Tamworth Cycling Club like everyone else, experienced a summer like no other. From March onwards all members were riding solo and posting rides & pictures on Strava, and all of our other social media platforms, with no group rides or café stops. It was not until July with new government and cycling governing body guidelines and a risk assessment, that we were able to trial our first Tuesday evening ride with multiple groups of 6 riding separately and arranged informally through our members Facebook group with no café stop.
We then decided to restart our scheduled rides with café stops but realised we needed a booking system to ensure group size was limited to 6 and to minimise organisation on the day. This was implemented through our website so members could book into a group with a defined speed with a Cycling UK qualified ride leader, also with the route and café posted in advance.
During July, the club was able to ramp up to 4 rides a week, despite some of the early café stops involving an outside catering unit, and sitting on grass and kerbstones. As well as our scheduled rides we have completed some 100 mile sorties to Tugby in Leicestershire and North Staffs with our medium & faster paced groups. Interest in cycling is high at present which is reflected in our membership numbers & the implementation of a waiting list to join the club.