Ride Categories

Over the years, as our Ride Programme has evolved, we have tried to group rides into certain categories which would give an idea of what to expect on each type of ride.

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.

A random image from club events.

AGM

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.

D.I.Y.

A Do-It-Yourself ride with a social element.

Start from wherever you like, cycle to a designated cafe/restaurant/garden centre/wherever and 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.

Leaders

A meeting where club members can have direct access to our Ride Co-ordinators to volunteer to lead a ride or, to get info. on how to lead/prepare for a ride.

Includes such items as route planning and considerations, food stops, leader's responsibilities, etc.

Longer

Longer rides are 31 - 60 miles long and will include differing gradients/ hills.

May also include varied terrain.

Average speed of 10-12 mph though could be slower depending on participants, additional time for food stops and regrouping.

Check out the event specific information for more detail of the route, food stops, etc.

Medium

Medium rides are 20- 30 miles long and may include sections of gradients/ hills.

Average speed 8-10mph.

e.g. A 25 mile ride involves approx. 2.5 to 3 hours of cycling with additional time for food stops and regrouping.

Check out the event specific information for more detail of the route, food stops, etc.

Non-stop 20

A continuous ride of approx. 20 miles.

No stops other than for re-grouping.

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.

Non-stop 30

A continuous ride of approx. 30 miles.

No stops other than for re-grouping.

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.

Open

Open 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 Open 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

Short

Our short rides cover anything from 10 - 20 miles in length.

Cycled at a relaxed pace and may involve some gradients/hills.

Social Event

Social events do not normally involve cycling but that is not a given !

They are mainly get-togethers for the club members which usually involve food...

Special

Special rides can be anything from long, fast rides to short, themed rides to mainly off-road rides.

Check the ride description carefully before registering.

Starter

Starter rides cover all rides under 10 miles.

They are usually aimed at groups such as returnee cyclists, those for whom 10 miles is a new challenge/experience, those wishing to try group cycling for the first time. etc.

They are normally run along cycle paths/routes and minor roads so are quite flat in profile.

Womens Longer

Usually 25+ miles with an average speed 8-10mph.

May include some gradient /hills.

Check out the event specific information for more detail of the route, food stops, etc.

Womens

Usually 15 - 25 miles long at a relaxed pace.

Participants on the day will determine the pace.

Could involve some gradients.

Check out the event specific information for more detail of the route, food stops, etc.