Group riding is at the heart of the North Cotswold Cycling Club, providing the opportunity to cycle in fantastic scenery whilst enjoy the company and camaraderie of your fellow riders. Riding in a group provides a wonderful opportunity to meet new people, improve your fitness, explore new areas and enjoy the extra speed of following a wheel.
The club rides are considered a supportive ride where riders help one another if they can. However, riders accept responsibility for their own conduct, equipment and safety during Club activities.
It is important to remember that you take part in Club rides entirely at your own risk. To protect yourself from claims from other road users or pedestrians in the event of a collision, all riders should have third party liability insurance – available through Cycling UK, British Cycling and elsewhere.
When riding with the club, please remember you are representing the North Cotswold Cycling Club and need to conduct yourself accordingly. There are some basic rules and good practice when riding in a group so that it is safe and enjoyable. All riders should familiarise themselves with and attempt to adhere to the NCCC’s Ride Guide.
British Cycling also provides some great videos on cycling in a group which are well worth a watch. Even experienced riders sometimes forget these good disciplines.
How to ride in a group – Ridesmart
During the Summer Months NCCC also host additional rides which are Gravel Rides, Paceline and Chaingang, all explained below.
Gravel Rides Explained!
Alternative Thursdays 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
NCCC Gravel Rides explained.
Exciting news! The NCCC gravel rides are gearing up to commence on Thursday 9th April 2026.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Schedule: Every fortnight, starting at 6:00 PM.
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours. For the earlier rides, please bring lights in case of any delays or mechanicals.
- Start Locations: These will vary to explore different off-road tracks and will be communicated in advance.
- Route Details: Expect a mix of 50% off-road and 50% on-road terrain. Routes are designed for bikes with at least 35mm gravel tyres—ideal for gravel bikes but mountain bikes can also be used it just may be a bit harder work on the road sections but there will be some payback on the off-road descents.
- Effort Level: Roughly G2-G3. While terrain makes exact pacing hard to define, the group will follow the usual practice of regrouping after climbs.
- Wet weather cancellation: Riding on Cotswold clay in the wet isn’t much fun so the rides will be cancelled if it’s likely to be muddy. Just keep an eye on WhatsApp if the forecast is iffy.
Get ready for some fantastic rides exploring new trails. Make sure your bike is prepped, and we’ll see you there!
Tuesday Paceline Chaingang Explained!
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Tuesday Paceline Chaingang Explained!
The NCCC Tuesday evening Paceline chaingang will recommence on Tuesday 7th April 2026.
Here’s what you need to know:
Schedule and starting point – Every week on a Tuesday leaving at 1815 hours from the Dekomte Offices in Moreton in Marsh.
Effort Level – The paceline is ideally suited to those riding at Sunday G1 or G2 pace and that are comfortable riding in close formation in a group. Given additional interest from less experienced members or those that ride in slower groups then a Development Group has been added for this year.
Also to try and cater for a wider range of requirements, IF there are TWO groups in addition to the Development Group the first group will be a dropped ride. The second group will remain non-drop, until the run in from Wolford.
The ride is a group rotation with approx. timed turns on the front (time determined on the evening).Keeping it smooth is key to making these rides safe and faster, no accelerations when your turn on the front and keeping the effort level going downhill.
For both PACELINE and CHAINGANG rides we have some good news changes this year! NCCC are introducing a new Development Groups for these rides which will be aimed at riders who are comfortable riding from a minimum 14+ mph average speed (group 3). The development rides are additional to the regular rides to encourage more participation.
Watch out for the club WhatsApp announcements for more details.
Please have a rear light.
Wet weather cancellation: Cancellations will be made if the weather is particularly wet, check the Club What’s App and email for updates on the day.
The route link is below:
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/260701226
https://www.strava.com/routes/3130564535658167514,
The route is generally flat and on reasonably surfaced roads, it finishes at the Four Shires Stone.
Length/Duration – Approximately 24 miles, which usually takes just over an hour or a little longer depending on the group(s).
Finally, if you have any questions please put these up on the Club What’s App and a response will be provided.
NCCC Chaingang Explained!
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
A Chain Gang is a type of group ride in which riders share the work on the front to benefit from the efficiency of riders working together. This is achieved by a continuous rotation, avoiding any one rider being on the front, exposed to the wind for a prolonged time.
Rotation – Due to the course we use, we rotate in an anticlockwise fashion. Riders on the right move forward, slotting in in front, and when they are on the left, the recovery phase begins. Until reaching the back of the right-hand line and moving across to join the left forward moving line.
People who remember the Chain Gang of old will know how spicy it would get, and even seasoned group one riders would find themselves struggling early in the second lap.
The plan, continuing from last year, is that the first part of route will be strictly non-drop, with the point at which this changes being advised at the start of the ride.
Historically, chain gangs have been aimed at group one and two riders who want to push themselves and gain confidence riding in close proximity to others, potentially with the aim of entering some races down the line.
Due to increasing interest, particularly in regards to a more introductory level of chaingang, we aim to be running at least two groups, one being the classic chain gang and a second for riders looking to give it a go and develop their skills, therefore for both PACELINE and CHAINGANG rides we have some good news changes this year!
NCCC are introducing new Development Groups for these rides which will be aimed at riders who are comfortable riding from a minimum 14+ mph average speed (group 3).The development rides are additional to the regular rides to encourage more participation.
Watch out for the club WhatsApp announcements for more details.
The Route links, starting from Dekomte, are:
https://www.strava.com/routes/3471995375404039100
https://connect.garmin.com/app/course/44275579