Club Runs

HCC prides itself on being an open, friendly and all inclusive club. Please contact us for further information, or to enquire about joining a ride.

Non-members are welcome to try up to three rides. Please contact the Club Run Rep to arrange these and obtain details on how to join the rides.

Our usual meeting place is the Co-op car park in Holmfirth on Sunday mornings. During the Autumn and Winter seasons, our start time is 9:30am. In the Spring and Summertime, groups may start earlier to allow time for longer rides. There will always be some members at the Co-op for 9:30, but it would be advisable to check using the links above if you are visiting, or are new to the club.

To cater for a range of riding experiences we have four speeds of ride to choose from (A to D). There is always a group suitable for everyone. Whilst we welcome new riders, for the safety of others on a group ride we do expect you to have a basic level of road sense, confidence and awareness of others before riding with us. The initial rides above, will allow you to discuss and demonstrate your confidence level and awareness on the road.

Our A paced ride is our steadiest ride and our D paced ride is our quickest ride.

We have a variety of other club runs including our club run abroad (usually held over Easter), evening rides, daytime rides, junior and youth rides and of course our very popular traditional Sunday club run, which is where most people start their experience of riding with us.

Group Descriptions and Ride Speeds

Group A – Distance 15-20 miles (24-32 km) – steady pace

This is our entry level group ride. This ride is aimed at those people who may not have been on a bike for some time, but would like to start cycling more frequently and for those people who are working towards riding with Group B. It is a very friendly and sociable ride and aimed at encouraging riders to take up this sport. No experience of group riding is required before hand. An experienced club member will usually be on hand to offer basic advice on things such as gear selection, position on the road and group riding etiquette as well as more general topics such as bikes and clothing. Runs with this group will equip riders with the skills required to move to Group B, but more miles may be needed to improve fitness, strength and speed before moving into that group.

Group B (Short) – Distance 25-35 miles (40-56 km) – medium pace

Elevation: Tends to be 1000 ft per 10 miles (189 m per 10 km) dependent on route
Speed: 10.5-12 mph (16.9-19 km/h) dependent on route

This ride is a medium pace ride but is intended to be sociable and includes a café stop. It is expected that riders will be able to cover up to 30 miles (48 km), in approximately 3 hours riding time, to equip riders with the skills to move to other similarly paced groups that ride further if desired. The group will stop regularly to re-group, particularly after hills.

Group B (Long) – Distance 40-50 miles (64-80 km) – brisk medium pace

Elevation: Tends to be 1000 ft per 10 miles (189 m per 10 km) dependent on route
Speed: 10.5-12 mph (16.9-19 km/h) dependent on route

This ride is a medium pace ride but is intended for riders who prefer a slightly quicker pace and does include a café stop. It is expected that riders will be able to cover up to 40 miles (64 km), in approximately 4 hours riding time, to equip riders with the skills to progress to quicker paced groups that ride further if desired. The group will typically stop to re-group, after hills.

Group C (Short) – Distance 40-50 miles (64-80 km) – fast pace

Elevation: Tends to be 1000 ft per 10 miles (189 m per 10 km) dependent on route
Speed: 12-14 mph (19-22.5 km/h) dependent on route

This ride is aimed at cyclists who like a quicker ride than our Group B rides. Routes and café stop options will often be decided on the day amongst those present, though a route planner has usually been agreed the previous week.

Group C (Long) – Distance 50-70 miles (80-112 km) – fast pace

Elevation: Tends to be 1000 ft per 10 miles (189 m per 10 km) dependent on route
Speed: 12-14 mph (19-22.5 km/h) dependent on route

This ride travels at a similar pace to Group C (Short) but covers more miles.
As such, this ride aims to be back by 15:00.

Group D – Distance 70-95+ miles (112-152+ km) – faster pace

Elevation: Tends to be 1000 ft per 10 miles (189 m per 10 km) dependent on route
Speed: 13.5-15.5mph (21.7-25 km/h) dependent on route

The rides are “social” with a cafe stop, but will require a decent level of fitness and bike ability. We ride in “tight twos” and sometimes “through and off”. The group only tends to break up on the bigger hills. This creates a smoother and faster ride for us all, but does take some discipline from the whole group. Don’t worry if you have not done this before many of our new riders have not, other group members will help you. However, if you are not comfortable trying to ride in this style, Group D is not for you. The club offers coaching sessions on group riding.

Etiquette

HCC prides itself on being an all inclusive, friendly club and we encourage new riders to come and join us. We recognise that it is much safer for all of us if we ride as a group, but we also recognise that this is a skill that develops over time. As a rough guide, as the pace of a ride increases through our groups A to D then so does the group riding skill. To support group riding we ask that when taking a turn on the front, please make an effort to check that the pace you are setting is not leaving people behind. Equally, if you feel you are dropping off the back, or spot another rider who has been dropped, communicate this to the front of the group. So that you do not feel under pressure if the pace of the ride is either too fast or too slow for you, we offer plenty of other groups that might suit your pace better. Here are some further hints and tips for a group riding:

Come prepared – everyone should have a pump and inner tube/puncture repair kit.

Choose the right group! If you’re not sure, go with a slower group rather than a faster one. You can always move up next time.

Ride two abreast when safe to do so. The group should stay as compact as possible in two lines.

Never ride more than two abreast. Move into single file when traffic is busy or the road is narrow.

If the group is larger than 8 then it should divide into 2 smaller groups. This is to ensure that we ride safely and minimise the impact on other road users.

Always follow the Highway Code. Remember when on a club run, particularly when wearing Club Kit, you are representing the club.

Please remember to look over your shoulder to check it is clear before manoeuvring.

You may see or hear the following signals being used – please help to keep the group safe by using these signals yourself and by communicating them through your group:

  • Shout of ‘Car Up’ – there is a car, behind, possibly going to cause an obstruction.
  • Shout of ‘Car Down’ – there is a car, ahead (usually oncoming), possibly going to cause an obstruction.
  • Shout of ‘Mile Off’ or ‘Ease Up’ means slow the pace slightly at the front.
  • Point out hazards – such as ‘pot holes’, poor surface or debris.
  • Shout of ‘Slowing’ or waving arm means the group is slowing down.
  • Shout of ‘Stop’ or ‘Lights’ or signal of hand up means the group is stopping (often for traffic lights).
  • Left arm around the back signals moving out (often for a parked car).
  • Right arm around the back signals to ride in single file.
  • Shout of ‘All On?’ is asking if the group is together. The response of ‘All Aboard’ or ‘All On’ should be given by the last rider if they are present.

Under 16

Holmfirth Cycling Club are keen to encourage young members who want to join organised club rides.
All club members participating in club activities do so at their own risk.
Young Riders aged 16 and below may do so ONLY with signed parental consent.
The form should be completed and returned to the club secretary BEFORE you join your first club ride.

The following criteria must also be met;
Young riders (under 16) joining club rides must:
Be ‘accredited’ by club coaches as being suitable (skills and fitness) for joining club rides
Submit a completed parental consent form – retained by HCC club secretary
Identify and agree with a responsible person who will act as that riders ‘chaperone’ throughout the ride – this must be agreed BEFORE each ride meet.
Carry an ID and I.C.E. card which they must show the ride leader/planner and chaperone prior to commencing the ride.
Please remember that you will be representing Holmfirth Cycling Club and that you are expected to ride according to the Highway Code and the rules of the road.
Any behaviour which is dangerous, illegal or likely to bring the club into disrepute may result in suspension from attending club rides or expulsion from the club.

Sunday Runs

Sunday club runs are the place that most people get their first experience of riding with us. We have four paces of ride to choose from, as listed above and our B and C paced rides are popular enough that there is usually more than one of each option available. During the summer months it is not uncommon to have over 60 riders spread across all groups, so there is no reason why anyone should feel apprehensive about coming down to meet us for the first time. The Club Runs are planned by volunteer members who navigate groups of up to eight riders at a time, in line with Club requirements. The runs are posted on the HCC Members Facebook pages.

If you are not on Facebook or are wanting to try out a ride before joining you will need to get in touch by contacting the Club Run Rep.

Our usual meeting place is the Co-op car park in Holmfirth on Sundays mornings – please see the information at the top of this page.

Wednesday Runs

Both of these rides include a coffee stop. The B paced ride usually covers about 35 miles (56km) and the C paced ride about 50 miles (80km), but these are dependent upon the weather and time of year. Find and book yourself onto a ride using the HCC Members Facebook pages. If you are not on Facebook or are wanting to try out a ride prior to joining then please contact the Club Run Rep.

Club Run Abroad

This is a well established feature of HCC with over 50 riders and their families usually taking part

This is an excellent opportunity to shake off the winter cobwebs (if you still have them!) and cover some decent miles in the warmth of southern Europe. We have mainly focussed on Puerto Pollenca on Mallorca as it is a small well placed resort with immediate access to some of the best riding anywhere. New riders are always welcome and it is a chance to get to know people well. Members take their own bikes or hire out there and amongst us is a good deal of experience to get anyone started and have a successful week. If you think you might like to join us please have a look at the details on the Members Facebook page or contact the Club Run Rep via the Facebook group. If you do decide to join us, one thing we can guarantee is that we know you will have a great time.

Club Run Weekend Away

We plan Club Run Away Days annually. Club runs at all levels are offered, based in a different location. We have held these in the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, the Yorkshire Wolds and most recently, a foray into the flatter regions of Cheshire, as well as East Yorkshire.

Upcoming events will be posted on the Events page, with full details on the HCC Members Facebook pages.

Chip Butty Club Run

Smaller get-togethers include the Chip Butty run where we meet up at a suitable hostelry for a Chip Butty and a get together. These tend to happen in the Spring, September and around Christmas. Information will be posted on the Events page, with full details on the HCC Members Facebook pages.