Tiff Fletcher at the Senior Nationals Indoor Championships.

Tiff has been a regular with the mid week and Sunday ride over the last few years and also works for British Cycling. This year she entered the Senior Nationals 10km Scratch Race and competed in iCycle colours. Congratulations to Tiff from us all for taking part and finishing.  Here is a note about her experience.

‘I’ve attended this race with work for the past 2 years and thought I could give it a go. 2025 was the year, I decided to do the scratch race. 10km race and the first over the line is the winner. I was up against current Olympic and world champions which was really inspiring to be in the same race. Most of the field were professional cyclist racing for world tour teams. But I got stuck in and despite how nervous I was, I really enjoyed the race and was really pleased to keep up with the pro riders averaging 47.5kph’

Well done Tiff!

iCycle Gravel Rides

With the onset of the wintery weather and adverse road conditions there has been an enthusiasm to go off road onto the gravel. 

 

This is thanks to the efforts of iCycle member Dave Munday. Dave has kindly started mapping and posting some gravel rides which are posted on the iCycle Cycling Information WhatsApp group. If you are not already on this group, you can access via ‘WhatsApp Groups’ heading on the ‘New Members’ page.

These are usually on a Friday and currently linked to the Flamme Rouge cycle shop on Bromham Road, Bedford. This is the current start and finish point. You are welcome to join the ride. The expectation is you can ride 30-40 miles off road at a pace of around 13-14mph. You will need a gravel or Mountain bike equipped with suitable tyres. You will need to sign up on the Flamme Rouge Ride sign-up page.At present most of the participants are iCycle members. 

On occasions, if the weather is poor iCycle road rides may be changed to off road. If you are a current iCycle member watch out for any postings on the iCycle Cycling Information WhatsApp Group.

If you are reading this as a non-member, are a gravel fan and would like to join in the fun, we would love to have you join us. Please sign up for a 3 month FREE trial.

Simon Lowe Jan 2025

Winter Riding

With the clocks going back later this month it is now appropriate that we prepare ourselves and our bikes for riding during the colder months of the year when there are fewer daylight hours.

In keeping with the changes that are made every year, club rides are typically shorter and the start times are later. Details of which are as follows:-

Ride lengths from 17th October 2024
Long Sunday Rides 50 to 60 miles
Short Sunday Rides 35 to 40 miles
Midweek Rides 35 to 40 miles

Start Times from 17th November 2024

Midweek rides 09:00.
From 19th November the Sunday Long Ride will start at 09:00.
From 19th November the Sunday Short Ride will start at 09:05.

Mudguards and Lights

During the winter months virtually all members fit mudguards and lights to their bikes. This is a practice that the club would like to adopt on all rides from 17th October until the clocks go forward on 31 March. Even on days when it isn't forecast to rain there is often standing water on the roads and we still get the odd shower that isn't forecast. It is highly recommended that mudguards are full length whereby the mud flap extends below the level of the axle.  

Lights

Many members choose to ride with a rear light throughout the year as this significantly helps to improve their visibility to other road users. This is even more important during the winter months when everyone on a club ride should have a rear and ideally a front light.

Please be aware that the clubs British Cycling insurance only covers the club. We ride and as members make a decision to ride at our own risks. We encourage all members to take out personal cycling insurance. 

The list of Short Sunday Social ride leaders is now under Members Information.