Cycling Club

Age UK Bexley Cycle Club is aimed towards those over the age of 50. Whether you are new to cycling, want to get back on the bike, or have been cycling for years, this is the club for you!

Rides will go at a pace and distance that suits the whole group. You will need a road worthy bike and we strongly recommend wearing the right safety equipment, such as helmets and reflective clothing, to participate.

Adding any physical exercise to your weekly routine it great and cycling in particular is a great cardiovascular workout that puts less pressure on your joints and can improve balance. Cycling can be great for improving mental health too, by getting out of the house and taking in some fresh air. Our club also provides an opportunity to socialise and meet new and like-minded people.

Our weekly Friday morning rides mainly take place in Erith, Thamesmead, Danson Park and Slade Green. We occassionally have cycling day trips to explore the cycle paths of London and Kent. There is a route schedule in place, which riders will have access to after registering.   

Where possible, the rides will be using cycle paths and traffic-free roads. Each ride will be led by an Age UK Bexley volunteer and afterwards there is a tea and coffee break.

For example routes of our weekly rides, check out a sample of our route guides: 

🚴 Route 1- Shed to Crossness 

🚴 Route 2-Southmere Lake to Gallions Reach Park 

🚴 Route 3- Shed to Moat Lane 

To register your interest in joining, please call our main office on 0208 300 0883 or fill out our online form. 

If you would like more information please contact our Project Officer, Emily, directly- emily.willey@ageukbexley.org.uk 

Bexley Council’s Road Safety Team offers free cycling training for adults and children. There are different levels of training depending on your experience. If you are wanting to learn to cycle or want to rebuild confidence, their training courses are well worth completing!

For more information, head to their website.  

If you are feeling a little out of shape and want to build up to our weekly rides, why not challenge yourself to get fitter at home? This could be done by completing low impact workouts or going on daily walks.

Check out the links below for advice and basic exercises you can do at home to improve your strength, balance, flexibility and general fitness.

NHS Live Well

Here are exercises and top tips and on how to incorporate more physical activity into your lifestyle:

Exercise advice for older adults

Strength exercises

Balance exercises

We are Undefeatable

Check out We are Undefeatable's website for great exercise tips and advice.  

Do you have a bike that has been sat in the garage for years? Is it need of maintenance? If so, look no further – we are here to help!

As a part of the Age UK Bexley Cycling Club, we have received funding to have bike repair equipment available for cycling club members to use at our base at the Shed.

You can also check out the links for basic maintenance you can do at home:

Check out maintenance guides and videos here:

Cycling UK’s online maintenance guide and video:

www.cyclinguk.org/article/simple-bike-maintenance-guides 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMW8wcrHGMk

British cycling's guide on bike maintenance:

www.britishcycling.org.uk/knowledge/bike-kit/maintenance

Global Cycling Network's YouTube channel for bicycle maintenance   

www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH49XyD2ofsXzMTbrSNLAXnQo0pSyDEb6  

Cycling is great fun, but it is always a good idea to brush up on safe cycling practices. Check out the links below to test your cycling safety knowledge!

TfL's Cycle Skills Course - Sign up for a free online course for developing your cycling skills:

cycle-skillsonline.tfl.gov.uk/

Cycling UK- Advice for beginners:

www.cyclinguk.org/advice-beginners

The Highway Code - Road rules for cyclists:

www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/rules-for-cyclists-59-to-82