More than a bike ride: Creating friendship and improving wellbeing

As part of British Cycling’s Let’s Ride Through Winter campaign, designed to encourage more people to join free Guided Ride and Breeze Rides throughout the winter months, we have spoken to passionate Ride Leaders such as Dave Overton about the joys of leading a group of riders. Our free rides offer a non-judgmental, welcoming, and supportive cycling environment and community where you can unwind and let go.

Dave Overton set up Marlow Social Cycling Group on Let’s Ride, which was born out of a Buckinghamshire-based group established in 2018. As someone who has enjoyed cycling throughout life, Dave was passionate about sharing his joy with others and has worked with both inclusive Bike Charity, Wheels For All, and Buckinghamshire County Council to do this. Since completing 263 rides with 75 individual riders, the group are active twelve months of the year, come rain or shine.

Dave’s rides originally aimed to engage people with sedentary lifestyles, offering a varied schedule to accommodate participant availability. The group has expanded in both age range and confidence level, helping to create an inclusive community.

“I love meeting a diverse range of people, they’re all interesting and keen to ride for fitness, socialising or simply to enjoy the countryside. From teenagers to people well into their seventies, we've welcomed them all. I do my best to keep routes varied and work with my co-leading buddy Simon to plan these.”

Participants from the group also include members of the Breeze and Guided Ride programmes, who have become familiar with the group through the Let’s Ride website.

When asked how the group has positively impacted people in his local community, Dave reflected on a participant who sadly lost their partner and stopped attending rides.

“Since returning, you can see that the rider really benefits from the social aspect of the group and support they provide. It offers people focus outside of things that are going on in life.”

Dave also recalled a rider who joined for fitness and training after signing up for a sportive in Lands End to John O’Groats, showing the broad nature of those who actively join the free rides.

“They hadn’t come from a cycling background so gained invaluable knowledge and experience just by chatting with members of the group.”

Dave believes in cycling’s ability to bring people together from different walks of life.

“The rides allow time to chat together, as well as at the coffee stop of course, making it a truly social experience!”

Dave also commented on how new friendships are formed between people who wouldn’t have otherwise met, as well as newcomers learning from more experienced riders, such as skills around looking after a bike and fixing punctures.

When asked what advice he would offer to someone thinking of leading their own group through Let’s Ride, Dave suggested the benefits of joining British Cycling as member, in order to access further knowledge and the resources available, as well as advising people to have a few routes always in the back of their mind.

“When completing the ride leader course, you’ll pick up tips from both the tutor and other participants’ experiences. Safety is always the priority regardless of the type of ride you’re leading, but the course also teaches you how to make them interesting and appeal to different members of a group.”

Dave envisions the future of Marlow Social Cycling Group as one that maintains regular rides, still welcoming new participants while continuing to engage with long-term members.

“I’m always keen to encourage people to get involved in larger events and sportives, including the longer rides that we do as a group.”

As part of ‘Let’s Ride Through Winter, Ride Leaders have been challenged to lead and assist in putting on five Guided or Breeze Rides between Thursday 26 December and Monday 31 March.

If you're looking for ways to beat the winter blues or find fun ways to keep fit, consider joining a guided, breeze (women only) or community group ride near you!

Find out more here: Let's Ride - Let's Ride Through Winter