Joining London Clarion Cycle Club - Frequently Asked Questions
We realise that joining a Cycling Club can seem like a daunting step if you are new to cycling or just new to London. Here are the answers to some of the questions you might be asking yourself. If you have any further questions do not hesitate to get in touch.
I'M LOOKING FOR A CYCLING CLUB NEAR ME? WHERE IS THE CLUB BASED?
We're based throughout London and have members in North London, East London, South London and West London. We also have a few members who live in Essex, Sussex and Kent.
CAN I HAVE A FREE TRIAL RIDE?
Yes, we welcome anyone thinking of joining to attend one of our rides before joining. Join Now
WHAT SORT OF CYCLING DO YOU DO?
We primarily do road cycling, and cycle touring, some members also do Time Trials and Road Racing.
HOW MUCH DOES MEMBERSHIP COST?
Current membership costs are as follows.
i) Adult (London Clarion only) £5.
ii) Adult (London Clarion + affiliation to the National Clarion including free third party insurance) £15.
I WANT TO GET IN TO CYCLING AGAIN BUT I'M A BIT RUSTY
Don't worry, we've got members of all abilities and encourage everyone to take part.
WHERE CAN I SEE THE CALENDAR OF RIDES, HOLIDAYS AND SOCIALS?
Once you sign up for membership you will regularly be emailed about forthcoming rides and events.
WHERE DO YOU START YOUR RIDES?
Typically, we start our rides either in a central London location, Old Street, Putney or Surrey Quays. It depends on the route we take and also who is leading the ride. We try to vary the start of club rides equally between North London, South London, East London and West London, we also start some rides in Central London.
CAN I BE A MEMBER OF TWO CYCLING CLUBS
Yes
WHAT LEVEL DO YOU CYCLE AT?
We are a mixed ability cycling club and we aim to never leave a rider behind.
I HAVE A MOUNTAIN BIKE CAN I RIDE WITH YOU?
Yes absolutely the only problem with mountain bikes is that they tend to be heavier than road bikes.
MY BIKE IS ONLY CHEAP, DOES THAT MATTER?
We're not the kind of club who's members boast about their expensive bikes. You definitely don't need a posh bike to join us. It doesn't matter how expensive a bike is as long as it is well maintained.
CAN I BRING MY E-BIKE ON A CLUB RIDE?
Yes absolutely.
HOW MANY AND HOW OFTEN ARE THE RIDES?
We hold rides every couple of weeks and organise trips away a few times a year. In 2019 we will be going to West Yorkshire, Dieppe and Belgium for long weekends.
WHERE DO MOST MEMBERS LIVE?
The vast majority of our members live in London although we also have a few members from Essex and Kent. We pride ourselves on being a cycling club for all Londoners not just limited to people living in a particular part of this great city.
HOW MANY MEMBERS ARE THERE?
As it stands at the time of writing (January 2020) we have over 100 members.
WHAT IS THE AGE RANGE?
We have members of all ages (over 18’s only).
DO YOU DO CYCLOCROSS?
Not currently but possibly in the future.
WHEN WAS LONDON CLARION CC FOUNDED?
London Clarion Cycle Club was founded in 1895 which makes it one of London's original cycling institutions. The club has a rich history. You can learn more about the club and the Clarion movement here
DO YOU SELL CYCLING CLOTHING?
Yes, visit our shop located here
WHERE CAN I READ AN OLD CLARION CYCLING MAGAZINE?
We have a number of old Clarion Cycling Magazines for you to view online
DO I HAVE TO WEAR LYCRA?
Not at all! The materials used in our club cycling kit helps you stay comfortable on rides but some people prefer to wear shorts or jogging bottoms on a ride.
I DON'T LIKE RIDING NEAR CARS OR ON BUSY ROADS
Neither do we. Generally our rides try and include as many quiet minor roads as possible.
DO I HAVE TO WEAR A CYCLING HELMET?
We recommend members wear a cycling helmet but it is not compulsory to do so except in exceptional circumstances where a landowner or a specific event dictates.
OUR CLUB RIDES ARE NOT TRAINING RIDES
The emphasis is on the leisure aspect of club riding. Club rides are for enjoyment and building up your miles at a leisurely pace.
DO I HAVE TO RACE?
No! Although London Clarion Cycle Club is affiliated to CTT Cycling Time Trials so if you want to you can join CTT events and ride in London Clarion Cycling Kit. Members who also affiliate to the National Clarion Cycling Club (the £15 membership option) can compete in the National Clarion Cycling Club Time Trials organised throughout the year. Members will be emailed details of these.
DO YOU DO ANYTHING ELSE OTHER THAN RIDE BIKES?
Yes, we certainly do. Please keep an eye on our website and our Facebook group for more details throughout the year.
BOOTS and SPURS what does that mean?
Traditionally Clarion Cycling club riders greet each other by saying "Boots!" and respond by saying "Spurs!" It comes from when Clarion newspaper editor Robert Blatchford, used to sit in the barracks late at night telling stories between friends. To make sure their listeners were still awake, the storyteller would says "Boots!" those still awake would reply "Spurs!" and the story would continue. 'Boots and Spurs' continues to be the Clarion Cycling club call to this day, throughout the World.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO JOIN?
Membership of London Clarion Cycle Club isn't expensive. £15 per year for over 18's including affiliated membership of the National Clarion Cycling Club and 3rd party liability insurance of £5 for just London Clarion CC membership.
If you have any other questions please use the contact us page
We're based throughout London and have members in North London, East London, South London and West London. We also have a few members who live in Essex, Sussex and Kent.
CAN I HAVE A FREE TRIAL RIDE?
Yes, we welcome anyone thinking of joining to attend one of our rides before joining. Join Now
WHAT SORT OF CYCLING DO YOU DO?
We primarily do road cycling, and cycle touring, some members also do Time Trials and Road Racing.
HOW MUCH DOES MEMBERSHIP COST?
Current membership costs are as follows.
i) Adult (London Clarion only) £5.
ii) Adult (London Clarion + affiliation to the National Clarion including free third party insurance) £15.
I WANT TO GET IN TO CYCLING AGAIN BUT I'M A BIT RUSTY
Don't worry, we've got members of all abilities and encourage everyone to take part.
WHERE CAN I SEE THE CALENDAR OF RIDES, HOLIDAYS AND SOCIALS?
Once you sign up for membership you will regularly be emailed about forthcoming rides and events.
WHERE DO YOU START YOUR RIDES?
Typically, we start our rides either in a central London location, Old Street, Putney or Surrey Quays. It depends on the route we take and also who is leading the ride. We try to vary the start of club rides equally between North London, South London, East London and West London, we also start some rides in Central London.
CAN I BE A MEMBER OF TWO CYCLING CLUBS
Yes
WHAT LEVEL DO YOU CYCLE AT?
We are a mixed ability cycling club and we aim to never leave a rider behind.
I HAVE A MOUNTAIN BIKE CAN I RIDE WITH YOU?
Yes absolutely the only problem with mountain bikes is that they tend to be heavier than road bikes.
MY BIKE IS ONLY CHEAP, DOES THAT MATTER?
We're not the kind of club who's members boast about their expensive bikes. You definitely don't need a posh bike to join us. It doesn't matter how expensive a bike is as long as it is well maintained.
CAN I BRING MY E-BIKE ON A CLUB RIDE?
Yes absolutely.
HOW MANY AND HOW OFTEN ARE THE RIDES?
We hold rides every couple of weeks and organise trips away a few times a year. In 2019 we will be going to West Yorkshire, Dieppe and Belgium for long weekends.
WHERE DO MOST MEMBERS LIVE?
The vast majority of our members live in London although we also have a few members from Essex and Kent. We pride ourselves on being a cycling club for all Londoners not just limited to people living in a particular part of this great city.
HOW MANY MEMBERS ARE THERE?
As it stands at the time of writing (January 2020) we have over 100 members.
WHAT IS THE AGE RANGE?
We have members of all ages (over 18’s only).
DO YOU DO CYCLOCROSS?
Not currently but possibly in the future.
WHEN WAS LONDON CLARION CC FOUNDED?
London Clarion Cycle Club was founded in 1895 which makes it one of London's original cycling institutions. The club has a rich history. You can learn more about the club and the Clarion movement here
DO YOU SELL CYCLING CLOTHING?
Yes, visit our shop located here
WHERE CAN I READ AN OLD CLARION CYCLING MAGAZINE?
We have a number of old Clarion Cycling Magazines for you to view online
DO I HAVE TO WEAR LYCRA?
Not at all! The materials used in our club cycling kit helps you stay comfortable on rides but some people prefer to wear shorts or jogging bottoms on a ride.
I DON'T LIKE RIDING NEAR CARS OR ON BUSY ROADS
Neither do we. Generally our rides try and include as many quiet minor roads as possible.
DO I HAVE TO WEAR A CYCLING HELMET?
We recommend members wear a cycling helmet but it is not compulsory to do so except in exceptional circumstances where a landowner or a specific event dictates.
OUR CLUB RIDES ARE NOT TRAINING RIDES
The emphasis is on the leisure aspect of club riding. Club rides are for enjoyment and building up your miles at a leisurely pace.
DO I HAVE TO RACE?
No! Although London Clarion Cycle Club is affiliated to CTT Cycling Time Trials so if you want to you can join CTT events and ride in London Clarion Cycling Kit. Members who also affiliate to the National Clarion Cycling Club (the £15 membership option) can compete in the National Clarion Cycling Club Time Trials organised throughout the year. Members will be emailed details of these.
DO YOU DO ANYTHING ELSE OTHER THAN RIDE BIKES?
Yes, we certainly do. Please keep an eye on our website and our Facebook group for more details throughout the year.
BOOTS and SPURS what does that mean?
Traditionally Clarion Cycling club riders greet each other by saying "Boots!" and respond by saying "Spurs!" It comes from when Clarion newspaper editor Robert Blatchford, used to sit in the barracks late at night telling stories between friends. To make sure their listeners were still awake, the storyteller would says "Boots!" those still awake would reply "Spurs!" and the story would continue. 'Boots and Spurs' continues to be the Clarion Cycling club call to this day, throughout the World.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO JOIN?
Membership of London Clarion Cycle Club isn't expensive. £15 per year for over 18's including affiliated membership of the National Clarion Cycling Club and 3rd party liability insurance of £5 for just London Clarion CC membership.
If you have any other questions please use the contact us page