Scottish Cycling recently contacted cycling clubs across the country to ask about how the clubs have been able to keep their members engaged during the challenges of the current lockdown. We also asked for any general helpful advice that the clubs could share with each other.
We heard back from a broad range of clubs, who have been able to find creative and positive ways in being able to keep their club riders engaged. This was very encouraging to see and is down to the effort and dedication of the many volunteers that have been involved.
Here are just some of the activities that our clubs have been involved in:
Virtual rollers and other training sessions
The Clydesdale Colts, Glasgow Riderz, Law Wheelers, Montvelo CC and Glasgow Gals, have held regular zoom video sessions, which have proved to be very popular with the riders.
Virtual quizzes and keeping in touch
Ayr Roads CC, RCCK, Walkers CC and Dumfries CC, have added to their virtual physical activities, by holding regular club quizzes via Zoom or Skype and kept in touch using social media. Newsletters have also been sent out by some clubs to help to keep club members and families informed.
Virtual club rides
Clydesdale Colts, Buchan Dirlers, Dumfries CC, West Lothian Clarion and Ayr Roads CC have utilised Zwift rides, which have been incredibly popular amongst riders. Some clubs commented that they have been so successful that they will look to incorporate them into their regular club offering, even when we are allowed to physically meet again.
Individual riding events
Our clubs have been very creative in encouraging the members to keep on riding outdoors, following the latest government guidance. This has included:
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Clydesdale Colts held a virtual dirt crit race where riders individually rode a trail or path or even at home in their gardens, at a predetermined time and duration for their own age category. The races were shown live on Zoom. The riders loved being able to see each other “racing"
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Coatbridge Clarion,Dumfries CC and Law Wheelers riders have competed against each other in time trials
- Falkirk Junior Bike Club and West Lothian Clarion encouraged their members to take part in a Virtual Etape Challenge, riding the same distance as the cancelled Etape Caledonia. Youth A riders had to complete the distance of 85 miles in one ride, with younger rides competing the distance over a number of weeks.
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Forres CC have held individual training rides with each rider posting details up on Facebook
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Ayr Roads CC have set up a “Corona cup” Strava segment league, with points awarded for the rider position in the overall timings
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Clydesdale Colts completing combined distance challenges including Lands End to John O’Groats and Route 66, whereby riders have logged their miles which have all been tallied against the challenge distance. The Clydesdale Colts are also undertaking an impressive “around the world challenge” which will see a total of 18,000m being collectively ridden over the Summer and at the same time raising money for 4 local charities
- Falkirk Junior Bike Club and East Kilbride Road Club have run virtual relays for their members, encouraging them to ride as far as they can within in allocated hour slot.
- Mukyriderz has been running a weekly photo competition where the winner, runners up and highly commended appear in the club's weekly "newsletter" facebook post.
Weekly skills challenges
Most of the youth clubs have set their riders a range of weekly challenges from developing a new skill to finding items on rides. Stepping Stanes Youth Cycling Club have also challenged their riders to see how far and high they can ride collectively (in addition to countless other team challenges!)Showing their artistic side, the Mucky Riderz have also held best photo competitions.
Virtual fitness sessions
Video conferencing has also been well used for other fitness sessions including yoga with the Steppingstanes youth club, strength and conditioning training with the Glasgow Riderz and land training classes with the Clydesdale Colts.
Fundraising
From custom NHS jersey prize draws with RCCK to riding sponsored miles at FJBC, our clubs have worked hard to raise a considerable amount of money for charities. We estimate that combined, Scottish Cycling clubs have raised in excess of £20000 for good causes over the last three months - well done all involved!
The feedback that the clubs provided, in the way of general advice on how best to support and engage with their members during the lockdown was gratefully received. The advice included:
- Keep in touch with members as often as possible and include parents and guardians too. Keep people informed of what the latest government restrictions mean for their cycling and encourage them to adhere to the restrictions.
- Remember that people cope in different ways. People may choose not to take part in online activities but that does not mean that they don’t want to be kept informed about the club.
- Encourage members to use the time to train or ride for fun where they can…and not to eat too much cake! You could also use the time to tidy up your club’s social media channels.
- Utilise whatever technology that you can to keep in touch. Good examples being Zoom and Skype video conferencing and Zwift virtual riding.
- Try to make any club activities as inclusive and accessible as possible to all riders and remember that some activities often require the support of parents or guardians too. Partly due to this, young riders will likely engage at different levels.
- Keep the club members as motivated as possible. For example, collecting some form of “reward” points through participation in activities can really help.
