Founded in Clapham in 1895 by readers of the Clarion, a Socialist newspaper, we are one of London's oldest and most historic cycling institutions. Today, we are a friendly, progressive, and inclusive community of over 180 members. Guided by our motto, "Fellowship is Life," our goal is to promote goodwill, community, and accessibility through cycling.

Not at all! We welcome riders of all abilities. While a few of our members participate in time trials and Audaxes, the vast majority simply enjoy relaxed social cycling, weekend spins, and cycle touring.

Our weekend social rides typically operate at a relaxed average pace of around 12mph. To make sure you find the right fit, we clearly label all our rides by distance and expected average speed on our calendar so you can choose a ride within your comfort zone.

It means we leave together and finish together. If you get a puncture, have a mechanical issue, or just need to climb a hill at your own pace, the group will wait for you.

Because our members live all over the city, our starting points vary. We frequently meet at central train stations, local parks, and cafes such as Servewell Café in Bermondsey or at the Ground Coffee Society Café at St Mary’s Church just off Putney High Street. Our routes range from gentle 20-mile urban loops to full 100-mile epics out to the Surrey Hills and the Essex countryside.

Absolutely. We consider our rides to be social events, not races. Almost every ride we organise features a planned cafe stop for coffee, cake, and a chat.

A well-maintained road bike, gravel bike, or hybrid is ideal for most of our routes. E-bikes are also completely welcome!

Please ensure your bike is in good working order and bring the essentials: a spare inner tube, a pump, and plenty of water.

Yes! We actively encourage prospective members to come along for a trial ride to see if the club is a good fit before committing. You can check out our Strava group to find open rides available to non-members.

We strive to keep cycling accessible in London without breaking the bank. That’s why our 2026 memberships start at just £10. We offer a few different tiers depending on your needs:Basic Membership (£10 Adult / £19 Family): Get full access to our community! This includes all group rides, social events, and our Ride with GPS Premium route library. (Note: This tier does not include 3rd-party insurance or National Clarion affiliation).Full Membership (£20 Adult / £39 Family): Our most popular option. You get everything in the Basic tier, plus up to £5 million in 3rd-party liability insurance and official affiliation with the National Clarion Cycling Club. (Family tier covers up to two adults and any children under 18).Clarion Fellowship (£10): Designed for non-cycling supporters who want to stay connected to the club, attend socials, and be part of the community.

In addition to joining our community and getting priority booking for rides we organise through the app Spond, full members enjoy:Premium Navigation: Free exclusive access to our Ride with GPS club account for offline maps, turn-by-turn voice navigation, and our curated London route library.Insurance & Support: Up to £5m in 3rd-party liability insurance, plus accident assistance and legal support.Community Access: Entry to our active WhatsApp group for route planning and chatter.Discounts: Savings at local cycling shops including Aztec Bikes and Lusso Bike.Publications: A free subscription to the award-winning Boots and Spurs biannual magazine.