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 for this year.
Note that the list reflects only what is currently on offer in our ride calendar.
As new rides are added throughout the year, the list may grow.
No categories were found for this year.
This usually means there are no events for the current calendar year at this time.
Once events show in the Events Calendar, category descriptions will appear here.
A complete list of possible categories and their description can be found using the button below.
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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.
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.
Easy Going events are normally around 25 miles in length although can occasionally be longer.
Easy describes the pace, not necessarily the terrain.
Average speed is normally 8-10mph, not including time taken 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.
The type of lunch is specified for each ride.
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 Longer rides are cycled at a similar pace to the Ladies Only rides.
i.e. Cycled at a very relaxed pace.
However, they are longer in distance, can take place on days other than a Saturday and may involve outdoor picnic lunches rather than indoor lunches at a cafe/restaurant/etc.
Usually around 25 miles long but can be longer.
Ladies Only events are scheduled on the first Saturday of each month.
Usually no more than 15 miles long and cycled at a very relaxed pace.
Lunch stop during the ride.
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.
This event is open to members of the public, as long as they are women.
Main Run events vary from 30 - 60+ miles long.
Average on-road speed can be anywhere from 8-14mph, depending on route, weather and mix of participants.
The average speed does not include time taken for lunch stops, re-grouping, etc.
Lunch stops are usually picnic style during the warmer months and indoors during the winter.
Mid-week events vary in distance from 25 - 50 miles.
Run fortnightly on a Wednesday over late spring and summer.
Moderate pace (9-12mph average) which will vary depending on group members, weather and terrain to be covered.
Bring your own food on all mid-week events unless otherwise indicated.
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
Our Special Run category covers rides which do not fit into our standard descriptions.
They contain things such as Hostel weekends, fast pace rides, rides which start outside of Ayrshire, themed outings, etc.
As such, they can be any length/speed.
If you are unsure as to whether a particular run will suit your abilities, contact one of our Run Co-ordinators, via the Contact link, for additional information on any ride.
Details are contained in each ride description.
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With the changing restrictions on group cycling imposed by Covid-19 regulations, the club made the decision to suspend all group rides until such times as the regulations eased and allowed for reasonable group sizes to once again take to the roads and paths of Ayrshire .
As we are a pan-Ayrshire group with starting points across all three Ayrshire counties, adhering to some Covid regulations (e.g. staying within one local council area) was not practicable.
We continue to monitor the situation and, when appropriate, group rides will once again appear in our Ride Calendar.
Check back occasionally to see if group rides have resumed.
No Group Rides does not mean no cycling!
You can still go out on your own and keep the fitness up for the return of group rides...