Club Group Rides

Group rides are the heartbeat of our club. The combination of cycling together, socializing, and enjoying coffee after rides brings genuine joy to our members.

Many cyclists hesitate to join clubs due to intimidating stories - hardcore riders setting brutal paces, beginners being left behind, or unwelcoming attitudes. We're proud to say that Newbury Velo is the complete opposite. Joining us is one of the best decisions you can make to enhance your cycling skills, build fitness, and connect with like-minded friends.

Riding with a group truly accelerates your cycling development. You'll learn valuable group riding techniques and safety practices, while finding the motivation to venture out even on those challenging winter mornings - it's always easier when you know friendly faces are waiting for you.

We offer multiple riding groups catering to different abilities, with our "coffee class" system matching pace to skill level. Whether you're just starting out or looking for a challenging ride, we have a perfect group for you.

Our riding options extend beyond road cycling. We're actively recruiting more off-road enthusiasts to join our NVXC rides, which frequently explore exciting destinations like Swinley Forest for mountain biking or The New Forest for gravel adventures.

With regular rides scheduled on Sundays and throughout the week, you'll easily find options that fit your schedule and preferences.

If you are visiting West Berkshire from elsewhere in the country, or indeed the world, we’d love you to come and ride with us on a Sunday group ride. contact our participation leads to arrange your ride.

Weekday Group Rides

Modern-day life rarely follows a traditional 9-5 schedule. Whether you work flexible hours, enjoy retirement, or simply prefer cycling during various times of the day, we've created a diverse calendar of weekday riding opportunities to accommodate as many members as possible.

Wednesday Daytime Rides

We typically offer two distinct Wednesday rides:

• Morning Latte-Cappuccino Ride: A faster-paced outing departing from Wash Common at 9:30am, perfect for those seeking a slightly more spirited start to their day

• Afternoon Flat White Ride: Starting from the Clocktower, this ride offers a more moderate pace, ideal for those preferring a relaxed tempo

Members are also welcome to arrange their own group rides based on availability. Most weekday rides fall somewhere between Flat White and Cappuccino pace classes. All rides operate on a strict non-drop policy, no rider is left behind, and will be listed on our Spond app.

Evening Rides (Spring and Summer)

Wednesday Evenings

Meet at the Clocktower at 6:15pm weekly after the clocks change. These Latte/Cappuccino-paced rides cover around 28 miles/40km through quiet lanes around Newbury. Perfect for after-work cycling. Groups may split based on ability to ensure everyone enjoys their ride.

Thursday Evenings

Looking for a challenge? Our chain gang rides will deliver the intensity you're seeking!

A chain gang consists of cyclists riding in a tight formation, typically two parallel lines drafting behind the leader. This efficient formation takes advantage of the physics of cycling, it's significantly harder to ride at the front breaking the wind than in the sheltered position behind another rider. "Riding through and off" (another term for chain gang or paceline riding) is an essential skill in competitive road cycling. This technique allows you to maintain much higher speeds than you could achieve riding solo, as riders take turns at the front before rotating back. New to chain gang riding? Don't worry—we'll teach you the proper technique. Like our other evening rides, we often divide into ability-based groups so everyone can ride at a comfortable yet challenging pace.

Evening Rides (Winter Months)

Wednesday Evening 'Owl Rides'

When daylight fades and temperatures drop, Newbury Velo's dedicated riders don't retreat indoors, we transform into "Night Owls." These exhilarating Latte-paced rides cut through the winter darkness, with powerful lights illuminating country lanes around Newbury. Riders wear reflective gear and use high-visibility accessories, creating a striking spectacle as they navigate the nighttime routes. What makes these Owl rides particularly special is the post-ride tradition—despite the winter chill, the group gathers in town for the unexpected but delightful combination of ice cream and hot coffee. This contrast of cold treats and warming drinks creates the perfect environment for cyclists to share their night riding experiences. The Owl rides have developed their own unique camaraderie, with regular participants embracing the challenge and magic of winter night cycling.

Saturday Group Rides

Steelie Rides (Spring and Summer)

A small group of dedicated steel bike enthusiasts ride vintage machines on Saturdays through Spring and Summer. These leisurely rides focus on conversation and typically include a pub lunch with fish and chips. They even have vintage-inspired kit for 2024 and are willing to lend bikes to let others experience that "steel is real!"Other Riding Opportunities

While there are no formal daytime rides, members can arrange group rides based on availability. We're looking for volunteers to help lead these rides, which are typically at a Latte pace. All rides are non-drop and listed on Spond.

Whether you want to explore new places, need motivation to cycle, or want to share social rides with like-minded people, come join a Newbury Velo group ride!

Sunday Afternoon Cortado Rides

In addition to our regular Sunday morning outings, we're pleased to offer a monthly Sunday afternoon ride option. While this ride maintains our relaxed Mochaccino pace, we've given it a distinct name, the Cortado, to clearly identify it as our Sunday afternoon offering. This provides a perfect option for members who can't make morning rides due to family commitments, prefer a more leisurely start to their Sundays, or simply want to add an extra social ride to their weekend. The Cortado rides follow scenic routes around Newbury, typically lasting 2-2.5 hours with the same welcoming atmosphere as our morning rides. They conclude at a café spot, extending the social aspect of cycling well into the afternoon.

NVXC: Our Off-Road Division

The off-road enthusiasts in our club are served by the NVXC section—Newbury Velo Cross Country. These specialized outings run monthly and explore various exciting locations throughout the region. NVXC rides cater to different off-road disciplines, focusing primarily on:

• Flowing single-track trails through woodland areas

• Mixed-terrain gravel routes exploring countryside paths and bridleways

• Adventure rides that combine multiple surfaces for a diverse cycling experience

While we embrace the thrill of off-road riding, it's worth noting that we don't participate in downhill racing—our focus remains on accessible, enjoyable off-road experiences that emphasize fun, skill development, and exploration rather than extreme technical challenges. These rides welcome all ability levels, with route options often available to accommodate different experience levels. Members typically gather afterward to share stories of their muddy adventures over refreshments.

British Cycling and GCN’s s video on how to ride in a group.