Updated with latest information on 4 February 2022.

Here's a round-up of cycling groups I cycle with based near Maidenhead. None of these are official cycling clubs, the type with club training outfits and minimum speeds - that's not my thing. These are all simply groups of people out on bikes together cycling somewhere, often with a refreshment break. It's as much about socialising as it is about cycling.

None of the groups has any fees or payments required. All move at a medium pace and will wait for backmarkers to catch up. To ride with all of them you need to be 18+ (but see Maidenhead Cycle Hub below for their lovely family ride which caters for children). And all groups come with a personal recommendation from me.

There are seven groups and they are listed in no particular order.

 

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Slough Freewheelers

Established in 2006, this group originally started as a Slough Borough Council initiative. The leader, Gerald, is a vintage bike collector and often attends on bikes 50+ years old!

Where and when?

On the "eenth" Saturday of the month. So either the 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th or 19th - whichever of those is a Saturday. 10am start from various Slough locations e.g. Upton Court Park car park SL3 7LU. (Google Maps link, new window)

Size of group

Often around 15 people.

Typical ride

Rides might include Burnham Beeches or Windsor Great Park. A refreshment stop is often included. Typically around 20 miles in total.

Above: A typical Freewheelers ride around Windsor Great Park.

Advanced booking required?

No, just turn up. Although you can book on the Let's Ride website - see next section.

More details

Slough Freewheelers on the Let's Ride website (opens new window). If you login and select "join group" you will be emailed about new rides as they are announced.

 

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Safety First Cycling Group

Run by British Cycling Ride Leaders, this is a friendly group often riding longer distances than the other groups listed and sometimes slightly faster.

Where and when?

No fixed regular ride. Normally leaves from the Slough area.

Size of group

Often around 5-10 people.

Typical ride

Rides might include Slough to Osterley Park, Slough to Walton-on-Thames or a London tour from Paddington station. A refreshment stop is often included, quite often beer-based! Typically around 30 miles in total.

Above: A typical Safety First Cycle Group ride from Slough to Walton-on-Thames.

Advanced booking required?

Book on the Let's Ride website - see next section.

More details

Safety First Cycle Group on the Let's Ride website (opens new window). If you login and select "join group" you will be emailed about new rides as they are announced.

 

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Marlow Social Bike Ride

This Marlow based group started life supported by Active Bucks but is now independent.

Where and when?

Every Thursday morning 10:30am start from Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, Marlow Rd, Bisham, Marlow, SL7 1RR. (Google Maps link, new window)

Size of group

Often around 5-10 people.

Typical ride

Rides might include Henley along the river or a trip to Hambleden village. A refreshment stop is often included, normally at a coffee shop or sometimes a pub. Typically around 20 miles in total.

Above: A typical Marlow Social Bike ride from Marlow to Hambleden.

Advanced booking required?

Book on the Let's Ride website - see next section.

More details

Marlow Social Bike Ride on the Let's Ride website (opens new window). If you login and select "join group" you will be emailed about new rides as they are announced.

 

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Berks and Bucks Cycle Group (BBCG)

An independent group based in Slough.

Where and when?

Mostly on Sunday mornings from Upton Court Park car park SL3 7LU. (Google Maps link, new window)

Size of group

Often around 10 people.

Typical ride

Rides might include Slough to White Waltham airfield or to Northala Fields along the Grand Union canal. Typically around 20 miles in total.

Advanced booking required?

Book on the Let's Ride website - see next section.

More details

BBCG on the Let's Ride website (opens new window). BBCG on the Facebook website (opens new window).

 

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Maidenhead Cycle Hub rides

Above: A family ride. Below: an adult ride.

Maidenhead Cycle Hub is a local bike charity that refurbishes used bikes and sells them, maintains bikes and provides organised rides. I sometimes help lead these rides.

Where and when?

Family rides: 2pm on the first Saturday of the month from Bray.

Adult rides: 2pm on the third Saturday of the month from central Maidenhead.

Size of group

Often around 10 people.

Typical ride

Family rides from Bray are suitable for riders from around 8 years  old. They are normally around 9 miles long and include the Jubilee River. Almost all off-road and flat. Anyone under the age of 18 must have adult supervision.

Above: A typical family ride route along the Jubilee and Thames.

Adult rides start from a central Maidenhead location, are often 20-25 miles long and may include Burchetts Green or Velolife cycle cafe and are on-road.

Above: A typical adult ride taking in Waltham St Lawrence and Crazies Hill.

Advanced booking required?

Yes, see their website in the next section.

More details

Maidenhead Cycle Hub website (opens new window).

 

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South Bucks Cycling Group

This is a weekday riding group set up for freelancers and home workers to have a cycle ride during a break in their day. It is open to anyone. I sometimes lead rides for this group.

Where and when?

No fixed times but typically on a weekday at about 10am and starting from the Maidenhead area.

Size of group

Often around 5 people.

Typical ride

Rides include the Jubilee River, Windsor Great Park, Marlow or a trip to and around Cookham. Almost all rides include a refreshment break, often at the end so it is easily optional. Ride length 10-20 miles.

Above: A typical ride to Cookham (and refreshments!) and back.

Advanced booking required?

No, just turn up.

More details

Run with a closed WhatsApp group - contact me.

 

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Windsor Cycle Hub rides

As well as servicing and maintaining bicycles, Windsor Cycle Hub runs regular organised rides from its base at The Swan pub just to the West of the town centre.

Where and when?

Every Saturday at 11:30am starting at Windsor Cycle Hub base at The Swan pub, 9 Mill Lane, Windsor SL4 5JG. (Google Maps link, new window). Ride length and difficulty increases as the month goes on starting with a short almost traffic-free ride for beginners on the first Saturday. (Bike maintenance sessions start at 11am each Saturday).

Size of group

Often around 10 people.

Typical ride

Rides start with short beginners rides around Eton, longer rides include a trip out to Boulter's Lock in Maidenhead returning on the Jubilee River. Ride length 5-20 miles.

Above: A typical short beginners ride around Eton on the first Saturday of the month.

Advanced booking required?

Yes, see their website in the next section.

More details

Windsor Cycle Hub website (opens new window).

 

Any great local cycling groups that I am missing out on? Please let me know.