Social Cycling at its Best
We are an Affiliated Cycling UK community scheme working to bring together Cyclists in the Petersfield and surrounding area
Open to cyclists over 18 yrs at all levels of experience for all types of small group cycling.
Supporting novice or rusty riders to buddy with someone more experienced.
Advocating for better cycling provision for our community.
Following a great meeting we have assembled useful resources to help guide you on an e-bike journey.
Note the Image IS an e-bike !
Oh Yea !
PBB Square s.mp4
Our 3rd Year on the Island with a 2 night break was a huge success punctuated by 'heavy squalls'!
We will definitely be doing something similar (or even more) in 2025.
Full reports from all 4 ride groups and their attempts to find the elusive Red Squirrels can be found here.
We held our 3rd year AGM on 29th Sept 24 with around 40 members attending.
Our Chairperson, Lynn thanked everyone for their support and particularly our 16 ride leaders for their work to offer rides on a regular basis.
We can now count 170 current members and over the last 12 months they have covered around 21,000 miles on 147 rides. a little lower than last year primarily as a consequence of the poor weather.
We continue to grow at a steady rate of around 1 rider per week, particularly boosted by events such as the Eco-Fair held in July.
Our Finances are in good shape with grants from Cycling UK to enable Big Bike revival events and EHDC Councillor Bevan for cycle training, alongside raffles, and donations given by members.
The AGM was rounded off with much Chat, Coffee and Cake and the collection of suggestions for how we can evolve and make the group even better.
Please see this for all info about joining or being a PBB member.
Introduction to PBB
Joining PBB
Choosing a Ride
Joining a Ride
Ride Etiquette
Equipment
Also: New Ride Leader Guidance Document published in Members only section.
Some thoughts on cycling for the mature person, a NY Times article.
We are keen to develop all types of rides for members and to this end it was great to have Jethro Hepworth a qualified Mountain Bike Coach to run a session for us to improve our skills and confidence.
Look out for more off road rides in the schedule.
A great time had too !
We are hosting listings of Bikes being sold by members of PBB please take a look by going to the Sale Page
From January the Highway code was updated with important changes for all road users including cyclists !
This link takes you to the updated text of the code.
Bike Buddies volunteer mechanics are maintaining a number of bikes that the fabulous people of the Petersfield area have donated to the scheme.
These bikes are available to loan to members of the group for a small donation.
If you are considering joining the scheme but don't have a suitable bike then perhaps we can help?
Or perhaps you would like to try a different type of bike before you buy one?
See also Bikes we have for Sale.
The maintenance team will assist members with any repairs needed to get you back on the road.
Check the Loan Sale or Repair page
If you need a professional Cycle repair then we recommend Jethro at Hepworth Cycles
We hope you will consider joining us, please look through the answers to common questions below, if you have further queries before joining send a message using our contact page
The PBB scheme, is an affiliated community scheme sponsored by Cycling UK, it has been created by a few Petersfield cyclists to provide a place where cyclists in the local area who wish to get out on a bicycle can team up with ‘Buddies’ to better enjoy the experience.
We hope to link up anyone no matter their skill or experience, for town, country or off road riding.
We especially want to attract those who may be less experienced or rusty, perhaps nervous of cycling alone to make contact with others, perhaps more regular cyclists who are keen to offer their encouragement, combined with knowledge of cycling in the area, and ride together.
We believe cycling is an excellent way to enhance people's health and wellbeing, and in the longer term to improve our environment through reduced pollution and sustainable transport.
We have over time found group rides to be very popular and continue to expand the portfolio of rides on offer.
Please review our Joining page and complete the application form
For ALL
Enjoying a very friendly, supportive group in the fresh air and beautiful countryside, almost always with a coffee stop to chat and enjoy everyone's company too.
For less experienced riders
Building your confidence in riding on (or off) road with the reassurance of being with someone who is an experienced local rider.
Meeting with a small group of like minded Buddies (initially on 1-1 basis if this is preferred) to enjoy a ride.
Riding at your own pace (and distance)
Help create a ‘club’ feel to the scheme so you can feel confident to contact other riders once you are more confident.
Join in group rides and low key social events
Access the knowledge of local experienced cyclists for the best routes to ride.
Access to cycle maintenance facilities.
Membership of a discussion forum to answer any questions you may have.
For Experienced Riders (in addition to the above)
A place to link up with other riders and lead (or join) small group rides.
Satisfaction in helping others to get out on their bikes. Transferring your knowledge and experience
Help us develop the cycling community in the Petersfield area
Access to (a limited number) of free Ride Leader, Cycle Maintenance and First Aid courses
Free liability Insurance cover when leading a less experienced rider or a group ride.
You will be asked to accept 9 disclaimers as part of the application form.
I confirm that I am over the age of 18 and that I cycle at the required standard (new/rusty rider - Bikeability level 2 or equivalent OR experienced rider - Bikeability level 3 or equivalent).
I understand that PBB may hold my information for up to 12 months (renewed annually) and may contact me at the addresses provided for the purpose of administering the Cycle Buddies scheme.
I agree to sharing my Phone number, Email address, and emergency contact information with other members in order to administer and run events.
I agree to pay an annual membership fee (Initially £0)
My bicycle is in a safe and rideable condition.
I understand PBB bears no responsibility for any personal injury, accident, loss, damage or public liability during the activity beyond reasonable duty.
I accept I am responsible for my own safety at all times
I have reviewed the Ride Risk assessment and will endeavour to follow its recommendations.
I accept my image may be included in publications and have the right to withdraw from any pictures being taken.
Everyone's safety is critically important
You are responsible for your own safety.
This scheme is operated on a mutual consent basis. No Rider (or leader) is expected to provide or follow direct instruction.
You must have a safe, roadworthy bike.
You should have a suitable level of competency (Bikeability Level 2) to ride on public highways.
We encourage everyone to carry cycling safety equipment including a cycle helmet, high visibility clothing, Mobile Phone and we recommend carrying a First Aid kit.
Insurance
If you are an ‘experienced’ rider and you are leading one or more people on a ride planned through the scheme you will be covered by the Cycling UK affiliated group insurance cover (see Membership documents).
For those not leading, NO Insurance cover is provided by the scheme but we encourage you to consider having 3rd Party Liability insurance (and potentially accident insurance).
As an affiliated group you can get reduced price membership of Cycling UK which provides 3rd party liability insurance cover as part of its members package.
No qualifications are needed.
You will be asked to assess your own level of competency and experience.
We use the Bikeability scheme’s 3 Levels
If you are a New cyclist (Level 1) or feel in need of more formal training we will probably direct you toward a training scheme.
If you are a novice or ‘rusty’ rider (Level 2) looking to ride with someone with more experience we will use this in our selection criteria.
If you are an Experienced/Regular rider (Level 3 + some years riding experience) we will ask you if you are happy to ride with someone in the Novice/Rusty rider group to encourage them along. This is not a requirement, you can still use the scheme to meet up with other experienced riders.
They are great Fun !
They usually stop at a Café or Pub for refreshments and are very much a social as much as a bike ride..
We have a good number of trained group ride leaders who offer a variety of different rides from small groups improving their skills or shorter on-road rides to some slightly larger and longer rides of 20 to 30 miles sometimes with some tracks as well as road, we hope to host more mountain biking as well dependent on member interest.
Rides will be described in detail with information on distance, gradients and overall difficulty, terrain and suitable bike types, the pace and any hazards.
Nobody will be left behind, there is no problem waiting at the top of a hill for everyone to reach it in their own time!
All Rides will be posted using an App called SPOND which can be used on a phone or computer or via email.
After completing the application form we will chat with you to make sure your information is as complete as possible and if necessary to help you find cycle training or other groups that may be most appropriate for your situation.
We regularly run very small group rides as an introduction for new members to get to know us and how the rides operate.
If you want to start with individual assistance then we will Buddy you up with an appropriate person to get you started, you will quickly come to enjoy the group rides as they extremely sociable. You will be meet the potential Buddy in a public place to allow you and them to feel comfortable with the arrangements. Do not feel committed to this person you can ask for someone else at any time. Create / Agree a plan for how to get out cycling together taking into account, availability, road and weather conditions, bicycle type, bicycle repair, fitness level etc.
Distance and pace will be clearly described on any buddy rides that are posted. They could involve riding into or around the town down available cycle routes, down the beautiful lanes in our area or across the countryside around Petersfield depending on your mutual goals.
If you join a group ride it will be made clear in the description about the distance, terrain and speed.
ANY
It must of course be safe, serviceable and suitable for use on public highways (or offroad).
E-bike riders are more than welcome.
A number of the Buddies have been trained in basic bike maintenance so we can assist you to get on the road or we can recommend a professional for more serious repairs.
PBB also has a number of bikes available to loan for shortish periods for a minimal cost.
See Loan or Repair
Thanks to receiving a number of donated bikes we may be able to offer you the loan or sell you a low cost bike for a small donation, so if you don't have a roadworthy bike or want to try out a different style of bike to give it a try please contact us for more details. See Loan or Repair
We are working alongside members of Petersfield and Liss Men's sheds with a few members who can help you with cycle maintenance to assist you to make sure you have a roadworthy bike. We request a small donation to help run the scheme for this help. See Loan or Repair
It is not a cycle training scheme, however we can assist you to find qualified instruction if this is more applicable.
We can provide Ride leader, First aid and cycle maintenance training through our link to Cycling UK.
We encourage members to become Ride Leaders, there are detailed guides in our members information and if necessary we can arrange some training.
@PetersfieldBicycleBuddies
