Riding in a group is an efficient and sociable way to cover any distance sharing the effort between everyone. It is important to firstly be alert and to concentrate, you should know where you are in relation to the other riders and also be aware of hazards such as traffic and pedestrians.
 
When cycling in a group, it is important to follow certain etiquette and safety guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride for everyone involved. Here are a few key tips:

• Ride in a single file or double line, taking turns at the front to reduce wind resistance and allow others to draft behind you. Good practice is to swap turns every ten minutes – either swing over anti-clockwise (UK) and change one rider or have both riders from the front peel off and drop to the back.
• Communicate effectively with hand signals and verbal cues to alert others of turns, hazards, and changes in pace or direction. Don’t shout about every crisp packet and leaf – you only need to point out real hazards.
• Do shout that everyone is back on after a stop for lights or to navigate a junction - the riders at the front might not be aware that someone has not yet got back on.
• Maintain a consistent speed and pace and avoid sudden stops or turns to prevent collisions. Ride at the pace that the slowest ride can keep up – don’t expect weaker or slower riders to do a turn but always aim to do your fair share if you are able. Group riding is a group effort.
• When you hit a hill or uphill drag, gently ease the pace and be aware of the riders behind you. Drop down a sprocket or two and ride steadily rather than try to ride off the front. Aim to keep the group together up hills as well as on the flat. This is a great skill to have and really makes a difference to the group behind. You are better off riding up a hill a little slower than you would normally if it keeps the group intact and means you don’t have to re-group at the top. 
• Riders behind the leaders should remain there rather than surging past on hills and drags.
• Leave enough room between each cyclist to allow for manoeuvring and to avoid touching wheels.
• Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially for other cyclists, vehicles, and road hazards.
• Obey traffic laws and signals, and be mindful of other road users.
• Be respectful and considerate of other cyclists in the group, especially those with less experience or ability.
• At junctions and traffic islands (roundabouts) the lead riders need to be aware of the group behind them. Only proceed if it is safe for the rest of the group to follow. Likewise, the riders behind should follow the riders in front of them around junctions and islands. Stopping and breaking up the group not only hinders the progress of the group but creates lots of smaller groups on the road which are harder for traffic to manage.
• Keep an eye on the cadence and gear that other riders are riding in and ride similar. Rolling round in a big gear not only tires your legs and is inefficient but will lead to you riding at a pace different to the rest of the group. This will see you surge past the rider in front of you and drop behind the rider to the side of you and cause disruption to the group. Look at what other riders are doing – not at your bike computer.
• When riding at the front, be aware that around corners and after slowing for junctions there will be a ‘concertina’ effect. On twisty roads, you will be exiting a bend and moving back up to speed whilst the riders at the back are still slowing down for the corner. Drop your speed after corners and let the group get back together.
• When riding on the front, call out hazards such as holes, drain covers, ice, diesel spills, objects in the road. You don’t need to call out everything – only those things that are likely to cause an incident such as a fall or broken wheel.
• If necessary, slow for oncoming traffic. Calling out ‘car down’ tells the group that there is a car approaching and heading down the bunch. When encountering horses or other wildlife, slow down to a walking pace if necessary and let the rider know you have seen them. 
• If a vehicle is going to pass the group, call out ‘car up’ to let others know that a car will be moving up the group.
• In cases where traffic builds up behind the group – on narrow lanes for example, look at pulling over at a safe place and letting them past.

 
Whilst not exhaustive, this should give you enough to be able to fit comfortably into any group ride around the world. If you think we’ve missed anything, drop a note in the comments.
 
 

As far as cycling is concerned, a day out in the high mountains is one of the best experiences you can have. From riding in the valleys between snow capped mountains to making your way up them along ancient winding paths, there is something special about being there on a bike.

We are very lucky to have the alpes and pyrenees virtually on our doorsteps and over the years, have made many a pilgrimage there either on a holiday, riding events or taking clients. 

We don't generally agree that you need climbs to make cycling fun, far from it. But the variety of riding in the mountains combined with the weather and scenery can make for an unforgettable experience and one that we think all cyclists should try at least once.

Check out the gallery above to see a little of what there is out there and of course, contact us if you'd like to see it in person!

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One thing that is taken for granted by experienced riders is having a head full of routes of different lengths and difficulties. For some, they are rides passed down by older generations of club riders, for others they have built up a collection through trial and error. 

It's easy to tell a client to go and ride for 3 hours - but can be a little harder for them to work out where to go. 

There's no hard and fast rules on where to ride, just some hints and tips on what has worked previously. When visiting somewhere new, I'll pretty much follow the same process.

Firstly - I'll look at the wind direction and aim to get a tailwind home - or at least not a block headwind! This isn't always possible but is worth aiming for.

Secondly, I'll look to avoid any main roads - especially in the UK. Using the Strava heatmap will show popular roads in unfamiliar locations and will also show you where there are climbs and other places of interest.

How do you familiarise yourself with new surroundings? What tips can you pass on? Let us know in the comments.

As anyone who has tried to fit their training around work will know, there are only so many hours in a day and there's always distractions or commitments at home that get in the way of training.

Rather than seeing commuting as a way to avoid the congestion charge or reduce car use, look at it as a bonus training session.

At the start of the week, allow yourself time to have a gentle recovery ride in to and out of work.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, look at doing some intensity - sprinting between traffic lights or trying to maintain a good speed up a climb will give you a good intensity workout. Ride a big gear / low cadence is another option, standing starts in a big gear will build leg strength.

As the weekend approaches, ease back on the intensity and you'll be fresh for any long weekend rides you have planned.

If your commute isn't very long - look at extending it on days where you have time or want to get a bit more bike work done.

Do you commute or do you work from home? What training tips would you pass on?

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It happens at least once a year but each time it hits us, it comes as a surprise! The days of riding on dry roads with (almost) clear skies are long gone and cycling all of a sudden seems a lot less enjoyable than it should be. Ring any bells?

In the not too distant past, we'd be pulling on thick jackets and ski gloves and woolly hats but still be frozen through at the end of a ride.
​Overshoes were bulky and didn't really stop the toes from getting so cold they hurt!

Bike technology has moved on in leaps and bounds recently with electronic gearing and more wheel choices than you can shake a stick at but the biggest development as far as I'm concerned is clothing.

Gone are the days where you'd need a thermal vest, jersey, long sleeve jersey and rain jacket. You can ride in all but the worst winter conditions in an undervest and jacket. A rain jacket that fits easily in a rear pocket will actually keep you dry and not just make you overheat. Gloves that not only keep your fingers warm but also let you brake and change gear and overshoes and socks that keep your toes warm. And best of all, they dry easily overnight.

It's been said countless times that there's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing and these days that is true. 

If you want to get the most out of the winter riding, invest in some quality winter kit, it'll last you for years and really will transform your winter riding.

We choose Le Col kit, it's a British company run by cyclists and the kit is fantastic quality. The Aqua Zero jacket in particular is a winter essential.

Kit aside, there are a few more things you can do to make your winter riding more enjoyable and safer.

Be seen! This isn't just a matter of strapping on lights and wearing reflective clothing. Be aware of the low sun and avoid riding directly towards it. Choose your route with the light conditions in mind - the glare of the low sun can really affect the vision of other road users so don't put yourself in harms way.

Mind the ice. Again, the low sun will mean that icy patches remain present on many roads until late in the morning. Pick the roads you ride on so that you avoid any that have been in the shade all morning when there has been a frost. If you can, leave later than normal so that any ice will have melted. Only major roads seem to be gritted these days so rather than risk busy roads, choose a time where the quieter roads will have had some sun. If in doubt - stay in. It's better to miss a ride due to ice than to miss 6 weeks due to a broken leg.

There's been a big improvement in indoor trainers with on-line riding providing a way to add a social aspect to what was a solitary endeavour in the past. We hold twice weekly zwift rides for anyone to join.

Whatever you do, don't let the bad weather become an excuse not to ride, you can still ride, inside and out and keep enjoying your riding all year round.