Over the years, as our Runs Programme has expanded, we have tried to group rides into certain named categories which would give an idea of what to expect on each type of ride.
This has proven to be more difficult than expected.
For example, the term "Easy Going" is very much a relative one.
25 miles may be easy for some but not so for others!
Nevertheless, click/tap on any of the buttons below to get a generic description of the various ride categories on offer during this year.
Note that the buttons reflect only what is currently on offer in our ride calendar.
As new rides are added throughout the year, more categories may be added.
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Cycling UK plays an important role in campaigning for improvements and appropriate maintenance.
Use the following to register your concerns but also let Cycle Ayrshire, part of Cycling UK, know what your issue is - we may be able to advise or help.
Road repairs no longer fall witin the remit of each Ayrshire local council.
Responsibility for road repairs throughout South and East Ayrshire is now handled by the Ayrshire Roads Alliance.
You can contact the Ayrshire Roads Alliance directly at enquiries@ayrshireroadsalliance.org
For North Ayrshire, road faults can be reported online at: https://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/report-road-fault.aspx or via e-mail at contactus@north-ayrshire.gov.uk.
(Correct at time of writing - 20/3/21)
Similarly, cycle path repairs no longer fall witin the remit of each Ayrshire local council.
Responsibility for cycle path repairs throughout South and East Ayrshire is also handled by the Ayrshire Roads Alliance.
You can contact the Ayrshire Roads Alliance directly at enquiries@ayrshireroadsalliance.org
Again, for North Ayrshire, cycle path issues are handled by the Roads Department. They can be reported online at: https://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/report-road-fault.aspx or via e-mail at contactus@north-ayrshire.gov.uk.
(Correct at time of writing - 20/3/21)
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Over the years, as our Runs Programme has expanded, we have tried to group rides into certain named categories which would give an idea of what to expect on each type of ride.
This has proven to be more difficult than expected.
For example, the term "Easy Going" is very much a relative one.
25 miles may be easy for some but not so for others!
Nevertheless, the list below gives generic descriptions of the various ride categories we offer.
Note that not all categories of events may be run in a particular year.
Self explanatory!
Annual General Meeting of the Cycling UK Ayrshire Member Group.
Any full (not affiliate) Cycling UK member can attend and vote at the AGM of any Member Group on production of a valid Cycling UK membership card.
Full members may also apply for committee positions.
A Do-It-Yourself ride with a social element.
Start from wherever you like, cycle to a designated cafe/restaurant/garden centre/whatever, arrive around the designated time, meet up with other local Cycling UK members, put the world to rights over a coffee then head for home - perhaps with company for some of the way.
Normally, Easy Going events are approx. 25 miles in length although can be anywhere from 20-30 miles long.
Easy describes the pace, not necessarily the amount of ascent involved!
Average speed is normally 8-10mph on the road.
A 25 mile ride would normally involve 3-3.5 hrs of cycling and approx. 1 hour for lunch stops, re-grouping, etc.
Lunch stops tend to be picnic style during the warmer months, for which you bring your own food.
During the winter months they tend to be in a pub/cafe/restaurant, but this may not be possible due to any prevailing Covid restrictions.
Figure-of-eight rides are essentially Main rides configured to allow joining the ride somewhere for a shorter distance outing.
They always return to the start points for both the longer and shorter distances.
Ladies only events are normally 15-25 miles in length although can occasionally be shorter/longer depending on the exact classification. e.g. Ladies Only, Ladies Longer, etc.
Cycles at a relaxed pace with coffee/lunch stops along the way.
Check the details of a particular ride for distance, lunch arrangements, etc.
Exactly the same setup as our standard DIY meetings except, as the title suggests, for Ladies Only.
Start from wherever you like, cycle to a designated cafe/restaurant/garden centre/whatever, arrive around the designated time, meet up with other local Cycling UK ladies, put the world to rights over a coffee then head for home - perhaps with company for some of the way.
Main rides vary from 30 - 60+ miles long.
Average on-road speed can be anywhere from 8-14mph, depending on route, weather and mix of participants.
We do find that most rides average out at 10-12mph on-road speed with additional time for lunch/picnic break(s).
Lunch stops tend to be picnic style during the warmer months, for which you bring your own food.
During the winter months they tend to be in a pub/cafe/restaurant, but this may not be possible due to any prevailing Covid restrictions.
Midweek events vary from 30 - 60 miles in length and normally take place from late spring through late summer.
Average on-road speed can be anywhere from 9-12mph, depending on route, weather and mix of participants.
Bring your own food.
All lunch breaks are picnic style unless indicated otherwise in the ride details.
A "Non-Stop Twenty" is a continuous ride of approx. 20 miles.
No stops for coffee or lunch during the ride - we just keep pedalling!
The aim is to take no more than 2 hours for the ride, so you should be able to average 10mph non-stop for 2 hours if you want to participate in these rides.
The rides will start at/near a cafe/tearoom for an optional lunch at the end of the ride - or you could decide to go straight home - your choice.
A "Non-Stop Thirty" is a continuous ride of approx. 30 miles.
No stops for coffee or lunch during the ride - we just keep pedalling!
The aim is to take no more than 3 hours for the ride, so you should be able to average 10mph non-stop for 3 hours if you want to participate in these rides.
The rides will start at/near a cafe/tearoom for an optional lunch at the end of the ride - you could decide to go straight home - your choice.
Public rides are, unsurprisingly, open to the general public.
Most of these rides are free but a few are pay to enter.
Any fees will be outlined in the individual ride descriptions.
These rides are registered as Public rides with Cycling UK and therefore have special insurance to cover those who are not Cycling UK members.
Some events have age restrictions, details of which can be found here
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