CLUB FAQS

All of our regular weekly rides are free to attend, and always will be. We don’t require you to pay any annual membership fees. You become a part of the club the first time you ride with us. It doesn’t matter if you only come along once, or ride every single week!

While we keep our club Instagram regularly updated with all upcoming rides, the best place to make sure information isn’t lost to the algorithm, is our WhatsApp broadcast channel. For those who want to live a blissful, Zuckerberg free life, we also have a club Discord server for ride information and indepth chat. You can find our other club accounts and social channels via our contact page here.

A link to join either group can be sent to you via email or direct message on Instagram. Reach out to us on social media or newtownparkcc@gmail.com to start that process. If you join us on a ride you can also ask one of our members for a link or QR Code. Please note that links to the Discord server expire after 7 days

• For our gravel rides, a bike suitable for riding comfortably off road for 2 - 3 hours is best. We recommend a minimum tyre width of 35mm, with 38 - 45mm+ tyres offering more comfort. Both gravel and mountain bikes are used on these rides.

• On our road rides we allow most bikes, however you should be comfortable riding it for 3-4 hours (most people find that easier on a bike with drop handlebars). Road bikes are perfect, gravel bikes too, but you might find it more difficult on a mountain, hybrid or city bike. Please be aware of your pace group’s average speed, and your current fitness level when choosing which bike to bring.

• In accordance with UK safety regulations, all our rides require a bike with “two efficient braking systems.” We do not allow fixed gear bikes on our group rides.

• Crucially, please make sure that your bike is in working order before you turn up – tyres pumped, brakes working, chain not rusted solid.

We have a variety of pace groups on both our road and gravel rides. These are normally advertised beforehand. We have an advertised top and bottom end for pace, to help keep groups together. It is best to have some idea of your average pace, or what speed you are comfortable riding. However, all groups go at the speed of the slowest person in them, so you won’t be dropped

We are not a race club. Sure we can go fast too, but our focus has always been on connection and camaraderie, not competition.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Yes. Safety is sexy. Riding in a group on and off road can be dangerous, and we don’t want anyone to end up with a serious head injury, so we highly recommend you wear a helmet.

• While we do ride in groups, most of our rides have no official leaders. So, please ensure you have access to the route via a cycling computer, or your phone, to help both you and the rest of your group during the ride.  

• We won’t let you go on a ride that happens all or in part in the dark if you don’t bring lights. It’s important to be seen! UK law requires front and rear bike lights when cycling between sunset and sunrise, so best practice is to bring them with you to all club rides (in case of that unanticipatedly late-ending post-ride taproom visit). Some of our evening rides require lights in autumn/winter months (e.g., Hills and Pills), and you may be asked to acquire some lights before starting the ride. 

• We don’t expect everyone to be a professional bike mechanic. While having a basic set of tools, and skills such as changing a tire is always helpful there will be many in the club happy to fix punctures or lend tools if needed. At a minimum you should bring a pump, spare inner tube and multi-tool on every ride.

• Our longer social rides are planned with mid-ride stops, and opportunities to buy more snacks and fill water bottles. We ask you to be prepared so as to avoid the dreaded bonk. 

• In the colder months it never hurts to bring a spare layer for after the ride. The beer blanket won't save you in the winter.

Nope. You don’t need the latest, high-end lycra, or clippy-cloppy shoes to ride with us. Wear what you’re comfortable in. We do believe padded shorts make for a more comfortable ride, especially over longer distances, but shorts, t-shirt, and comfortable trainers are totally fine.

Please do keep your tops on though.

As long as you’re over 18 you can ride with us. We have a wide range of ages and skill levelled riders join us each week.

Our rides and groups are designed to accommodate a variety of abilities. There’s a little something for everyone in NP.CC.

Yes we do. We hold monthly Hills and Pils Femmes, and ad hoc events for women, non-binary folks, and underrepresented groups; check out our calendar for upcoming events!

While we started as a brewery cycle club, we’re not all about the after-ride pints. We see the city’s taprooms as a great and spacious place to get a lot of lovely folk together for a big, post-ride chat. We have many in the club who are sober, or sober-curious. And we make sure to finish at venues with a good range of NA (and non-beer) options for everyone.

Absolutely! Our weekly Trails and Hills rides were created by club members, and we are always looking for more excuses to ride our bikes together. We encourage anyone who rides with us to set up group rides– that’s part of the fun!

For larger event ideas please get in touch. For more casual ride outs feel free to use our WhatsApp or Discord channels.

Our club kit and merchandise is produced in intermittent, limited runs. It is best to keep an eye on our Instagram or WhatsApp announcement channel for updates on our next release of highly sought after club merch.

Please check out our Contact page for the many ways to reach out to the club via email or social media.