Safety & FAQ
Safety briefing
- Wear a helmet. Despite recent advances in medical science, brains still cannot be mended nor replaced.
- Wear gloves or mitts. Hands often hit the ground first. Cuts and grazes invite infection and a hospital visit.
- Wear eye protection — it only takes a twig or thorn to lose an eye. Off-road mudguards / Crud Catchers are a good idea in mucky weather.
- When downhilling, for your own protection, allow plenty of space behind the rider in front.
- Bring a bare minimum emergency tool kit, a spare inner tube and a bike lock for outside the pub.
- Breakdowns are a bore. Plan not to have any by ensuring your bike is in perfect working order.
- Punctures are also tedious. You can minimise them by fitting latex tubes, slime tubes, or running tubeless tyres.
- Don’t ride too close to the person in front. If they crash into a badger, you’ll need time to swerve.
Don’t trash our planet
Leave it the way you would like to find it, so don’t pollute, scar or damage the great outdoors. Be friendly to other countryside users, slow down, say good morning/afternoon, and smile a lot.
Frequently asked questions
Do ask on The Forum for further information, or questions not listed here.
What bike is required?
A mountain or gravel bike. In winter, gravel bikes need mud tyres. With lights.
How far and how fast?
It depends on who is riding, conditions and the route. As a guideline, in good conditions (good weather, dry ground, no breakdowns or other extended stoppages) think 30km over 2 hours from Brookside to the pub, on a mixture of bridleways and country roads. This is Cambridgeshire, so some undulations but no hills. Winter rides are shorter and off-road sections slower.
Are there age limits?
Under-18s should be accompanied by an adult. Otherwise it’s about fitness and stamina. Most under 16 would probably struggle. There are some regular riders in their 70s, who tend to take short cuts (“I’ll take the road to the pub from here”).