Sky Rides prompt riders to keep cycling

A group of cyclists who met through Sky Ride have formed their own social cycling group and are continuing to enoy regular rides.

The self-styled SSG or 'Sky Splinter Group' now has a total of 24 members with a hard core of ten who are always eager to get together for a ride. The members met during 2010, and took part in several Sky Ride Locals. When the programme of organised rides wound down in autumn that year, they began organising their own informal rides. Several have since trained and qualified as Ride Leaders themselves and regularly plan and lead our Sunday Sky Ride Local rides in the Manchester area.

SSG member Philip Bradbury acknowledges how Sky Ride events, organised by British Cycling and Sky to appeal to new and non-sporty cyclists, brought the group together. "We simply wouldn't have met without Sky Ride. We were total strangers with a common interest in cycling and I think a common reluctance to seek out and join an established cycling club." 

The group stays in regular contact, using Facebook to arrange rides and generally share chat – and some sharp humour. Recently ten members of the group took part in the 'Manchester 100' charity event (the picture above was taken during the event). "It was great to get the support for four of us who had never ridden a 100 miler before," said Philip. "The banter was as funny as ever for the full 100 miles!"  
 
We'd love to hear from any other groups who have formed as a direct result of taking part in Sky Rides. Drop a line to skyride@britishcycling.org.uk and tell us your story.