Level 1 (Novice & Social Rides)
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The Essex Roads Novice Rides are just what is says on the label – ‘For Novices!’ The Novice Rides at Essex Roads are held on the first Sunday of each month. They are engineered just for you. You don’t need a fancy bike, however something with smooth tyres would be to your advantage. It’s ok to bring your mountain bike to this level of ride. We also strongly suggest that you wear a helmet. |
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You don’t need fancy clothing or previous miles under your belt. We just go nice and gentle. Your age is inconsequential too – riders join us of all ages and abilities and sexes. The Novice Rides go at a slow pace, over undulating terrain, and no big hills. We also choose quiet roads which are relatively free from traffic – particularly on a Sunday morning. We go at the pace of the slowest rider, and if you drop back we all wait for you to recover/catch up. And don’t worry – you won’t be left. The mileage is short (about 20 miles) and we definitely stop for a break at a nice café, where tea, coffee, toast, buns and cake are likely to be consumed. Every Sunday in the month except the first this ride become the Social Ride. You are welcome to join on these Sundays after you have been on a Novice ride and feel you are competent enough. These rides are not fast but are a little faster than the Novice ride and go a little further (about 30 miles). |
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There are lots of advantages cycling in a group. You will learn lots about bike control, road positioning and how to keep pace with others. It can also be to your advantage in that you will be able to ‘draft’ others by sitting behind them thus saving energy. You can also take a turn at the front if you feel able. What’s for sure is that you will be on quiet country roads you’ve probably never been on before. You could start with our Novice and Social Rides to gain an indication of your fitness level then go on to our Touring Rides which go a bit quicker and further. You do what suits you best. All our Novice and Social Rides start and finish at the Council Car Park on the western side of the High Street, Billericay at 9:00. The Car Park is reached by proceding along the High Street from Sun Corner and turning left just past the Iceland store. See the map below or the Google Maps Reference. From there, we take a variety of routes along quiet country roads that you’ve probably never been down before. The Novice Rides are usually back in Billericay about midday, but the Social group sometimes stop for a drink towards the end of the return journey so may be back later than midday, but you can alway break off early if you need to get back. |
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Here are some questions and answers about Novice Rides: -
I’m not a member of Essex Roads. Do I have to join in order
to ride?
No, we welcome all cyclists. You don’t have to be a member, but if
you want to ride regularly we would of course provide you with every incentive
to come and join our very friendly club.
I
want to ride with you. Do I have to be super fit to join in?
No, If you can ride approximately 20 miles or so in distance for the Novice Ride and 30 for the Social Ride you should be fit
enough.
What
if I can't keep up because I'm slow?
Don’t worry. We always ride at the speed of the slowest rider and
if you get dropped, we stop and wait for you! It’s quite normal to
stop for breaks too, along the way as our abilities are very mixed, even
amongst experienced cyclists.
| What
time do you start? Where
do you start from? When do
the rides take place? Can
I park my car somewhere near the start? Where
do you finish? How
long do the rides last for? How
many attend the Sunday rides? Do
you stop for refreshments? Should
I eat before the ride? |
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What
sort of bike do I need?
Basically, anything which you normally use and are comfortable on over 25
miles and preferably with smooth tyres. You are advised however, to
make provisions for punctures, your protection against the elements, and
you might find it useful to fit some mudguards during the winter to prevent
other riders being soaked with dirty road spray, and to avoid getting your
bottom wet!
What
sort of clothing do I need?
It all depends on the expected weather conditions, so please have a look
at the weather forecast beforehand. It’s probably better to over-dress
and expect the worse but avoid baggy clothing, particularly flares as they can get caught up in the moving parts. You can always carry discarded clothing with you.
Don’t forget your sun cream if it’s going to be hot –
liberally applied to arms, legs, face, ears and neck.
When
don’t you go out?
When it’s very windy, during heavy rain or when, during winter it’s
likely to be slippery.
Do
you ride on main roads only?
We try and get on to country lanes as much as possible. Our riders tend
to know where they are going, so stick to the smoothest, nicest and prettiest
routes available.
Do I
have to cycle up inclines?
Yes, unfortunately, although this is Essex it’s not entirely flat, but essentially
gently undulating. We will keep the hills to the minimum.
OK, what do I do next?
Have a look at the Events Calendar,
and just turn up on the day.
We look forward to meeting you!