Windsor Cycle Hub
Our activities
About us
Windsor Cycle Hub is a Cycling UK affiliated group, launched in May, 2021.
We're a charity run by volunteers, based at The Swan an award-winning community pub in Clewer, Windsor. We meet every Saturday morning from 11.
It's a cycle-friendly location with a courtyard and bike-racks. The Swan does coffee, snacks and globally celebrated local beer. The Swan's a safe environment where everyone, regardless of gender, age, race, creed and means, is welcome.
We're here to help Windsorians enjoy cycling in, and around, our historic town. We welcome our visitors' generous donations, which help us support our local community in Windsor.
We love to welcome cycling visitors to Windsor too – we're conveniently located close to Sustrans NCN4 route, and the town's two railway stations.
NB We’re not a cycling club, our visitors can ride and wear whatever's comfortable, and be able to ride safely in a group. We're here to help everyday people get the cycling bug.
Our popular weekly 'Bike Kitchen' offers bike safety-checks/basic repairs in return for a donation (to pay for parts and training). It's often all most bikes need - some air in the tyres, cables tightening and saddle adjusting.
Bike Kitchen opens at 11am, when the Guided Ride has left. Please book your slot and aim to be with us by 11:15. It gets very busy, especially when it's dry, and you may need to wait up to 1 hour, fortunately refreshment is on hand.
If you plan to join a Guided Ride, please have your bike checked at least one week before riding. You won't be able to do both on the same visit.
We run occasional Dr. Bike sessions, supported by Cycling UK, in the villages surrounding Windsor. Please follow us on social media or visit of website for updates.
We run a Guided Ride every Saturday (bar 5 weekend months) be with us by 10:45 for a prompt 11:00 departure. We aim to be back to The Swan by lunchtime for a refreshing drink and a chat.
You must be booked in to join us. Cycling UK insures our rides, provided that we follow our procedures and everyone's registered.
Our rides are graded, see below for details, pick the one(s) best suited to your level of confidence. NB We need to focus on the needs of less confident riders on Levels 1 & 2.
We favour low/no traffic routes, there's always some off-road. If you, and your bike, can manage some gravel then you'll be fine.
We have a schedule for each ride level, but tyres get punctured, we leave no one behind, and if it's really nice weather we may vote to stay out longer. Please don't come the week you've an afternoon appointment. You can always come another week, when you've time to relax, get to know us and enjoy the ride.
You can see our schedule in Events and Rides opposite this section. Follow us on social media for updates on location and weather, in case we need to cancel a ride.
We encourage children to ride with their families. Their safety, and that of the whole group, is paramount. Here's what we allow:
- Level 1 - no limit if they're comfortable in a child seat for 1:30hrs. Riders must be 7+ & have gears
- Level 2 - 13+
- Level 3 - 16+
- Level 4 - 18+
Each under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Two over 16s can 'share' an adult. Abilities can vary, so these figures are a guide – once we've got know your family and their stamina.
(Legal) Electric assisted bikes are welcome, if you ride in your allocated group and follow your ride leader. Our rides are at the pace of the slowest person in each group, everyone should feel comfortable and not under pressure to ride faster. If your bike requires special tools, please carry them with you.
Our rides aren't fast, we leave no one behind, and we show people how to use their gears. If you've a choice of bikes, then you can probably leave the e.bike at home.
We recommend visiting by bike or train (we're close to Windsor's 2 stations), if you need to drive please park at Windsor Leisure Centre - it's really close. NB Mill Lane outside The Swan is residents only.
Looking to help us? If you're an experienced cyclist and/or and bike mechanic, then please visit us at The Swan. Join us on a ride or pop in for a chat with our mechanics, to see if we're right for you. Our volunteers are identifiable by orange gilets or lanyards. If you're not that experienced, but still want to help, we'll find a way for you to contribute.
Please follow us on social media for updates, and visit our website for more info.
We look forward to riding with you.
Download further information
Information about the group rides
Our weekly Guided Rides are aimed at building confidence to ride more often in, and around, Windsor. You'll learn new quiet routes – to help get to work, the shops or to cycle for pleasure. You'll soon be able join up what you've learned to do your own longer rides. You must book to cycle with us, please do so in advance here. Please read the attached Rides document before joining us – to make sure that we offer what you're looking for.
We ride away from traffic when possible - favouring the scenic route over the quickest. The Jubilee River, NCN4 and Windsor Great Park feature on most rides. NB All routes have an element of off-road - suitable for mountain, hybrid, touring, gravel and road bikes with heavier tyres. Some of us ride Bromptons, tricycles or tandems, but best leave the time-trial bike at home.
Our Level 3+ rides are the best way for visitors to Windsor to discover more of our area, like the excellent Windsor Great Park.
NB Because The Swan generously supports us with a home, we don't generally have cafe stops on our rides, so please bring your own drinks and snacks (which we'll stop to enjoy).
Accompanied children are welcome on Level 1 (see above, and chart in Gallery for details). It's 1 adult per child. Accompanied teenagers are welcome on Level 2 (NB they're not suitable for younger children).
The month starts with our easy Level 1 ride, at a gentle pace, slightly above walking – speed and distance builds through the month with every level. NB We're not a cycling club - but a charity dedicated to helping everyday people share our love of riding bikes.
Level 1 and 2 rides, are run to benefit our less confident cyclists' needs. If you're an experienced cyclist, who wants to help others, then you're very welcome. But if you're after something with more pace/distance, then please select Levels 3 and/or 4.
Likewise, please don't come on Levels 3 or 4 if you're not confident in your own cycling capabilities - it's best to start at Levels 1 or 2 and take it from there.
We ride every Saturday (all year around, weather permitting) – see Events and Rides for details, we confirm destinations on social media – so please follow us. Our main 4 Level Guided Rides are described fully in the attached doc., but in summary:
1st Sat Level 1: Easy - flat, off-road, suitable for the youngest & oldest riders, e.g. across the Thames towards Dorney & Jubilee River. Pace of slowest rider, plenty of stops to admire the view. Aimed at inexperienced riders. At least 1hr (up to 8 miles)
2nd Sat Level 2: Moderate - a little faster, further & some quiet roads too e.g. around Eton & Upton Court Park in Slough. Aimed at slightly more experienced riders. At least 1.5hrs (10-15 miles)
3rd Sat Level 3: Intermediate - adds hills, more pace & distance, e.g. Windsor Great Park (WGP) via Stag Meadow cycle path. Intermediate level, once Level 2's been mastered. At least 2hrs (15-20 miles)
4th Sat Level 4: Advanced - steeper hills (incl. Crimp Hill), faster, further & a little more on-road riding, e.g. WGP via the Castle, or further to Cookham. For more confident riders. At least 2.5hrs (20-25 miles)
NB Ride times are indicative, we aim to be back by lunchtime.
Each group cycles at the pace of the slowest rider, adapting routes to suit, all and deal with obstructions that have occurred since our recce. There's a Ride Leader who's in charge and a Sweeper to ensure no one's dropped. We'll often have Ride Assistants to ride alongside the less experienced visitors.
We run our ride levels in sequence: The 1st Saturday is always Level 1, the 2nd Level 2 and so on. We offer something for everyone each month. We aim to equip you with the skills, local knowledge and confidence to plan your own rides.
Pre-booking is essential, please do so here. Our ride insurance limits our numbers - priority will be given to those who've booked & arrived on time.
If you can't make our Saturday Guided Rides, we have a library of our popular low traffic routes on Ride with GPS.
There's an extra classification:
5th Sat: Beginners Ride Skills - adults who've never ridden a bike, or perhaps not since childhood. Normally one-to-one sessions – to give you full attention. Training for children is something for Bikeability, we have local contacts who can provide support for younger people who need one-to-one sessions.
Our area
Events and Rides
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