Kingston family-friendly autumn bike ride

BOOST YOUR CYCLING CONFIDENCE THIS AUTUMN ON KINGSTON’S NEXT FUN ‘PARK & RIDE’ EVENT

Join us on Sunday 6 October 2024 for the final fun-packed family-friendly ride of the year! Designed with all ages and cycling abilities in mind, this easy-paced and short ride will take us from Surbiton via the river to North Kingston, making the most of quiet roads and traffic-free routes.

Organised by Kingston Cycling Campaign, with the support of Full Cycle Community Bike Project, invite your friends, neighbours and family, and maybe even discover a few new routes on this easy ride through the borough! We’ll be starting from Claremont Gardens, a stones through from Surbiton station, and gathering at 10.45am for the ride briefing before we set off at 11am. Meeting point will be just inside the gardens at the junction of The Crescent and Grove Road – exact point marked on the map here.

All need participants to be registered here to take part, so reserve your spot now (NB: please book one space for every rider so we know how many people to expect) and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more updates in the run-up to the ride or to keep up to date on other Kingston activity. And see the FAQ section below for more information about the ride, and what you might need to know before the event.

“What a brilliant event! Gave me the nudge I needed to get back on the bike after many years.”

“Being in a group makes such a difference and gives us the confidence to venture a bit further as a family.”

GENERAL RIDE FAQS / INFORMATION:

• How easy is the ride? This will be an easy and enjoyable route, ridden at a leisurely group pace. Designed to be suitable for younger and less experienced cyclists, this flat 6.5-mile circular route will take us through Kingston town centre, along some of North Kingston’s quiet routes, and back along the river.
• Are children welcome? Accompanied children (under 18) and vulnerable adults with a carer are very welcome to join us. Whilst as much of the ride as possible is on quieter roads, it will include some roads that may have other traffic, so please keep on the right-hand side of your children.
• What ages is the ride suitable for? Note that, as the ride is not entirely on cycle lanes, it may not be suitable for very young children and we would recommend that any children under 5 riding solo (with a parent) are experienced cyclists.
• How can I build my bike skills before the ride? Kingston Council offers fully-subsidised Cycle Skills training for adults and families to help you gain confidence (more info here)
• What should I wear? Please wear whatever you feel comfortable riding in, keeping an eye on the weather forecast to determine whether you should bring a waterproof jacket, sun tan lotion, etc. It is your choice whether you would like to wear a bike helmet or high-vis clothing – we do not insist on either to join the ride.
• Is my bike suitable? We test our rides with a range of bicycles, including cargo and Brompton bikes, to make it as inclusive as possible. If you’re in any doubt about the suitability or roadworthiness of your bike, there are a number of cycle repair shops across Kingston that can assist you, including Full Cycle who will be supporting the ride. Before joining the ride, see http://lcc.org.uk/advice/bike-safety-check/
• What should I bring? Some of the basic equipment you may wish to consider bringing on the ride include lights, drinks and snacks, plus a bike lock if you plan to take advantage of the park after the ride. You might also want to bring a spare inner tube and/or a bike pump if you have one.
• How can I keep up momentum after the ride and keep building my cycle confidence? Kingston Cycling Campaign offers cycling 1:1s to help you plot local routes and feel more confident about using a bike for short journeys, whether to work, shops or school via the LCC Cycle Buddies scheme. We also have lots of cycle-related information and links on kingstoncycling.org.uk/local-information/, from bike hire to cycle parking, inclusive cycling opportunities to bike-marking session and handy tools to help you plan your next cycle route.
• How do group rides work? Our rides are always planned and led by a qualified ride leader, and accompanied by experienced marshals to help keep the group together, where possible, and cross junctions safely with minimal disruption to fellow road users. Ride leaders are experienced Kingston Cycling Campaign members and include qualified mechanics, first aiders and cycling instructors. With the ride leader at the front directing the ride, we ensure there is a marshal at the back of the group, ensuring no one gets left behind.
• Will any photos be taken? This event will be photographed and the images used afterwards to promote London Cycling Campaign (of which we’re the local group) and our charitable work. If you would like to opt-out of photography for you or your children, please speak to a member of the ride team (wearing a fluorescent tabard) on the day.

INDIVIDUAL RIDERS MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR:

• Checking the information given for the ride so you can judge that you are capable of completing the ride, and carrying any refreshments or bike equipment you might need
• Listening to and following ride leader and marshal instructions, including informing the ride leader if you have any medical conditions it might be important we know about plus a marshal if you leave the ride midway (so we know not to look for you!)
• The road-worthiness of your bike. NB: See helpful advice on how to do this on lcc.org.uk/advice/bike-safety-check/
• Your own personal safety on the road, and the safety of any children or vulnerable adults with you, including complying with the Highway Code
• Any loss or damage caused (eg: scratching the paint on a parked car) NB: If you are an LCC member your membership includes third party insurance which would cover this.
• Making sure you do not turn up to this event if you are displaying any Covid-19 symptoms or think you may have it.

If you have any other questions before the event or need to cancel your booking, contact the ride leader at rogerdodge59@gmail.com