At Marlow Riders, we're proud to have a culture and ethos that encourages and supports everyone's participation in cycling.

Some of our members have told us about some of the concerns or questions they had before joining their first cycling club, which we've summarised below. If you have a question that we haven't answered, please contact us at info@marlowriders.org.uk and we'll be happy to help. 

What are the joining pre-requisites?

You just need:

• a basic level of fitness, which means being able to ride 30 miles at a speed of around 10 mph. If you're not sure, you could try riding this route. If you can manage this in under 2 hours 45 minutes without a coffee break then you should be able to keep up with our lowest paced group.
• a road bike (AKA racing bike) with drop (curved) handlebars
• liability insurance through one of the insurance-eligible membership tiers of Cycling UK or British Cycling. That's it!  If you've never ridden in a group before, don't worry, we'll teach you the skills and etiquette you need to ride safely and enjoyably. 

I'm a member of another body that provides liability insurance. Do I still need to join British Cycling or Cycling UK?

British Triathlon, London Cycling Campaign and other organisations have varying policy terms and levels of cover, which become onerous on our volunteer committee members to check, so we keep it simple by asking all our members to join either Cycling UK or British Cycling to ensure an adequate level of cover (minimum £10m), and cover whilst participating in club rides.  

You can find out more about insurance requirements here.

Is there a group to suit me?

With groups ranging in speed from 10 mph to over 20 mph, and cultures ranging from "coffee, cake and conversation" to "tenacious training" and everything in between, we've got groups to suit most riders, whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned enthusiast, and whatever your goals.

What if I can't keep up?

Don't worry, we never leave riders behind. When someone's having an off day, the ride leader will assess the situation and decide on a course of action, which could include slowing the pace of the group, splitting the group, cutting the route short or other options. We've all been there so we know what it's like and we'll support you to get through the ride. 

Will there be an opportunity to rest during rides?

Our club rides always have a coffee stop, usually at around 30 to 40 miles.  Depending on your group and your ride, the ride leader might stop the group at junctions or other opportune spots by the roadside along the way to regroup, recover, take a drink and have a snack. We encourage members to let the ride leader know if they need a break; chances are others will too so don't be afraid to speak up. 

Will my skills be good enough? 

As long as you can stay upright on a bike and ride safely on your own, your skills will be good enough to join the club.  We'll teach you the skills you need to ride safely in a group, such as how to indicate potholes and obstacles, how to communicate and how to change position in the group. If you're interested in developing your skills as a rider, speak to your ride leader, your speed group leaders or a committee member. We have plenty of skilled riders in the club and we're sure to be able to find the right group or person to give you a few tips.   

What if I get a puncture or have a mechanical issue?

Punctures and mechanicals are part of cycling and we all get them at times. It's a good idea to know how to repair a puncture and have some basic knowledge of the workings of your bike so you can be safe even when cycling on your own; however, when riding with a group, there will be others willing to pitch in and get you going. We run occasional puncture repair and bike maintenance workshops, and you can always ask other members directly or on our forums if you need any help or advice.

Are there women-only rides?

We have a very friendly, inclusive culture and our female members have told us that they feel welcome, safe and supported in our mixed gender groups; however, we will be more than happy to run women-only rides if our members ask us to. 

Will I be the only female rider?

We have regular female riders in our Tigers, Jags and Leopards groups, and almost always more than one lady in each group.  We organise our rides via the Team app, so members can always see who else has signed up to rides and can use the chat to organise with friends to join the same ride. In Tigers, where members are allocated into groups by the group leaders, members are welcome to make special requests, such as being allocated to a group with at least one other female rider. 

What do I need to bring on a ride?

You will need:

• A road bike with two working brakes
• Helmet (compulsory, unless your religion requires you to wear a turban)
• Water
• Clothing appropriate to the weather
• Pump
• Two spare inner tubes
• Any snacks you might want to keep you energised until the coffee stop
• Means to pay for your drink and cake at the coffee stop

Do you allow e-bikes?

Yes, e-bikes have made cycling accessible to a broader community of riders and their use reflects our ethos of cycling for all, so we are pleased to welcome e-bike riders on our club rides.

Your e-bike must comply with UK regulations, and we ask that you’re mindful of a few considerations that can affect the group you’re riding with.

If you’re planning to join us on an e-bike, please read our e-bike policy first.

Is the club involved in racing?

No. We are a social cycling club. As such, we do not participate in racing, and athletic performance is not a focus of the club.

What is the cost of membership?

Our annual membership fee is £40 and your membership will renew on 1 April in the calendar year after you join.