Organised club runs take place every Saturday and Sunday all year round. Depending on the time of year, weather and numbers the run can vary in distance from approximately 40 to 70 miles.
If you are considering coming out on your first group ride but are worried about your fitness level or cycling ability, as a general rule if you can cycle for 2 hours at around 15mph on your own you will hopefully fit in well with the group.
In a group you can save a lot of energy riding in the slipstream of other cyclists so the pace may be higher but you won’t have to do all the work yourself!!
Getting used to riding so close to other cyclists may be difficult initially but in time you will improve your bike handling and be able to ride through the group saving you energy.
What to bring……????
- Spare inner tube, tyre levers, pump
- Water bottle
- Snack/emergency food (e.g. energy gel/bar, banana, cereal bar)
- Gilet or waterproof coat (the weather in NI tends to be a little ‘changeable’)
- Mobile phone
- Money for emergencies and coffee stop
Saturday runs meet at 930am at the site of the old Down Royal night club on the Ballinderry Road/Knockmore Road crossroads. These runs generally include a coffee stop but all those participating should be prepared to cycle for 2hours without stopping.
Sunday runs meet at 9am at the front of the Bow Street Mall in Lisburn. The majority of the Sunday runs don’t include a coffee stop and tend to split after 1-2 hours with some of the group doing 2hours total and others doing 3-4hours but should you need to return home earlier somebody will let you know when is the best time and where to turn off.
All those participating do so at their own risk and we ask that after joining us for 3 runs you take up membership with the club through Cycling Ireland which will provide insurance from as little as £29 per year.
For more information on getting started in cycling please view our beginning cycling page, joining Maryland Wheelers or come along to one of the club runs and get to know the Maryland Wheelers!