Claire Higgins, from Tendring Cycling Club, stresses the virtues of her favourite pastime and hails the physical and environmental benefits. Over the next few weeks, the club are offering a structured programme aimed at newcomers and those returning to cycling. It might be right up your street.

IN recent years, cycling has become more popular, partly as a consequence of gold-medal performances at consecutive Olympic Games and continuing success in the Tour de France.

However, lately it has also been identified as a favourable activity while we all endure the ongoing complications to normal life caused by covid.

We have probably all seen an increase in the numbers of local cyclists on our roads but if you want to cycle locally, how can you do so safely, what type of bicycle do you need and should you join a local club?

Based at Thorpe, Tendring Cycling Club (TCC) is still in its infancy (the club was only formed in January 2019) but it already has almost 200 members from all over the Tendring district and welcomes new and experienced riders alike.

The ages of club members currently ranges from 18 to 70 and there is a real mix of characters.

The aim of the club is to bring together local cyclists and offer local rides in as safe conditions as possible.

With so many experienced members, the club is also the ideal place to seek help in choosing a bike, learning about which upgrades make a difference and answering queries about mechanical problems etc.

Tina Starling, one of the original members, has created a programme of easy group rides designed to introduce newcomers to road cycling.

Tina said: “Last year, when I joined the club, there was no way I could manage 30 or 40 miles at 16 or 17mph and so I started beginners' sessions on Saturday mornings to encourage new cyclists onto their bikes.

"I went from running that session as a beginner myself to six months later completing Ride London, a 100-mile event that includes a climb over Box Hill in Surrey.”

While not everyone wants to aim for a 100-mile ride (or further), there are many other shorter events that can be appealing.

For those wanting a first taste of an organised event there are ‘Sportives’ such as the ‘Tour de Tendring’.

These are mostly 60 miles in length and often organised by or on behalf of charities.

Importantly, these are not races and you choose to ride at a speed that is comfortable for you.

Over the next few weeks a more structured programme is being introduced by TCC aimed at newcomers and those returning to cycling.

Tina is organising the programme and intends the result will be people cycling confidently, riding in groups, that will initially be led by an experienced club member, and at the same time learning about road etiquette.

They will also become fitter, improve their overall average speed and the distance they can cover; plus they will make new friends with like-minded people.

For more experienced riders, already up to the distance, TCC arranges weekly social rides on Thursday and Sunday mornings.

The ride organiser will let everyone know the route in advance (typically 40 to 50 miles) and then arrange the riders into small groups of equal ability.

These are ‘no drop’ rides so that anyone who wants to come knows they will not be left behind.

The rides are normally planned with a suitable cafe stop for coffee and cake at the halfway point.

Popular destinations include Dedham, Alton Water and Mersea Island.

Occasionally more adventurous rides are planned such as using ferry crossings from Harwich to Felixstowe and Shotley back to Harwich to link roads and create a longer route a bit further afield.

Wednesday evening training rides are shorter distances and aimed at those really wanting to improve their speed – lights are essential at this time of year!

Finally, if you have wondered why cyclists wear Lycra, the reasons are simple – Lycra is very comfortable and the shorts have a padded bottom. The benefit is obvious!

Rides start and finish at Thorpe Social Club and details are posted on the Club’s Facebook page – Tendring Cycling Club.