Choosing Your Ride
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The London Cycling Club's Sunday touring club rides are a cherished tradition among members, offering three distinct group speeds to accommodate cyclists of all levels: social, A, and B. These rides are the cornerstone of our club's activities, providing opportunities for camaraderie, exercise, and exploration of the region's scenic routes. Each ride typically culminates in a delightful stop at a coffee shop, Tim Hortons, or restaurant, where riders can refuel and socialize. For many members, these outings are akin to a sacred weekly ritual, fostering a sense of community and shared passion for cycling.
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Gravel Riding
Gravel riding is a dynamic and expanding discipline within the London Cycling Club. These rides involve navigating unpaved roads and trails on bikes designed to handle varied terrain, offering a unique blend of adventure and exploration away from car traffic.
When We Ride: We offer gravel rides on two Wednesday evenings per month and most Saturdays throughout the club season. Join us as we discover new paths and landscapes while pushing our limits in nature!
Equipment & Recommendations
To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, we have the following guidelines:
Tires: We recommend a tire width between 32mm and 50mm. While 32mm is the minimum, we strongly suggest 35mm or wider, as surfaces can change quickly and may be freshly graded.
Bike Type: While gravel bikes are traditional, drop-bar handlebars are not required.
Mountain Bikes: Mountain bikes are welcome on our gravel rides. However, please note that due to increased resistance, you likely need to be a stronger-than-average rider to maintain the group's pace.
Our Ride Philosophy
We prioritize inclusivity and solidarity. To ensure nobody is left behind, our group rides at the pace of the slowest rider, fostering a supportive atmosphere where everyone can thrive. If the group is large enough and we have supporting ride leaders, we may organize split groups based on different skill levels to better cater to our diverse community.
Mountain Biking & Fat Biking
For those looking to push their limits on even more technical off-road trails, the London Cycling Club has a dedicated group for mountain biking and fat biking adventures.
These rides focus on conquering local trail systems and navigating more rugged terrain than our standard gravel routes. Unlike our scheduled gravel outings, these are currently coordinated as ad-hoc rides based on trail conditions and member interest.
Get Involved
For those interested in exploring off-road trails further, we have a dedicated group that coordinates ad hoc fat-bike and mountain-bike rides. If you'd like to join our mountain biking and fat biking adventures, please reach out to be added to the contact list. Join us as we conquer new terrain and embrace the thrill of gravel riding together!
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The London Cycling Club's Women on Wheels (WOW) Rides offer a vibrant and empowering space for women cyclists to come together and thrive. Held on Wednesday evenings throughout our regular season, these rides provide a safe, friendly, and supportive environment for women of all skill levels to enjoy cycling. Originally launched as a platform for women to encourage each other, build skills, and foster fitness, WOW has evolved into a dynamic community where laughter, growth, and camaraderie flourish. Whether you're a seasoned rider or new to cycling, joining WOW promises an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and embrace the joy of cycling together. To RSVP and be part of this exciting journey, simply email your name and phone number to info@londoncyclingclub.com, expressing your interest in joining LCC WOW.
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Rider Development Group (RDG) rides take place every Thursday and are designed to help riders learn how to ride safely and confidently in a group. RDG is not about speed - it’s about meeting new people, having fun, and building confidence in a supportive, low‑pressure environment.
Rides are approximately 20 km and are led by an experienced Ride Leader. Each ride is part of a rotating four lesson cycle, with every week focusing on a different set of group riding skills such as riding smoothly as a group, navigating urban environments, and using energy efficient riding techniques. Together, these lessons help prepare riders to confidently participate in the club’s longer weekend touring rides.
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London Cycling Club's Remote Start Rides offer a delightful twist to our regular cycling excursions. These rides commence from the outskirts of London or even from neighboring towns, infusing our cycling adventures with a refreshing change of scenery. By venturing beyond our usual starting points, we unlock new routes and picturesque landscapes that add an extra dimension to our rides. These remote start locations allow us to explore diverse terrain and discover hidden gems that might otherwise remain unexplored. Typically planned during holiday long weekends, these rides promise memorable experiences and exciting opportunities for exploration. Join us as we embark on journeys that transcend boundaries and embrace the thrill of discovery together.
At London Cycling Club, we offer a variety of rides to cater to different preferences and skill levels. Our Sunday rides are divided into three classifications - A and B and social providing options for both seasoned cyclists and those seeking a more relaxed pace. Additionally, during the shoulder season, we organize gravel rides on Saturdays, perfect for exploring off-road adventures.
In 2023, we introduced our rider development group and LCC Women on Wheels (LCCWOW) ride as pilot programs. The positive feedback and enthusiasm from participants have led us to formally launch these programs in 2024. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive cycling community, aiming to welcome new riders and help them build their skills and confidence on the road. Join us for an exciting and diverse range of rides as we continue to grow and evolve our offerings.
General Guidance
Most of our rides are 'no drop' (no one’s left behind). You will be looked after by the ride leader(s) throughout the ride should you struggle with the pace or have a mechanical issue. Even on “drop” rides, no rider will intentionally be left behind, due to a mechanical or physical issue. It is our experience that riders will drop back and assist someone in distress or struggling.
If you find yourself in-between groups, then go out with the slower group and work on strength, take longer turns at the front (other riders will appreciate it and you’ll get stronger). Work on keeping a steady pace into the wind. Go back and get a tired rider and bring them back to the group.
Social
Our Social group is for cyclists mostly interested in socializing and getting a little exercise. The ride leader will make sure that no one is dropped. The group will stop whenever anyone needs water, a rest, or just wants to take in the views. Road bikes are not required - comfort bikes, hybrids, and cruisers are all welcome as long as they are in good working order. This ride is focused on safety, moderate exercise, and socializing - not speed.
B group - Medium & Long
This group is for the cyclist who is interested in a more recreational ride, with planned rest breaks and with the option of stopping along the way for, a quick snack, a water break, but has the conditioning to ride longer distances. They have experience in group riding etiquette and like a challenge but are not interested in a race like environment where the pace is challenged by top end speed.
A group - Medium & Long
This group is for the experienced cyclist looking for a challenge, and to ride within a group that will push the pace. However, our group rides are not races. These rides are designated DROP rides. Although no rider will be left behind due to a mechanical issue or distress, slower riders not capable of maintaining the posted pace may dropped. You will not intentionally be left behind, due to a mechanical or physical issue. It is our experience that riders will drop back and assist someone in distress or struggling. However, It is each riders’ responsibility to ensure that they can maintain the pace for the rides they sign up for.
Looking for More Rides to Join?
At London Cycling Club, we understand how important it is to have a variety of rides available for our members. Ride availability is largely dependent on the willingness of volunteers to organize and lead these rides. If you don't see a ride that suits your preferences or schedule, we encourage you to get in touch with us.
Express your interest in participating in specific types of rides, or better yet, let us know if you're willing to volunteer to organize a ride yourself. By doing so, you not only expand the options for yourself but also contribute to the cycling community by facilitating cycling experiences for other members.
Our club thrives on the participation and enthusiasm of our members. Your willingness to get involved can make a real difference in expanding the range of rides we offer. So, whether you're eager to join a specific type of ride or have the passion to step up and lead, let's work together to enrich our cycling calendar.
Reach out to us today and make a difference in the diversity and availability of rides within our club!
