of joining? Welcome to the Q. WILL I BE MADE WELCOME? Well we
are a like-minded jovial lot mainly in our 60s and 70s, we even have some
members in their 80s. Recently we have attracted some whippersnappers in
their 40s and 50s. Naturally friends and members of the same group of riders
usually sit together at elevenses and lunch but there are no cliques in the
club. The gang of seven (the nickname for the club committee) would frown on
that. We are proud to say that we're a fun loving and a
sociable, non-competitive lot. As one of our members you can easily sit
and make friends with anyone on our rides. So the answer is A RESOUNDING YES Q. CAN I KEEP UP? This question is much trickier. We organize club runs three times a week Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday. WEDNESDAY RIDES: Numbers can vary between 50 and 70 riders at elevenses.
However, we believe that we have something for everyone from complete
beginner to the ex racer who reckons he/she could ride a bike before they
could walk. We have 5 rides, Premier, A, B and C, and most weeks Gerry Kemp
takes a short leisurely D ride. Speeds
and distances from elevenses to lunch vary considerably. The list below gives you some idea of approximate speeds and distances. Premier ride is for those who really fancy their chances, Premiers ride as
fast as their legs will carry them, between 25 and 35 miles - average speed 16 mph. A
ride can be brisk at times, between 18 and 24
miles - average speed 14 mph. B
ride at a more modest pace, between 15 and 20 miles - average speed 12 mph. C
ride at a leisurely pace between 12 and
18 miles - average speed 10 mph. D ride
at a
more leisurely pace between 10 and 15
miles - average speed 8 mph. Naturally
depending on weather conditions our rides are shorter during the winter
months. If you are a beginner it is recommended that you ride with the
D group on Wednesdays. If you are not sure, it is better to ride
with a slower group. Then if you find yourself way out in front on the hills
you can always swap to a faster group at a later date. If you are interested
in joining us on a Wednesday ride just make yourself known to any of the
club committee or the group coordinators. They can advise you of the best group
to ride with. SATURDAY RIDES are organised with A and B rides, along similar lines to those on Wednesday. Numbers usually vary between eight and
twelve riders. If you fancy a Saturday ride then just ask to see Peter
Boden. Gerry
Kemp is your man if you like the idea of a SUNDAY
RIDE, which can attract up to twenty riders and proceeds at a
leisurely pace equivalent to a Wednesday D ride. Come and
meet us at elevenses or lunch - if you feel like it join us on a ride.
We meet at various cafes in the northwest To give you an idea of what's going on, you can
read the current issue of our quarterly magazine Spoke and the monthly News Letter. Whatever
your taste in cycling, you will find like-minded fellow-cyclists in the
Meridian CC. You are welcome to come and ride with us, but please
read our Club Rules first. Try one or two rides with us
without obligation. If after that you want to continue riding with
us you will be expected to join the club. In the interest of safety and peace of mind, all members must have BC or CTC third-party liability insurance. Click here for details, but you don't have to worry about this if you ride with us as a guest. This is because you are covered by the club's insurance for the first three rides. Click HERE now if you want to join the Meridian Cycling Club. See you up the road! Ray
Ransom (Club Captain) |