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WCC exists as the central point of contact for cyclists in the Wokingham area. We organise group rides, social events, time trials and track sessions at Palmer Park Velodrome. We are an inclusive club with ages between 15 and 80 years old, triathletes, mountain bikers, gravel riders and roadies. Check out the answers to these Frequently Asked Questions and join using the button above.
Sunday is the core riding day for the club from Peach Place in Wokingham between 8:00-9:00 am. However, Ride Leaders are increasingly planning and leading rides on Saturdays, mid-week and during some evenings. During the Summer upwards of 50 members are on rides each Sunday. Even in Winter 30 riders are out depending on the weather.
This chart shows the speed categories for our club rides in mph and km/h. The speed band refers to average moving speed for the ride. Long or hilly rides will typically have a lower overall average speed. Remember that group ride speeds are typically higher than you might be able to achieve on your own. Rides will indicate a target elapsed time for the route and the route distance and indication of the elevation gain. We have a no-drop policy on all group rides so the group will always ride at the slowest pace, unless agreed otherwise.
Well you won't know unless you try! The wide range of ride categories mean we cater for all types of riders, from those recovering from illness and injury to those ready to compete. Pick a start point and progress through the categories as you find your ability and your fitness and skills improve. If you still don't think you are ready to start with us, click here for a list of other cycling groups and clubs in the area who offer more beginner rides or are more racing focussed.
More like 'guidelines' really! When you sign up for one of our club rides just make sure that -
Yes. Potential members can sign up for a free Trial Membership which allows you to book onto an Intro Ride.
On the Intro Ride, you will be given all of the information you need about joining the club, our rides and how to sign up for them will be explained. There will be coffee stop in Peach Place after the ride to review any questions.
The ride is designed to introduce group riding and includes some busy roads over the M4 before settling into quieter roads where we can chat and try out faster group riding before finishing with a short climb up Billingbear Lane before returning to Wokingham.
To join these rides we ask that you are happy cycling at least 15 miles above 12mph. Please read our Ride Sign Up Checklist before joining.
If you have any worries about joining us please feel free to have a chat with us (info@wokinghamcycling.club or message us on Facebook.)
Once you've done your Intro ride, you can sign up for a full membership which will allow you to see and book on regular club rides at the appropriate level
Full membership is £30 per year either as a one off payment or a recurring annual amount. If you are Under 25 you can take a discounted membership for £15 per year.
WCC Members have access to the following:
Rides are created by Ride Leaders who volunteer to lead rides, so there are no guarantees of being able to book on an organised ride each week. The waiting list feature of the booking system will help show where there is extra demand and more Ride Leaders may well volunteer rides if available. If you can't get on a ride the Members Facebook group is a good place to organise an informal ride.
Yes, when you have joined you can book onto a ride straight away. We will contact you to check that the ride you are booking onto is suitable for you and let the Ride Leader know you are a new member.
Ride Leaders decide the number of riders they want on their ride to ensure good communication and safety. If a ride is full, you will be able to join a waiting list where you are automatically added to a ride if places become available. We monitor waiting lists and will assign additional ride leaders and increase numbers where possible.
Once you are a full member, you can book yourself onto a ride via the website’s ‘Book a Ride’ section, which is under the Members Tab. Some rides are opened for sign-up 4 days prior to the start date and time, meaning that a ride listed to start at 8am on a Sunday morning will become live for sign up at 8am on Wednesday morning. If a ride is full, you will be able to join a waiting list where you are automatically added to a ride if places become available. We monitor waiting lists and will assign additional ride leaders and increase numbers where possible.
Yes, the website will allow you to cancel your participation on a ride. Of course, the more notice you can give, the better, as late cancellations could be stopping other riders from taking part.
WCC has a general Ride Risk Assessment, which conforms to British Cycling’s direction and guidance on managing risk from various hazards. All Ride Leaders consider these risks when planning rides and monitor risk during the ride to mitigate these risks. The committee will cancel official club rides if there are weather warnings in place and advise on risk for icy roads and high winds.
Club kit was designed in-house and is made in Scotland by Endura. We keep some stock of most items but additional items are ordered twice a year so we can meet minimum production runs. You can see stock levels on the Store part of the website.
We do attend sportive events together sometimes. Events of interest are discussed on Facebook and WhatsApp groups but signing up to them is down to the individual. The members groups are only available to individuals who have paid for full membership.
As a club we are affiliated with British Cycling and Cycling UK. Please note that cyclists join our rides at their own risk. We are not insured against injury to yourself or others, neither are we insured against damage to your property or the property of third parties. It is important that you cycle responsibly and take responsibility for your own actions. British Cycling offer personal insurance as part of their individual membership. Details can be found here.
The Club operates on a purely voluntary basis. Subscriptions are used to:
In cycling terms WCC is a relatively new club. Started in 2013, WCC has grown from a handful of cycling enthusiasts who used to turn up outside Wokingham Town Hall every Sunday and decide where they would go on the day to a club with over 200 members in 2022 who benefit from well planned rides led by experienced and trained ride leaders. WCC is reliant on its volunteers, including over 40 Ride Leaders, to operate a structure that helps us to organise rides and other events in an inclusive and efficient manner. Active members and their annual subscriptions allow WCC to develop, plan and implement a programme aimed at providing benefits to all members regardless of cycling ability. We operate as a not-for-profit Social Enterprise. WCC operates a flat hierarchy, with committee members elected annually at the AGM in January. Accounts and plans are presented at the AGM each year. Fundamentally, the majority of club activities are led by the club’s Ride Leaders who will organise the clubs events supported by the committee.