A survey of club members was carried out in order to inform a revised cycle training programme. 

•    27 interviews of around 30 minutes were conducted by Zoom, Messenger or phone between 18 February and 24 March, 2021
•    Many of the interviewees are also parents of juniors, or are part of a couple, so they spoke on behalf of further members.

Findings

1.    Type of cycling (speed, distance, frequency)

•    11 people cycle at least 80 miles a week as standard
•    12 people cycle between 30 and 60 miles a week
•    10 people cycle at least 3 times a week (including turbo)
•    11 people cycle at least 16mph on a flat road (enough to ride with the fast group)

2.    Type of cycling 

•    20 people liked to or usually rode with a group, 6 did not
•    21 people also ride solo regularly. 
•    7 people rode as family groups (ie with their junior children). The rest did not.
•    All rode on the road regularly, 8 regularly rode mountain bike or trail bike

3.    Racing

•    All but three had taken part in a triathlon, 13 had done a duathlon
•    Six had taken part in a cycle time trial

4.    Saturday ride options

Interviewees were asked to express a relative preference for distance and given options of 30, 40, 50 or 50+ miles:
•    11 expressed a strong preference for 30 miles
•    11 expressed a strong preference for 40 miles
•    17 expressed a strong preference for 50 miles
•    9 expressed a strong preference for 50+ miles
Interviewees were asked to express a preference for the time of day to return home and given options of 12 noon, 1pm or 2pm.
•    12 expressed a strong preference for 12 noon
•    14 expressed a strong preference for 1pm 
•    7 expressed a strong preference for 12 noon
Asked about their preference for including a café stop
•    14 expressed a strong wish that they would have a café stop
•    5 expressed a strong wish for there not to be a café stop
Asked whether they would prefer to start earlier (eg 8am) in the summer
•    9 expressed a strong wish for an earlier start in the summer
•    8 expressed a strong wish against an earlier start in the summer
Asked about the option of switching groups when meeting together at a café stop
•    16 interviewees were strongly in favour of having this as an option
•    Those who were not in favour tended to be the riders who would /have never used this as an option
Interviewees were also asked about whether they would want to take part in occasional (perhaps monthly or six weekly) long rides of 70+ miles, up to 100 miles, and whether they would want to take part in any local sportives, such as the Dougie Mac ride.
•    18 expressed a strong preference for occasional long rides, and 18 for taking part in a sportive
Interviewees were asked if they would wish to take part in a weekend away, such as had been done in previous years to Conwy and Hartington.
•    16 expressed a strong interest in a weekend away
Interviewees were asked if they would like to take part in occasional mountain bike rides, in locations such as Cannock or the Peak District
•    6 expressed a strong interest in mountain biking

Conclusions / observations:

•    The steady group riders tended to want to do a ride including a café stop
•    The faster riders tended to be happy not to have a café stop, unless they were undertaking a longer ride
•    There is a split between those who are happy to be back at 2pm or later and those who wish to be back by no later than 1pm. 
•    Some who have family commitments will never be able to ride on a Saturday, but some are happy to take it in turns with their partner. Most who have family wish to be home by 12 to 1pm.
•    A small number wished to be back by 11am.
•    There is great enthusiasm for occasional long rides, as long as they are planned in advance to allow for planning of family and other commitments

5.    Mid-week summer rides

Interviewees were told about four options for mid-week summer rides and then asked to express their preference.
•    Eight expressed a strong preference for a steady social ride
•    Six expressed a strong preference for a hard chain gang
•    14 expressed a strong preference /wish for a “steady” or “development” chain gang
•    15 expressed a strong preference / wish for the opportunity to take part in local time trials

Conclusion / observations

•    Several interviewees were enthusiastic at the opportunity to learn bike handling and group riding skills in a structured and measured way through a “development” chain gang
•    There was a lot of enthusiasm for taking part in local time trials
•    It was recognised that the “hard chain gang” is too hard for all except an elite of riders

6.    Mid-week winter cycling

Interviewees were told about three options for mid-week winter rides and asked to express their preference.
•    13 expressed a strong preference / wish for the spin bike / turbo sessions
•    11 expressed a strong interest in taking part in club Zwift “meetups” 
•    12 expressed a strong interest / wish in taking part and continuing with Zoom turbo sessions

Conclusion / observations

•    Many cyclists have invested in sophisticated turbo set-ups over the past year and are using Zwift and other training programmes regularly
•    While the spin bike sessions at Michelin were popular with many members, they have moved on this year to use their own turbos. Several of those who had said they did not want to go back to Michelin, citing the uncomfortable bikes, unpleasant room and travel time as significant disincentives.
•    The juniors are also holding an informal Zwift meetup, as a way of staying in touch.

7.    Cycle training

Interviewees were asked for their view on:
•    The beginners’ cycle training run by Paul Adamson at Keele car park. Those who had taken part were full of praise, but it was recognised that the number of participants was low.

•    Whether they or the club should take part in the beginners’ sessions at Newcastle Track Association. A small number of parents of juniors were enthusiastic about this, but there was no real interest from seniors.

8.    Other questions

Interviewees were asked if they would find it useful to have some sort of file sharing system to download and upload GPX files of local routes
•    10 expressed a strong interest in the club facilitating this in some way
Interviewees were asked if they had used or valued the opportunity to get a bike fit from the club cycle coach.
•    10 were strongly supportive of this, or had used it themselves
Interviewees were asked if they would be interested in attending training in basic mechanics, such as changing a tube or adjusting brakes.
•    9 were strongly supportive
Interviewees were asked if they would be willing to support rides by leading, or mentoring the chain gang.
•    10 expressed an interest, or do already.