BLACK CYCLISTS NETWORK

So you want to cycle but… why the but? Is it because you don’t own a bike. No problem with many bike loan schemes and charities lets try to help you get on the road.

Cycling on the road can be quite daunting. Due to the great work by Sustran in conjunction with many national councils, marked and segregated lanes have been provided to aid your journey. Here are some tips in what to wear and how to plan your route.

At the Black Cyclists Network (BCN), Our aim is to connect cyclists from Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) background. We also want to use our platform to encourage people of colour to take up cycling. We are a majority BAME club, But don’t let that put you off. We are an inclusive group. We welcome supporters and members from all backgrounds who share our vision.

Black Cyclists Network (BCN) Limited (company number 12972088) is a commercial company limited by shares. BCN was founded in 2018 by Mani Arthur. Our goal is to get people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds to get into cycling. We are a progressive and inclusive organisation consisting of cyclists of all backgrounds, united by a mission to encourage people of colour around the world to take up cycling. BCN generates revenue through the sale of club merchandise, membership fees, sponsorship, and grants.

Our goals over the next 12 months is to:

Under BCN Commercial Company

i. Manage the BCN race team. Britain’s first Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) competitive cycling race team, in all competitions.

ii.  Lobby cycling’s governing bodies such as British Cycling and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) to take an active stance against racism and improve diversity within cycling.

iii.  Establish BCN Chapters around the world

iv. Generate revenue through sales of club merchandise, membership fees and sponsorships.

Under BCN Foundation (Charity)

v. Support the activities of BCN Cycling Club in the UK. The club will generate revenue through grants and sponsorship.

vi.  Establish BCN chapters in other parts of the UK.

vii.   Provide coaching at grassroots level for children and adults. Provide equipment for talented prospects from low income households.

viii.   Support a network of cycling clubs in developing countries.

Our goals over the next three year is to:

i.  Professionalise and grow our charitable foundation.

ii.  Establish BCN chapters around the world.

iii.  Establish a Pro-continental men’s race team made up of mostly BAME athletes.

iv.  Establish a competitive women’s race team made up of mostly BAME athletes.

v.  BCN in the Community: Continue the work of the grassroots initiative formed in year one by professionalising the initiative into a BCN in the community project to develop and support talented young cyclists with aspirations of becoming professionals. This project will also include education. Visits to schools to talk about the benefits of cycling to mental and physical health.

vi.  Ongoing lobbying of the cycling industry to promote diversity and take an active stance against racism and improve diversity within cycling.

BCN has one full-time employee, founder Mani Arthur, who devotes all reasonable hours to developing BCN and in return receives a basic income commensurate with the cash flow generated by the company, plus essential expenses incurred in fulfilling duties. The founding director is supported by Greg Patmore (Chief Commercial Officer) and James Gray (Operations Manager) and events and other activities are facilitated by a range of volunteer members.

DUE TO THE UK GOVERNMENT LOCKDOWN MEASURES TO BE IMPLEMENTED ON 5/11/2020 GROUP RIDES AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES SHALL BE SUSPENDED. PLEASE CHECK OUR NEWS & UPDATES PAGE FOR FUTURE EVENTS. WE ARE PLANING ON RUNNING VIRTUAL RIDES VIA ZWIFT AS WELL AS A HOST OF OTHER ACTIVITIES. THANK YOU

If you’d like to join us for a ride, please feel free to join us.
Due to Covid-19 guidelines we are meeting in separate areas to avoid groups of over 30.

Why not join our Strava club to receive notifications of our events and rides.
Join BCN Strava Group

Saturday Club Ride Laps.

NO HELMET NO RIDE!

NO BRAKES NO RIDE! FIXED GEAR BIKES MUST HAVE FRONT BRAKE!

There will be 4 types of rider groups to accommodate all members:

• Group 4: Skills group (10-13mph). For riders who are new. This group covers the basics. Hand signalling, Group riding drills & Group riding etiquette. No drop.
  
  Meeting Point
  https://goo.gl/maps/sd2nXrnWmGwohesP8
  
• Group 3: Steady group (14-16mph).This group covers signalling, basic group riding rules, etiquette, some complex group drills.
  
  Meeting Point
  https://goo.gl/maps/sd2nXrnWmGwohesP8
  
• Group 2: Experienced group (17-19 mph). It is expected that you will know how to ride in a group. This group cover complex drills at a higher pace.
  
  Meeting Point
  https://goo.gl/maps/vRWgWnJiKMK7PZ4e6
  
• Group 1: Fast group (20mph+). It is expected that you will know how to ride in a group.
  This group cover complex drills at a race like pace.
  
  Meeting point
  https://goo.gl/maps/CxY2Ws5fMSYCo3B56
  
  Overall Difficulty 1 star⭐
  

Sunday Club Ride

Every three weeks. We head out to Essex, Windsor or Hertfordshire. Usually no more than 70 miles. Invitation only. Riders must have some decent level of fitness and have experience riding in a group.

Overall Difficulty Three Stars ⭐⭐⭐

Epic Rides

Takes place once a month. Invitation only. Experienced riders. Riders must have a good level of fitness. Rides go beyond 100 miles such as London to Brighton and Back.

Overall Difficulty Five Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐