Club Name:
The Widger Spoke Easies
Where are you based?
Launceston, Cornwall.
Ride start locations are usually within 10 mile radius of Launceston
Cycling Disciplines:
We are a women’s club, predominantly focusing on road cycling although we have members who also mountain bike and take part in triathlons.
What is your club ethos?
To get women on bikes / back on bikes and going for the kind of rides they want to do, whilst feeling safe, confident and happy. We emphasise fun, supportive progress, participation and cycling skills both on and off the bike.
What is the best thing about your club?
Our club has a reputation as a friendly club which always makes new members feel welcome. On Sportives you can usually hear us before you see us because of the chat.
What club rides do you run?:
Pre COVID we were running:
- Sat (alternating am and pm starts): 4 levels of ride starting at the same location and time. The easiest goes at the pace of the slowest rider and covers 10-15 miles. The hardest ride goes at 14-16mph and covers 35-50 miles.
- Monday ride leaving at 10am for Ladies who cycle to lunch (20ish miles at 10-12mph).
- Thursday evening ride leaving at 7pm (summer only). A social ride with well behaved Partners invited. 20ish miles at 10-12mph ending at the pub.
During COVID we have been running Zwift group rides on Saturdays and Thursdays as well as encouraging members to ride socially in pairs.
Do you wait for dropped riders / mechanicals on some or all of your rides?
Every ride has a designated Ride Leader. We do not tolerate dropping of riders and we always help with mechanicals.
What is the minimum standard you would expect from new club riders?
A roadworthy bike and the ability to demonstrate that they can ride responsibly on the road (e.g. signal, look behind them, maintain a line and not be a hazard to others in the group).
The rest we can teach.
All new members are asked to ride in our easiest group to start with so that we can assess which group would best suit them.
What do you expect riders to bring on club runs?
Helmet, ID, mobile phone, spare inner tube / tyre levers/ pump or gas cylinder, multi-tool, money for café stops, food / energy stuff and drink.
Are bikes other than road bikes acceptable on any rides?
We accept hybrid bikes with road tyres in our easiest group, and in the next group up if the rider is fit enough to stay the pace on a hybrid. Many member start on hybrids but usually convert to road within a year. Some of our older members ride hybrids in the winter and road bikes in the summer.
Aspects of cycling the club is involved in:
Social runs
We are currently trying to encourage a Time Trial team
Coached sessions for adults
Taking part in sportives
For the last 3 years we have run a club cycling holiday in Mallorca
Club invitational rides (inviting other clubs to join us)
Do you run club social events?
Yes, the social after our AGM is notorious. We have also run quiz nights, barbecues, etc
Number of members (roughly):
70, currently aged between 25 and 70+
Current percentage of female members:
100%
Please give details of any projects you have or are running to support and encourage women:
We had just started a series of Widger Wannabee coaching sessions when COVID hit.
We run training sessions for things like bike mechanics, puncture repair, route planning, first aid for cyclists, cycle / HGV interaction (with a local transport Co.)
Do you also have a children’s / youth section / Go Ride club?
No
Do you offer opportunities for members to train as coaches, ride leaders, etc?
We have 5 Breeze Ride leaders and one British Cycling trained coach within the club. We have run club Ride Leader training sessions.
Any other information you would like to share:
Our club grew out of the British Cycling Breeze initiative and was formally affiliated to British Cycling in 2016.
Website / social media / etc:
At the moment our club runs through our Facebook page
Day to day chat is through WhatsApp.
Joining Information
Joining is through the Club section of the British cycling website
The cost is currently £16 per annum (including £1 BC admin fee)
We encourage new riders to attend 2 free club rides before joining
Contact details
Message The Widger Spoke Easies Facebook page
Or email widgerspokes@gmail.com
Information last updated:
July 2020
