Your ride is planned for this weekend -fantastic!

You really don’t need to be nervous in any way – but it does make sense to ensure that you’re not going to suffer a ride-halting mechanical on your first outing. Should this happen, a good club will ensure you’re looked after – but it’s really best avoided!

Make sure:

• Your gears and brakes are working – ideally not squeaking!
• Your bike is set up in a comfortable position – you don’t want to be worrying about saddle angle mid-ride 
• You’ve got a spare inner tube or patches, tyre levers, a mini pump or Co2, and a multi tool
• You are carrying enough food and drink for your ride
• You’ve got some cash. Anyone at my own club will laugh at this, as I’m often the one trying to pay for a flapjack and a coffee with a debit card – but usually club coffee stops are at cute cafes in the lanes, that quite often don’t accept cards

• You’re wearing kit that you’re comfortable in and that is fit for the conditions on the weather forecast (no one will judge you for not having a rain jacket if you’re hit by a random flash flood, just be sensible!)