Ride with Us
Fancy joining us for a ride? Here's some information which you might find helpful.
Club Rides
No sign-up, no forms
Honestly? Just Turn Up
There's nothing to click and nobody to email first. Bring your bike, find us at the meeting point, and come for a ride — that's the whole joining process. Roll up this Thursday (or whenever suits) and see if we're the club for you.
What to Bring
We're not going to provide an exhaustive list of what to bring as we don't want to be patronising, but here is some guidance for those new to group riding.
- Helmet
- Required.
- Cycling kit (lycra)
- If you don't have any, that's fine, but most of us wear it.
- Puncture repair basics, pump with presta-valve attachment, multi-tool, tyre levers
- If you aren't well versed in basic bike maintenance, we should be able to help with most eventualities.
- Water bottle
- Not all our rides will take too long but it's still good to have something.
- Energy bar, gel, banana etc
- Again, take what you feel you may need. Longer rides tend to have cafe stops but you still might want a back up.
- Rain jacket
- Packable into a jersey pocket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still weighing up whether to come along? These are the questions we get asked most about the rides themselves — the bike, the kit, and what actually happens out on the road.
Can I ride my electric bike with you?
Yes! We know that the hills of Calderdale aren't for everyone, and an electric bike can make them more manageable. We believe you should still be entitled to ride in a group and enjoy the benefits that brings. We just ask that you try to keep to the pace of the group and not fly past us when the tarmac starts pointing uphill.
Do I need a road bike to ride with you?
You'll certainly find cycling with us easier if you have a road bike in relatively good condition, but if you have a hybrid or a mountain bike, all we can say is give it a go! We have some riders who dabble in mountain biking as well, so you may still find people to ride with outside of the usual club rides.
Do I need to have lycra clothing to ride with you?
Again, it will make your life easier as baggy clothing can be uncomfortable, but ride in whatever you feel comfortable in. If you're interested, decent quality cycling wear at an affordable price is available from high street sports retailers such as Decathlon.
I've never ridden in a group before, what do I need to know?
You'll quickly gain confidence riding in a group, but we know it can be daunting at first. We tend to ride two abreast (though we 'single out' in certain circumstances). As a group we point out potholes using hand gestures and calls (this will quickly become familiar), and we indicate and alert each other to traffic situations. If you feel less comfortable riding in a pair you can start by riding at the back, or some people prefer to be on the inside or outside of the pair.
I don't have much experience of bike maintenance, what if I suffer a mechanical on the ride?
We've all been there! Unfortunately mechanicals are an inevitability if you ride enough, but don't fret! We should be able to help with any basic problems like punctures, dropped chains or gear shifting issues. To lower the risk of mechanicals, keep your bike clean and regularly inspect tyres, chains and components for wear.
Club Kit
Wearing the blue and gold (yes it's gold, not yellow) isn't required to ride with the club, but who doesn't want to fit in with the pack? Our kit is produced by Nopinz, who produce kit on demand, with no minimum order quantity.
Nopinz has a range of kit available, and you can order directly from their website. The lead time for orders is normally around 4-6 weeks.
Get in Touch
Tempted to join us but still have questions? No problem! Message us at:
- Secretary - Jayne Fielden
- secretary@halifax-imps.org.uk
- Membership - Tom Brabbin
- membership@halifax-imps.org.uk