DVCC meets most Sundays at 9:15am in front of 4Play Cycles, Market Place in Cockermouth (CA13 9NH). To join us on a ride, text 078529 72726 (to check we are definitely meeting up). You will be added to a Whatsapp group where our rides are planned.
How Club Rides work
Whilst DVCC club members look out for each other, it is your responsibility to ensure you’re bike is road-worthy and you are properly equiped to ride with the club (see recommended equipment below).
You are welcome to join DVCC for two rides as a guest, after which you need to join the club to continue riding with us. This is a British Cycling rule to ensure the club is insured.
When you officially join the club, you will be added to the DVCC member’s Whatsapp group for cycling chat, buying & selling and arranging social activities.
Sunday club ride
The DVCC club rides vary each week depending on the weather, the season and who turns up! The distance and duration will also vary, ranging from 30 to 60 miles depending on the terrain and chosen route. Some longer rides may be planned in summer. If there are enough people we will split into two groups with a shorter (30 -40 mile) relaxed pace ride and a longer route (40 – 60 mile) for faster riders.
The over-riding principle is that no one is left behind; the stronger riders may have a burn up on a climb but at the top everyone regroups. Similarly, if someone has a puncture, the group or a sub-group will wait until the puncture is repaired (see Recommended equipment below). Should anyone need to get back early or cut the ride short this will be catered for.
Friday Social
Most Fridays a group of riders enjoy a short ride (20 or so miles) and a few pints in a local pub. Rides depart from Cockermouth at 4 pm. Do contact us if you are planning to join, to check that the ride is going ahead.
This is also a great way into the club for people new to riding, as the distances are shorter and the pace more relaxed.
Other rides
A range of other rides are arranged by members, both ad-hoc and more regular rides, via the Whatsapp group. There are groups of member who regularly meet for moutain biking or gravel rides. A fast group often meet for a mid-week training road ride of 25-30 miles during the summer.
See the Derwent Valley Cycling Club in action in our gallery >
Recommended equipment
Across Cumbria there are about 4,500 road miles, however not all are of the highest quality. The hills are steep and on occasions it has been known to rain. Good kit can help you cope with these challenges. The main recommendations for club rides other than a half-decent bike are as follows
Helmet – essential for safety and compulsory on club rides.
Puncture proof tyres – Continental GP4000s or equivalent provide a balance of low rolling resistance and puncture protection. Going tubeless can improve puncture resistance further.
Puncture kit – At least one spare inner tube, pump and set of tyre levers. CO2 cartridges are quick but can only be used once.
Brakes – good ones are vital! Disk brakes or quality pads on metal rims are recommended. Carbon rims can be an issue on the hills.
Narrow section wheel rims with wider than average tyres (25mm – 28mm) – reduces road buzz and improves comfort
Decent cycling shorts with pad and a saddle that fits your anatomy – the club shorts/leggings from Bioracer have excellent padding. Chamois cream helps on long distance rides.
Gloves – for warmth and blister protection at all times of the year!
Waterproof – an essential piece of kit for anything other than a stable day in mid-summer. Even then, a late thunder storm can drop an inch of rain in an hour. You have been warned!
Food and drink – We incorporate a cafe stop into our longer rides but make sure you have snacks and water/energy drinks to keep you going. Remember some money for the cafe.
Lights – Visibility can be poor and can vary throughout a ride. Having a back light (and remembering to charge it) improves safety on the road.
Derwent Valley Cycling Club 
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