Rocko Club FAQs
What does the club do?
- Our main activity is road cycling, though we also do some off-road and track cycling.
- We try and cater for all abilities, from recreational through to racing, women and men, and we are now restarting our youth club activities
- Anything that is road-legal (something with brakes, wheels (normally 2 !), pedals). Most members have road bikes, some single-speed, but most with a range of gears.
- Mountain bikes are fine on road, but are heavier and so slower to get up the hills!
- Hybrid bikes also tend to be a little heavier than out-and-out road bikes, but are more forgiving.
- For off-road cycling, you would almost certainly want a mountain, gravel or cyclo-cross (CX) bike.
- For track riding, you need a track-specific bike, which is fixed wheel (no gears) and also no brakes(!). The velodrome we use can hire you one if you want to try things out.
- Simply whatever you are comfortable and safe in.
- You should consider a helmet essential for road use (they've saved me from serious injury on more than one occasion).
- Cycling shorts with a seat pad are also advisable to help protect your delicates!
- Tight stretchy cycling jackets avoid having flappy fabric, which can catch the wind and sap your energy.
- You DON'T have to pay the earth for decent cycle gear. Like most items of clothing, it is a mix of function and fashion, but stuff from Aldi or Lidl often perform perfectly well and won't break the bank.
- This is usually the reason people don't join a club; they think, we will only be interested in cycle racers. While we welcome already-quick cyclists, we also see our
- Possibly, but you'd have to be good! We run several groups so I expect you'd find someone wanting to go at about the same speed as you.
- If you are concerned about the 'rules' of group riding, don't be. Come along and we'll help you feel comfortable riding with others around you, and you'll quickly pick up the best practice behavior from your fellow riders. If in doubt, ask!
- Yes, we have a number of female members, and we would love to get to the point where this question doesn't have to be asked!
- Most of our rides have a social side, and (COVID permitting) we have our own clubhouse where we host weekly get-togethers and other social events throughout the year.
- We also arrange a long-weekend event which is hosted alternately in France, Germany and here in a 3-year cycle.
- Yes, though it will be heavier than a road bike, and therefore would be harder to get up the many hills around here.
- Of course, just contact us from our website and we'll give you al the advice you could need.
- If you join us, you'll get a discount in your first year off our club kit, which is made by a company that provides several of the leading professional teams with their kit.
- Neither do we. Generally, all our rides are on quiet back roads and lanes, away from cars as much as possible. We get out to these lanes as soon as we can. Of course, off-road and track cycling is away from traffic.
- Not at first, we’d want you to be sure that you wanted to join. You’d be more than welcome as a guest on a couple of our club runs until you are decided.
- Try riding about 30 miles in 2 - 2.5 hours in varied terrain: if you can do that then you’re fit enough to join our club runs. That is about the speed that our steady group does, and it is always much easier to ride when you are in a group. If you start to struggle, don’t worry, we’ve all been there, and someone will ride with you to ensure you are ok. We won’t leave you behind in the middle of nowhere.
- If you don't think you can do the above, still contact us; we'd love to see you and ride with you at your pace to help you get to the level our Sunday rides take.
- Of course not. Some of our members race on road, Cyclocross (CX) or at the velodrome; some ride time trials (which are mostly testing yourself against the clock) but a significant proportion of out members just ride for fun.
- On road, off-road and on boards; all are accessible to our members on a non-competitive basis.
- We run off-road sessions for youngsters in Corby most weeks: these take place in a safe but physically testing area with adult supervision throughout.
- A number of our members are keen off-roaders, and would be happy to show you the routes they like best in the area.
- CX is getting more popular and some of our members race regularly.
- As a Rocko member you’ll benefit from discounted rates at ...
- Richardsons Cycles in Corby
- Market Harborough bike shop, George Halls Cycle Centre.
- Contact us with the ones we've missed; we'd be happy to help! GenSec@rockinghamforestwheelers.org.uk