With the Tour de France continuing in full force, summer 2024 is shaping up to be a treat for cycling fans. And while the elite are off chasing gold (and the maillot jaune) in Europe, here, at home, there are tons of ways for the rest of us to enjoy life on two wheels. Kettle Chips is the official supporter of British Cycling – the national governing body for cycling in Great Britain – this summer, and there’s a packed roster of events, clubs and community initiatives offering cyclists of all ages and abilities a chance to get involved. Intrigued? Here are 12 ways to get you rolling.
1 Start ’em young
Teaching small kids to ride a bike is a pretty daunting job. What if you give bad advice? Lose your temper? Put them off exercise for ever? Thankfully, British Cycling’s Summer of Cycling gives children the chance to take part in a calendar of free pedal-powered events all across England. Look out for club taster sessions in your area, traffic-free group rides, coaching, and entry-level racing with all bikes and abilities welcome.
2 Map it out
Even if the whole family is confident cycling, it can still be a challenge to find bike rides that suit everyone’s abilities (and don’t take you across dual carriageways or down blind alleys). British Cycling’s Let’s Ride routes website has fact files and maps of more than 1,000 free, downloadable routes nationwide. Just search for your postcode to find the best option.
3 Join the club
A lot of serious cyclists started out as commuters or day trippers who caught the bug and joined a club. Once you’re surrounded by like-minded people with a calendar of events – sporting and social – at your fingertips, you might be surprised at how far (and fast) you can go. British Cycling’s Club Finder tool is designed to help you find the club that works for you.
4 Go beyond limits
All riders, regardless of their abilities, can feel part of a welcoming community where they can make new friends, learn new skills, and take on new challenges. British Cycling’s Limitless programme is breaking barriers, offering people with disabilities the chance to experience the joy and freedom of cycling. The initiative is transforming lives by supporting clubs, groups, and events across the country.
5 Breeze through barriers
While some of the most inspirational professional cyclists are women, this gender split isn’t reflected in the rest of society. In fact, according to British Cycling, men are three times more likely than women to ride for fun. Fixing this imbalance and promoting confidence, comfort and accessibility for women cyclists is at the heart of British Cycling’s Breeze programme. Run by and for women, Breeze’s powerful community has supported more than 350,000 women to get on their bikes since 2011.
#PedalWithKettle this Summer of Cycling
• Kettle Chips is the official supporter of British Cycling and will be encouraging chip lovers across the country to #PedalWithKettle on guided rides throughout summer – offering free and friendly local bike rides, led by a trained ride leader, where riders can enjoy community socialising and build their confidence in riding.
• The partnership aims to inspire Britain’s families to get outside for a Summer of Cycling and enjoy grassroots sports before putting their feet up at home and supporting Britain’s cycling professionals.
• With a focus on bringing people together through their love of sport (and of course cycling), Kettle Chips will be fuelling the adrenaline on the roadside and on screens with plenty of Kettle’s Gourmet Krunch this summer – watch out for the Kettle Chip team in and around the sporting action.
6 Find an urban hub
Gender imbalances aren’t the only obstacle to participation in cycling, with ethnically diverse populations making up just 5% of British Cycling’s membership. The City Academies initiative exists to encourage children and young people from underrepresented urban communities to find their place in the sport. Lead coaches are recruited locally and bring their knowledge of what other local people want so as to create accessible opportunities and events.
7 Follow the leader
Want to experiment with different routes or stretch yourself with new challenges? Guided Rides offer the chance to branch out under the guidance of a local volunteer leader who’ll help you discover great views, green spaces and historical sites. Sessions are simple to book and all you need to do is turn up prepared to explore.
8 Switch up a gear
For passionate young riders looking to take things further, British Cycling’s Development Centres offer group training sessions and drills that show what high-level racing and competing is actually like. Riders who perform well can go on to be nominated for regional and national pathways, from which the Great Britain Cycling Team academy programmes are filled. Who knows where you’ll end up!
9 Never stop learning
Even though humans have been cycling for more than 200 years, we’re still learning new ways to do it better. From advice on the specifics of cycling fitness and race recovery, to guidance for setting sensible goals, and even avoiding stomach trouble in the saddle, British Cycling’s training pages will help you boost your knowledge and cycle smarter.
10 Get your hands dirty
However advanced the science of cycling becomes, bikes are still basically simple machines that anyone with a bit of knowhow can repair and maintain. Wherever you are in the UK, there will likely be a mechanic, cycle shop or local council initiative offering affordable (or free!) courses in bike maintenance – so you can make sure the wheels don’t fall off your cycling schedule.
11 Volunteer your time
All of the activities above are only made possible with the help of the thousands of volunteers from around the country who give up countless hours of their time to help others develop a love of cycling. British Cycling has a huge range of volunteering opportunities – including hands-on coaching and mentoring, as well as events admin. It’s a great way to meet new people and make a difference.
12 Enjoy the show
You’ve smashed your targets, clocked your miles and soothed your saddle sores – now it’s time to relax and watch someone else put the work in. If you can’t make it to Paris this summer to watch the action, there are nine fanzones around the country (from Battersea Power Station in London to the Bullring in Birmingham) showing many events – including road, track, BMX and mountain biking – on the big screen. Meanwhile, fans of local sports can search British Cycling’s events pages for details of all the events going on up and down the country, making it easy to pop along and show your support.
KETTLE® Chips is supporting the Summer of Cycling, and there are hundreds of free ways to enjoy cycling this summer. From local guided rides to cheering on British medal hopefuls, there’s something for everyone, no matter your age, ability or location. Get involved at britishcycling.org.uk
