The toughest of days on the bike are definitely best with company. If you can find a friend who is in a similar boat, and just wants to get round, buddying up and agreeing to work together to keep each other motivated is a great idea.

6 Tips For Your First Club Ride

If your event is draft legal, as well, you can even be a bit clever with your efforts and get around quicker than you would have on your own.

Ideally, you can get a mate to enter with you, otherwise, many events have social forums – Facebook groups or Strava groups where you can find ride buddies. Obviously, be careful when meeting anyone you encountered online.

Just make sure you’re of a similar ability level, and both honestly committed to the cause – no one want to be getting frustrated, and no one wants to be getting dropped!