Club Runs

Below is a list of the upcoming Thursday, Sunday, Breeze and Away-day rides.

View the complete list of all YCC routes.

Although the destination is predetermined, it may be changed on the morning if the weather conditions or other circumstances dictate.

Check the club Facebook page for any updates.

Use the tabs above for more information about the different ride types, as well as some general guidelines.

Thursday rides (except away-days) start from Palmer’s Garden Centre at 9am in Summer and 9.30am in Winter. The start time for each ride is shown in the information section on the club runs calendar. Some riders may be at Palmer’s 20 minutes beforehand for a pre ride coffee. In Summer the rides last all day (9am to 4.30pm) and usually cover 60 to 80 miles with the occasional longer ride in mid summer. There is always a mid morning coffee/cake stop, a lunch stop, and sometimes an afternoon stop on the longer rides. In Winter rides are morning only with a distance of 40/50 miles, a morning stop for refreshments then back to Yeovil and home for lunch.

Rides generally attract around 8/10 people but 16 is not unknown. Sometimes everyone will ride as one group, but if there are sufficient numbers the ride leader may decide to form two groups based on riding speed, each group with a designated leader. All groups will ride at a pace suitable for the members of that group.

Once each month from April to September there is an away-day Thursday ride starting from a location usually about 60 to 90 minutes drive from Yeovil.

The list of destinations for the next few weeks together with the route on Garmin and any associated information can be seen below on the club runs calendar.

I suggest riders carry a bike lock (and a key - ED!) on the Thursday rides as it cannot be guaranteed that coffee/lunch will be spent with the bikes in sight.

As of September 24th, we meet every Sunday at Yeovil Athletics Arena, Pickett Ln, Yeovil BA21 3DS for a Club run.

There are two or three runs, we all meet at 9 o'clock, and the rides depart at about 9.10. The groups try to meet for a coffee stop around 10:45 and then return to Yeovil between 12:30 and 1pm.

• The medium ride is a social run and will cover approx 50 miles, at a pace to suit the majority of the group. This group definitely stops for refreshments at the midpoint.
• The short ride is a intended for new riders, or those wanting a leisurely ride. Run at a slower pace, it will cover about 35 to 40 miles.
• Once a month there is a longer ride in addition to those above. This will return to Yeovil at a later time than the other runs.

The rides vary each week, they use the quieter A roads and the wealth of country lanes – if they are in a suitable condition – that abound in Somerset and Dorset. The list of destinations for the next few weeks can be seen below.

Standards of Riding and Behaviour on Club Runs

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The Club Runs should be a place where everyone feels welcome and secure. These are social runs which we split into groups in order to put riders of a similar ability together. We take rider safety very seriously, which includes both physical and mental welfare.

Club runs are not training rides nor are they the exclusive preserve of any subset of riders. They should be open to all club members provided they comply with the guidelines below. If a rider makes a mistake, as we all do from time to time, education and guidance should be offered. If that guidance does not lead to an improvement then please let the runs leader, or any member of the Committee, know in a timely fashion so the matter can be dealt with promptly.

The pace of each group should be dictated by the slowest rider in each group. Riders are expected to ride as a group and look after one another. Individual riders should be aware of the abilities of others and adopt a pace suitable for all, not constantly accelerating off the front. If a rider is in a group that is not suited to their ability then ask them to consider moving down, or up, a group.

The Club operates under BC Guidelines with regard to safeguarding and inclusivity. This means everyone has the right to be a club member and participate in the club activities. We expect all riders to behave with civility and tolerance at all times

Basic rules to be observed when riding in a group so that the ride is safe and enjoyable:

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• Ride steadily. Keep a steady line and a constant speed while in a group. Any sudden change is magnified as it reaches the back and so can have dramatic consequences.
• Ride two abreast where it is safe to do so but always be prepared to single out when necessary. Ride immediately behind the rider in front – do not overlap either forwards or sideways. Never ride more than two abreast.
• When approaching a hill, anticipate the gradient and change gear in good time. Missing a gear change on a steep slope can bring you to a sudden halt – not a good thing for the riders behind you!
• The group should always wait for riders who have a problem be it mechanical or otherwise. The group should collectively ensure that no-one is left behind and that anybody who is dropped has no health problems knows where they are and is able to get home. Riders towards the rear have a responsibility to keep the rest of the group informed about riders who have any problems.
• It is essential that every rider remains constantly aware of what is going on around them, especially the position and movement of other riders in the group. To minimise the risk of an accident you must ride with care and consideration for all other road users.
• You must communicate to your fellow riders when you intend to change position or speed on the road or when you see a potential hazard.
• Keep to the left if riding slowly uphill, to allow faster riders to overtake safely.
• Remain within sight of the next rider behind you; the whole group can then quickly be made aware if someone has stopped for any reason.
• Tell the another member of the group if you intend to leave the ride at any time.
• Do not ‘undertake’ by passing to the left of a rider.
• Do not ‘overtake’ by passing between riders.
• Do not overlap the rear wheel of a cycle in front of you. Viewed from the side there must be daylight between your front wheel and the rear wheel of the rider in front.
• On very quiet roads, with long sight lines, it may be acceptable to ride in large groups, but the default position is to split into small groups of no more than 8 with a gap of at least 4 car lengths between each group. This enables drivers to overtake by leap-frogging from one gap to the next.
• Try not to ride in a gap between groups; either catch up with group in front or drop back to join the group behind.

Most importantly enjoy the ride, have fun, be safe and considerate.

These are purely guidelines and they will remain under review as we assess how road conditions and weather warnings impact the club runs. The information below is to inform club riders what is likely to happen if a weather warning is issued, or another hazard is likely to affect the route.

It is entirely down to the individual to decide if the route is within their ability, how the weather will affect their performance and that the risk of any unexpected hazard is acceptable to them. eg. if there is a flooded or particularly muddy section on the route. Individuals that leave the group they started with, must ensure their decision to leave is communicated to another member of the group.

The Route Planner, acting on behalf of the Club, will do their best to ensure the route is safe and suitable, under normal circumstances, for the abilities/number of riders likely to attend.

In the event of a severe weather warning the following criteria will apply:

Red warning: For high winds, heavy rain, snow and icy conditions, (things we cannot mitigate against) the ride will be cancelled. For heat (or other items that can be managed) a decision will be made when sufficient information is available.

Amber warning: As per Red Warnings.

Yellow warning: The event organiser can decide if it is safe to go ahead. If he/she is unsure they can refer it to three club members (ideally the Chairman, route planner and one other committee member) who will review whether to cancel.

If a ride is cancelled, that decision will be communicated to the riders as soon as is practical via social media or email.

Remember, you should have the following with you when you are out and about, whether alone or on a club ride:

• A good pump and a couple of spare tubes, plus some decent tyre levers. Don't forget you need the right tubes (valves) if you are riding deep section rims.
• A mobile phone is a good idea. More essential is some identity and emergency contact details. You can get professional ID tags quite cheaply or simply print out the information and carry it in a plastic bag with your tubes, don't forget to include any relevant medical information. If you have the misfortune to come off then this really could be the most important thing in your pocket. Your YCC membership card now carries your Emergency contact details