Horsham Cycling club rides run on Saturdays and Sundays. Each group is led by an experienced leader. We have a no-drop policy, meaning no rider will be left behind.
Group size is limited to 10 riders before we split into two groups. Many rides include a roadside ‘banana break’. Members often meet afterwards at a local café at the Carfax in Horsham.
For less experienced riders we recommend starting in one of our slower groups (Social) to get familiar with riding in a group. For those new to cycling you may want to join first the local Horsham and Crawley CTC Club to build up fitness and skills.
IMPORTANT
- Under 18: We welcome riders under 18, but have strict policies regarding parental permission and safeguarding. See here for more details.
- Insurance: The Club does not provide third-party insurance for riders. We strongly recommend members take out personal liability cover such as that provided at reasonable cost by British Cycling, Cycling UK and several other providers. (Read our guide to insurance here.)
- Helmets: Cycle helmets MUST be worn on Club group rides.
- Tri-bars/aero bars: For the safety of others, we do NOT allow bikes fitted with tri-bars/aero bars on Club rides.
- Always carry: suitable clothes for the weather, water & food, tool kit
- Ride leaders have the right to decline riders who are not suitably dressed or equipped
Saturday Rides
Saturday rides depart every week from Horsham Park bandstand at 8.30 am (BST) or 9.00 am (GMT), back in Horsham around 10.30/11.00, apart from the ‘Longer Ride’. Each group has a dedicated ride leader.
Social: c 25 miles @ 11-14.5 mph
Intermediate: c 30 miles @ 14-16.5 mph
Sporting: c 35 miles @ 16-18 mph
Sporting+: c 35 miles @ 18+ mph (Sporting+ does not schedule a ride every Saturday and runs mainly in the spring and summer months – see Spond for details)
Sunday Rides
Sunday rides depart every week from Horsham Carfax from 9.00 am. Each group has a dedicated ride leader.
Normal Sunday rides do not run when Club Charity rides are scheduled or when ice/extreme weather is forecast.
Social 1: 25-35 miles @ 11-14 mph. Departs 9.20 (normally has a café stop)
Social 2: 30-40 miles @ 12-14.5 mph. Departs 9.20
Intermediate: 35-45 miles @ 14-16.5 mph. Departs 9.15 (group will split as two faster/slower groups when needed)
Sporting 1: 40-50 miles @ 16-17 mph. Departs 9.10 (normally has a café stop)
Sporting 2: 40-50 miles @ 16.5-18 mph. Departs 9.10
Sporting 3: 45-65 miles @ 17-19.5 mph. Departs 9.05
Sporting 4: 19+ mph. Departs 9.05 or 8.00 for longer rides (not scheduled every Sunday and runs mainly in the spring and summer months; see Spond for details)
Please note that we are trialling a new schedule for Sporting rides in the winter season (November to March) due to lower numbers of riders:
Sporting 1: 40-50 miles @ 16-17.5 mph. Departs 9.10 (The decision about a cafe stops will be at the discretion of the ride leader and likely be weather dependent; see Spond for details)
Sporting 2: 40-50 miles @ 17-19 mph. Departs 9.10 (The speed of Sporting 2 will largely depend on the nature of the route and weather. Ride leaders will focus on the group staying together rather than achieving a specific speed)
Special Rides
Special rides are not scheduled every week. See Spond for details.
Long rides: longer than the standard Saturday or Sunday rides, with variable speed groups
Off-road/ Gravel ride: once a month on Sundays during the spring and summer season
Hill Hunters ride: Hill rep training sessions throughout the spring and summer season
Women’s ride: once a month with a special ten-climb challenge in August: ‘Giro de Surrey Hills‘
Explorer rides: a few rides per year that start and finish away from Horsham to explore other parts of the country. Distance will be 35-40 miles, with a coffee stop and average pace around 14-15 mph.
Charity rides: For two Sundays in the spring and autumn. Start will be as usual for Sunday rides, and finish will be at the Horsham YMCA football ground. Details can be found here.
Summer Randonnee: Once a year long-distance cycling event that starts and finishes at the special venue which will be announced on Spond. These rides take the place of the regular Horsham Cycling club rides.