Your first ride
Feel free to come on a test ride with the club! We encourage people considering joining to join one of our social rides, and introduce themselves to the ride leader at the start, making sure to tell them about your group riding experience and asking any questions you might have.
However, please email [email protected] to register interest in joining a suitable first ride with the Condors.
Social rides on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and weekends are also ideal for beginners to join, so there's no need to wait for an intro ride if you'd like to come out with us sooner! All riders are welcome to come along for up to 3 club rides before becoming a member.
Coach to Coffee Combo
If you’re new to road riding, a bit out of practice or keen to meet us but not feeling confident yet, look no further. These sessions, usually held in spring:
- Support core skills practice and provide tips for group riding in a completely traffic-free environment, led by a BC Coach.
- Provide a short social, relaxed pace ride, 22kph and ~17km
- Conclude with a chat over coffee and cake (optional!) to compare notes and ideas on the basis that ‘there’s no such thing as a silly question’
All welcome and questions welcome at all times of the year. To find out more, contact [email protected]
How do I find out about planned rides?
+Join our Ride App, accessed via the top of this page or on your mobile device, which has details of all the rides planned for that day. Members might post their routes and speeds under different titles--Socials, Strengtheners, Screamers--so to see what the different rides involve, see Club Rides.
I'm a strong solo rider, can I join a Strengthener/Screamer straight away?
+If you're new to group riding, please join us for a Social ride first at a speed that you are comfortable with. Even if you're a strong solo rider, group riding is quite different to riding on your own. It's important to be familiar with calls and signals, and to be comfortable riding close together. If in doubt, speak to the ride leader or post on the App.
What kind of kit do I need?
+It's worth emphasising that most of our rides are on the road, where dedicated road bikes are a big advantage. You're welcome to join one of our dedicated newbies ride on a hybrid to try us out, but you'll need to have a road bike (the type with drop handlebars and skinny tyres) to get the most out of riding with the club. If you want to get an idea of the kind of bike we're talking about, then pop into one of our local shops and have a chat. Several of our members work in these shops and we love to support our local scene. You'll also want to ensure you get yourself some padded cycling shorts. These are pretty essential when riding a road bike for more than 30 minutes or so, and they should be worn without underwear.
Should I check my bike before I come out?
+Yes definitely! Please make sure those brakes work properly, the tyres are pumped up and you can change gears easily. For a more in-depth bike maintenance review take to YouTube, or take your steed into one of our local shops or the Broken Spoke!
What should I expect when I turn up at Manzil Way Gardens??
+You will see lots of cyclists milling around on the grass chatting. During busy summer evenings there can be upwards of 70-80 people out for rides! We know this can be intimidating but don’t worry, we have all been there and will make you feel welcome. Make a note of the ride you liked on the Ride App, get there early and introduce yourself to anyone wearing club kit. They will point you towards the ride leader for that ride.
What should I bring with me on the ride?
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- Yourself and your bike (!)
- Helmet - this is mandatory for all club rides
- Water (please make sure you have a bottle cage on your bike to hold your water bottle)
- A gel or small snack (eg banana / flapjack)
- Spare inner tube, tyre levers, tyre pump or gas canister
- If the ride is stopping at a cafe, please bring money for coffee and cake etc
- Wear comfortable cycling or sports gear. You may want to bring a waterproof if it looks like it’s going to rain
- Emergency Contact details. This can be on your phone, a specially printed card or just a scrap of paper. We hope that we’ll never need to use these but it will save time in an emergency if you carry these details on you.
What should I leave at home?
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Do I need insurance?
+We definitely recommend this whether you join the club or not. Please read our guidance here.
I'm a woman - will I be the only one?!
+Absolutely not! While it's probably true that there isn't yet a cycling club in England that has 50% female membership, we're almost there with over 100 women (that’s 35% and rising!) We have many women in positions of leadership, including and a Women's Officer and Women's Race Secretary on the board. We are a proudly feminist club, and as well as encouraging women to join all activities we provide single-sex spaces where women are actively prioritised. If you'd like any further info, just drop Women's Officer, Cathryn Setz, a line at [email protected]. She'd love to hear from you.
This sounds great! Where do I sign up?
+Head over to our membership page to become a fully fledged Condor. Remember you can try up to 3 rides before you buy! We look forward to seeing you out on the road soon :)
What if I'm not ready yet?
+We understand that some people may be early on in their cycling journey - the good news is there are lots of great options in Oxford to explore - check out this page here