APRIL MINI RIDE-OUT Sat April 23 - St Albans and over the Chilterns

I know that some riders are put off group riding by the high-speed, crash-happy reputation of big ride-out groups, so that's not what I'm planning. So the first thing I want to say is that these will not be high-speed blasts as I like to look at the countryside I'm riding through. If you're on an A2 bike, you'll be perfectly at home on these rides. 

The jaunts will be for just a few riders - in fact, a maximum of five bikes per ride-out. That makes them ideal for riders who find big groups intimidating. 

They won't be long - under 100 miles and something like 60 to 75 minutes riding each way - and we'll have a leisurely mid-ride break to rest and socialise - say three to four hours total. Keeping the rides reasonably short and relaxed means they are accessible to riders who aren't used to longer rides. 

Although we'll be starting from locations around the M25, I know plenty of interesting and scenic routes which will mostly avoid the main A roads and be along B roads or wider minor roads. 

I'll also try to make a stop for a decent early lunch rather than the standard greasy spoon. Where possible I'll make an interim stop at a farm shop too, just in case you fancy some nice produce. 

You'll be riding with an experienced trainer too - whilst I won't be offering any training, I'll be happy to discuss anything to do with riding. And I may just have a few copies of my books with me available to buy. 

A couple of other points - 

• rides will be WEATHER DEPENDENT. I'll be keeping an eye on the forecast and if it looks like a wet day, I'll postpone. They're meant to be fun rides, so there's no point in going for a ride in pouring rain on wet roads. 
• rides are PRE-BOOK ONLY. No turning up on the day. But if you realise you can't make it please let me know so I can offer your place to someone else. 
• if a ride is fully booked, DROP ME A LINE and I'll put you on the reserve list and offer you a place on a repeat ride from the same location. 

I'm anticipating weekend dates would be more popular, but there's no reason they can't be run on weekdays - drop me a line if you'd prefer that. Similarly, if you know a couple of people and would like me to put a ride together especially for you, let me know. 

Here are the first three dates in the diary:

Sat April 23 - St Albans and over the Chilterns

Sat May 28 - Epping and into NE Essex

Sat June 25 - Beaconsfield and the Thames Valley

Lots of daring-do won't be needed, just bring along the enthusiasm to enjoy a nice day out on two wheels.