FAQ

Most members ride road bikes, but you can certainly start on any bike. The bike does not need to be the latest model or expensive, but must be roadworthy. Some groups will go on a gravel ride so need specific tyres.

Our main club ride is on Saturday morning. We meet at The Bear, Esher KT10 9RQ from 9am for a coffee and chat to mates and ride leaders. Rides start at 9.30am.

There is usually a Wednesday evening fast ride.  On other days rides are organised amongst smaller groups. 

New riders often want to complete an introductory ride (to see if it’s the right club for them) but we won’t ask you to complete time, speed, or distance targets to join us. If your ride has gone well, you will be invited to become a member. Subs are £15 (annually)* with a 50% reduction if you join in the autumn.  

*2023/24 fees

All members enjoy wearing our club kit. The expectation is that you wear yours on club rides. 

DV Kit is made to order by Pactimo, 3 -4 times a year. Details are shared via the newsletter when kit is available to order. Examples of our kit can be seen here

We cater for mixed abilities. Start with the slower group on a shorter ride, and work your way up. Most people surprise themselves. Our Saturday rides range from 25 miles upwards. You will quickly find yourself in the appropriate group.

The ride leader will always oversee the response. Many of our riders are first aid trained and we run first aid courses. When joining you are asked for Emergency contact information, any allergies or pre existing conditions. Somebody will look after you. 

It is a requirement that you have third party insurance in place to ride with us. 

We ask for an incident report to be completed. Which can be downloaded here.

On a typical Saturday we usually have five or more groups riding different routes and speeds. A social group might do a gentle 25-30 miles on a mostly flat route with a coffee stop. Our middle group(s) typically do a 40-50mile route into the Surrey hills. Some groups routinely do 60+ mile rides.

Please view on the Rides page

Required
• A helmet (all riders must wear one)
• A bike in a good state of repair

Recommended
• Spare inner tube(s). When you ride with the group, you’ll never be left alone to fix a puncture on your own but make sure you bring tyre levers, pump/CO2, multi-tool
• Mobile phone (suggest you swap numbers with members of the same group) – fully charged!
• Cash and a credit/debit card – for coffee and cake, or emergency taxi
• Form of ID with emergency contact details and any necessary medical info
• Front and rear lights – the Surrey lanes are often dark
• In winter: mudguards

For anything else: if you’re uncertain, just ask

Send us an email via our contact us page and someone will get back to you.

We concentrate on making our cycling enjoyable, no matter what level or what you want to achieve in your cycling. Hence, we are a social cycling club rather than a racing club and don’t participate in inter-club cycling competitions. We do celebrate the achievements of all our riders.

No, we have a diverse membership from across the Thames Ditton, Esher, Claygate and the wider Cobham community. We also attract riders from places like Kingston, Surbiton, Hampton and Teddington, and others (further West) from Weybridge and Walton, as well as other areas across Surrey and Greater London.