Riding in a group is the best way to improve your cycling ability, fitness and sense  of fun. The level of support you get from the ride leader and other cyclists is huge, allowing you to go further, faster and higher without fear of getting stuck or lost. Whilst you benefit from the support of others however, there are certain things you should take with you on a group ride.

Every cyclists is a little bit different, so what they take on a ride can be personal to them, but there are a few staples that you should carry on a ride. Having a ride leader or friend to help you fix a puncture is great, but you don't want to be borrowing all the bits from them too!

We have included links to all products below to illustrate exactly what we mean, and to help you shop. We have used links to our partners as club members get 20-50% off. Find out about joining the club here.

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The questions we probably get asked the most revolve around average speed and which group is the 'right' one for people to join on a ride. Not only that, but the fear of picking the 'wrong' group or being worried about the level of the ride is probably the biggest cause of people not joining a ride in the first place. And this isn't just new and beginner riders; we get questions from experienced riders who are also trying to gauge the pace of the ride too. It's big deal, so we thought we'd cover some of the main concerns, as well as try and explain what each of the group levels really mean.

It is worth saying at this point that none of the below is designed to put people off from joining a ride or even the group they want to join. It's merely a guide to try and help you into the right group or ride for your level, and then give you options when you do feel ready to push yourself a bit more. If you are at all unsure about what group to join then please always email us or message us on social media. We're aways happy to have a chat and work out what's best for you.

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"... If you find yourself alone, riding in green fields with the sun on your face, do not be troubled. For you are in Elysium..."
Maximus Decimus Meridius, The Gladiator.

It's roughly 12:30pm on Sunday, and Russell Crowe's speech from the beginning of Gladiator has just come into my head. I am riding through open fields with the sun on my face and the wind on my back.

Having just climbed La Speranza, a 5km climb at an average of 10% and total elevation gain of 500 metres, in 30 degree heat; metaphorically I feel like I might have died! However once the pain had ended, and the epic gradient relented, the road extended before me invitingly, I knew that I wasn't in fact in Elysium, but in cycling heaven. As per Russell's instructions; I certainly wasn't troubled.

Before I romanticise anymore about Sunday's climbing, let me go back to the beginning of the weekend and start from the top.

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Another lockdown, another opportunity to explore your local roads, hopefully without the huge traffic jams of normal times!

Each lockdown we've created a bunch of cycling challenges for our members to complete to help stave off the boredom and keep the wheels spinning. However this lockdown, we've decided to create a bingo board of local cycling challenges. The game is open to all, and we'd love you to play along!

Anyone who completes the whole board will be added to a prize draw to win some Attacus made Dirty Wknd club kit. Deadline to complete your board is Feb 15th 2021.

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We are absolutely ecstatic to announce Dirty Wknd as the official training partner for the British Heart Foundation's London To Brighton Bike Ride. Every year on Father's Day (Sun 16th June), thousands of people will ride from Clapham Common down to the Brighton seafront on mostly closed roads and this year you can be involved.

As official training partner we will be running 12 training rides exclusively for L2B riders, as well as providing training blogs, videos and tips to help you get ready for the big ride.Not only that but we will be entering a number of discounted Dirty Wknd teams into the event. So if you've always wanted to cycling London to Brighton, or want support the great work BHF do, now is your chance!

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