People naturally have quite a few questions they ask us before coming out on one of our rides. Here we try to answer some of the more popular ones for you. If you have any other questions about cycling in general or any other activities we do then please e-mail us. A big thank you to Addiscombe CC for the original idea of a beginners FAQ and some of the text.

I want to ride with you. How fit do I have to be?

If you can ride 20 miles or so at a gentle pace, then you are fit enough to come out on a mountain bike ride. If you can ride about 30 miles or so then you are fit enough to try the Sunday road ride, we have a choice of two. If you are unsure then print off one of our routes and try it on your own, remember it may well be easier in a group.

Is everyone else fast? What if I can't keep up?

Our club rides are not fast. We want to encourage people to ride a bike, not leave them behind and put them off cycling for life. Try riding as far as you can on a flat road at 15 mph. That is what we do and it is always easier when you are in a group. If you do find the pace hard shout, whistle, fall off (joking) to attract our attention and we will ease up. Just remember we have all had trouble keeping up at some point, so we understand.

If you are nervous about being ‘dropped’ or riding in a large group, then tell us at the start and we will assign someone to ride with you and teach you how to ride in a group. They will also have no problem shouting at the group to slow down on your behalf.

If you really don't think you can keep up email us and we will give you the details of your local CTC group. They go even slower than us, often at 12 mph. You will definitely keep up with them!

Do I have to race?

Not at all. You do as much or as little as you like. You may find that racing is infectious, especially our club time trials that are done entirely at your own speed and on a car free circuit. In a time trial you cannot come last as you are racing against your previous personal best times always trying to better them. We will also be promoting some novice road races on the same circuit during the summer.

I want to race. What do I have to do?

To keep it simple you need to ride club runs every week in winter to get fitness that will see you through the rest of the year, join BMCC, subscribe to a racing organisation (for road racing) and race. Or you could simply come to one of evening sessions at Weston on the Green airfield, Tuesdays for Time Trials and Thursdays for Road Racing/Training. for more information about racing see Want to Race

How far do you go on a Sunday?

Depending upon the ride choice “A” or “B”, generally we go out for about 50 miles in the summer and 40 miles in the winter via a cafe for tea and cake for the “A” ride and less on the “B” ride. You can do more or less if you like. You can always travel back some of the way by yourself if you think it might be a bit much to start with or meet us at the café stop

Hey I am fitter than that. Will I leave you slowcoaches behind?

Maybe, but we like to save our fast stuff for local races. What's the point of wasting it on a club run where there are no trophies? A lot of our people also meet up Saturday for training rides, usually start 9am from Bicester North railway station heading towards Turweston airfield for tea. If you are fast then try one of these!