Club runs provide an opportunity to ride in a group with the benefits of drafting, camaraderie and the occasional bout of sarcasm! The pace is governed by those present, although the group may split during the course of a ride.
Safety is paramount; if you're not used to riding in a group, please read the page on Etiquette. Stay at the back of the group until you're confident that you can ride alongside other riders. Don't overlap wheels with the rider in front, and don't weave about!
The Sunday club run leaves from Darlington Market Place and covers anything from 50 to 100 miles, but generally in the region of 60 to 75 miles during the summer months, and shorter distances as the weather worsens. The route is chosen on the day and depends on weather, wind direction and who's there. A café stop is 'mandatory' and provides an opportunity to re-fuel and recover. This is a steady ride and a good introduction for anyone just starting out and wanting to increase their mileage.
The Saturday ride is traditionally a faster affair, following a route through Cleasby, Manfield, Eppleby, Caldwell and Whorlton to Barnard Castle for a café stop. The return leg follows the same route to Caldwell, then to Aldbrough St. John, Barton and back into Darlington around 12:00. This ride attracts riders from other clubs who use the opportunity to catch up with gossip, and maybe launch an attack on Whorlton Bank. Occasionally we meet the group from Ingleton, someone attacks, and there are 30 riders strung out on the road into "Barny".
If there's a risk of ice, we'll head up the main road through Piercebridge/Gainford/Winston or Ingleton/Staindrop, we may return via Folly Top to make up some miles!
On Tuesdays and Thursdays the 'vets' meet up at 9:30am all year round for a 40-75 mile ride. This is a social ride, the group will wait for the slowest rider. Take note of "knock a mile off"!
In the summer a faster group leaves at 6:00pm from Blackwell for 30 to 40 miles.
When and where?
Sunday, from the Market Square, leaves 9:00am prompt! Steady ride. Contact Steve Fullerton - 07527 671 781
9:30am Tuesday and Thursday from the Blackwell Post Office. Steady ride. Contact Neil Wishart - 01325 282442
6:00pm Tuesday and Thursday from the Blackwell Post Office during the summer, 30+ miles.
9:00am Saturday from the Blackwell Post Office. Barnard Castle with a café stop, can be fast depending on the weather and who's riding.