Get on your bike and join all of us!
SPOKES is the local cycle group for South West Hertfordshire, formed to encourage cycling by organizing rides and campaigning for better and safer cycling routes.
SPOKES campaigns both to get better conditions for cycling in South West Hertfordshire and to encourage more people to enjoy cycling. You are welcome to join our rides or help us out with campaigning.
Our three month programme of rides is published in the SPOKES quarterly newsletter, on Let’s Ride and on Facebook (one week ahead) and is available on Rides and Events.
Non-Members are welcome to join our rides but please book on Let’s Ride and, after 2 or 3 rides with us, we would encourage you to join SPOKES. We have weekday and weekend rides starting from various South West Hertfordshire locations.
Joining the SPOKES Facebook Group enables you to see updates on rides, reviews of our rides and contribute to the SPOKES cycling discussion but it does not make you a Member of SPOKES. If you wish to join SPOKES, we would love to have you, it is only £12 a year and benefits include a newsletter four times a year and discounts at local cycle shops.
Cycling Routes From SPOKES
Offering cycle routes to encourage members and non-members onto their bikes, has always been an important part of SPOKES’ mission. First there was the Yellow Book. then the Blue Book and the Routes For All digital route library. Most recently SPOKES launched Members’ Routes where its members can share their own routes. SPOKES also has a Strava Club. So you have plenty of choice of routes to help you explore the lovely countryside in South West Herts and the Chilterns.
Rides and Events
Do keep checking this site as new rides do get added.
Velo Cafe
Through the Chilterns to Hawridge
Meet at the Cafe in The Park, The Aquadrome, Frogmoor Lane, Rickmansworth
Tasty Bean to Rusty Bike
Cafe to Cafe ride
Meet at Tasty Bean Café, Oxhey Activity Park, Wiggenhall Road, Watford
Rookery Cafe, Welham Green
A ride to the Rookery Café in Welham Green
Ride leader: Chris
Meet at Watford Rugby Club, Radlett Road
All aboard!
A chance to ride the Luton & Dunstable busway
Ride leader: Katherine
Meet at Dacorum Active Hub, Redbourn Road, Hemel Hempstead
Ride Speed Guide
| Slow: | Gentle pace up to 8 mph |
| Medium: | Average pace of 9 to 11 mph |
| Fast: | Faster than 11 mph |
Let’s Ride Categories of Rides.
Rides advertised on this web site have a link to Let’s Ride for booking. On Let’s Ride we use the following categories to assist in choosing a ride but be aware they are subjective definitions so one rider’s “Steady” will seem “Challenging” to another.
Easy Going. SPOKES Slow Pace rides, up to 15 miles, flat and no busy roads.
Steady. SPOKES Slow Pace rides over 15 miles with some easy climbing and SPOKES Medium Pace rides which are 30 miles or less with some easy climbing.
Challenging. Any ride with challenging climbs, any SPOKES Fast Pace ride and Medium Pace rides over 30 miles.
Mountain Bike. Off Road rides on unsurfaced trails.
Approximate Ride Duration
On Let’s Ride we indicate an approximate overall time for the ride. The nature of group cycling means these can only be guide times not guarantees.
Covid 19 and SPOKES Rides
Please follow Covid 19 government guidance on SPOKES Rides and if you have Covid 19 symptoms do not join the ride. Aim to be self-sufficient on the ride, carrying all that you need for puncture and bike repair, first aid and refreshment.
Non Members
Non Members are welcome on most of our rides but we ask that you join after 3 rides, if you wish to continue riding with us.
On rare occasions an event has to be cancelled. If you plan to attend an event, please check on this web site immediately before the event that there have been no changes to the arrangements.
Newsletters
Read the latest newsletters online.
Campaigning
SPOKES campaigns both to get better conditions for cycling in South West Hertfordshire and to encourage more people to enjoy cycling.
