Hello and a big warm welcome to Chorley Cycling Club!

We’re extremely pleased you’ve chosen to become a CCC member and can’t wait to get out on the road with you. No matter if you are brand new to cycling or a seasoned pro, we are sure we will have a ride that suits you.

We’ve put this welcome page together to bring you all the essential information you need to start riding with the club. We will talk you through the equipment you will need, the type of rides on offer and when those rides are. We’ll explain how to ride within a group and the etiquette used to keep everyone safe and enjoying themselves. So, lets dive in.

So, let’s presume that you are new to cycling and start with some basics. To start riding in general but especially if you’d like to ride with the club, you’re going to need a few different items, some of which we believe are mandatory, some of which we highly recommend you have with you. For a bit more information on the below, check out page 5 of our Ride Etiquette document.

Mandatory items

Roadworthy bike
One that is safe and well maintained

Good quality helmet
Your head is worth protecting

Highly recommended items

Front and Rear Lights
Rear especially. Lights are pretty much mandatory in poor light conditions

Puncture repair kit
At least 1 spare inner tube, a pump and patch kit. Co2 cannisters are great for quickly pumping up tyres, but can fail, so please always bring a pump as a failsafe

Food / Drink
We highly suggest water or squash as a minimum. Electrolytes and carbohydrate drink are much better for keeping you hydrated and your energy levels up. High carb snacks such as gels, bars, bananas, flapjack, sweets etc, are great on bike fuel

Appropriate / weatherproof clothing
For your comfort on rides, especially in poor weather conditions

Mudguards
All but mandatory in poor weather conditions, to keep you drier and keep spray out of the faces of others

A basic knowledge of road side fixes
e.g. punctures

Money / payment method
For cafe stop or emergencies

As you progress through your cycling journey there will be lots more that will be needed such as front and rear lights, spare inner tubes, a pump, cycling clothes for all weathers, mud guards, a cycling computer, cleats, cycling shoes – the list can be quite extensive. It’s best to build this up over time, and your new friends in your cycling club will only be so happy to help advise what’s needed – just don’t get into the Garmin vs Wahoo argument just yet!

Ok, we’re sure at this point you’ll already have questions and may even be a little nervous about what’s to come – but don’t worry – we are a friendly bunch so we’ve put a buddy scheme in place for new riders… someone that you can ask questions, who can advise and make sure that you are welcomed and attend the correct group ride for your ability level.

A new members contact will be reaching out to you soon to say hello.

So now you have your kit sorted, you have someone to talk too and you’re ready for a ride, the next step is to look at what ride best suits you. Click the links below to have a read about the different rides on offer. We have midweek and weekend rides, which range from social pace through to some race training rides! If you’re still unsure after reading the information on these pages, give your buddy a shout and they’ll be happy to help further.

So, we now have a plan in pace, you have the equipment, you’ll have spoken with your buddy and you’ve decided on a ride. Get out there and have an amazing time!

Each new member is allowed to join three rides before we ask that they officially join the club – this is so that you are covered by British cycling insurance whilst out on the rides. If you ride on more than three rides without joining, no one on the ride is covered! Details of how to join can be found here.

Social Events

During the year we hold multiple social events – everything from a quick drink after a ride to an organised track day where you can race against other members or have a go at setting the fastest lap! And then of course, there is our end of season awards night. A great chance to get together with the people you ride with, meet other members, enjoy some food and maybe even win an award!

Kit Window

Want to look the part and look like you belong to the Chorley Cycling family – we have windows twice a year when you can buy CCC kit from our clothing supplier, KALAS. Those dates are usually around March and October – so keep a look out!

Important Information