Ribble Valley Juniors Cycle Club

29/09/2026

Ride Report: RVJ Do The Guild Wheel Clockwise - Saturday 26th September....
..a route that needs no introduction - a pure 21 miles of mostly traffic free smiles.

We've entered that time of year when changes of clothes and layers are required to cover off the chilly start, and subsequent warming weather leading to a very warm sunny finish, and this ride highlighted that.

3 juniors and a bunch of adults joined us at Avenham, and following some chit chat, one person's return to the car for the forgotten helmet, a couple of late arrivals, and a quick bike check we were off.

It's a leisurely flat start to the Guild Wheel from Avenham in either direction. Clockwise takes you to the docks, out the other side and then over Blackpool Road to track back towards Preston via Savick Brook. North through UCLan Sports Arena, continue through Cottam,and up to Broughton before turning South again and on towards the quiet Durton Lane.

The quiet traffic free parts allowed our younger riders to charge on with the lead Ride Leader - constant chattering amongst them, and even some bike swapping to try pit each other's bikes. The adults were a little more leisurely with lots of conversation filtering through from the back.

Lunch outside Starbucks provided fuel for our younger hungry members, with a little bit of "play time" as well.

The final challenge of the route is the descent to Brockholes - with everyone giving it a go. It's a perfect test of control and ability, combined with courtesy to anyone on foot. It's then just a lovely ride through Brockholes, back along the Ribble, and into Avenham Park to complete the circuit.

The Guild Wheel is a fantastic piece of infrastructure and we are fortunate to have it on our doorstep. If you haven't ridden yet do give it a go.

Our rides are led by Ribble Valley Juniors adult members who are British Cycling qualified Ride Leaders, and are specifically designed with younger riders in mind, using as much safe cycle infrastructure, off-road routes, and quiet roads as possible, though we attempt to keep the latter to the minimum.

Our next ride will be posted soon so follow our page - likely to be a novice ride to Hurst Grange. We will adjust novice rides depending on who signs up so the route may change to reflect ability. Also, sign up to Letsride.co.uk if you haven't already.

24/09/2026

Guild Wheel ride...!!! Ribble Valley Juniors invite all comers, young, old, and not so old on this free Guided Ride if Preston's Guild Wheel.

This route needs no introduction - fully encircling Preston mostly traffic free on shared paths. There will be a stop for drinks and food.

You dont have to be an RVJ member to join in these free Guided Rides. Meeting point is the café in Avenham Park at 9:45AM for a 10AM departure following briefing and bike checks.

Bring helmets, snacks, drinks, a smile, a spare tube for your bike(s), and all riding youngsters must be accompanied by a riding adult - be mindful of the forecast and dress appropriately.

Follow the link for full details and sign on - we look forward to seeing you. Please message with any questions or drop them in the comments below and we'll get back to you.

This ride is conducted by British Cycling Ride Leaders who are members of Ribble Valley Juniors - a British Cycling affiliated club for young riders and their adults.

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15/09/2026

Free Guided Ride any one??? Come and join us for RVJ Boats, Trains, and Trams. This is 16 miles of relatively flat miles and smiles.

We have some amazing industrial history in this area, some of which has been turned into alternative transport infrastructure, or supports it. We'll be riding the Old Tram Road, over the old rail line that it joined, taking in part of the Guild Wheel, and also riding along part of the Lancaster Canal. Even Avenham and Miller Parks have their roots in cotton.

You dont have to be an RVJ member to join in these free Guided Rides. Suitable for hybrid, MTB, gravel, or CX style bikes.

Bring helmets, snacks, drinks, a smile, a spare tube for your bike(s), and all riding youngsters must be accompanied by a riding adult - be mindful of the forecast and dress appropriately.

Follow the link for full details and sign on - we look forward to seeing you. Please message with any questions or drop them in the comments below and we'll get back to you.

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12/09/2026

Ride Report: RVJ Buckshaw Jailhouse Rock- Saturday 12th September....
..a damp start to this weekend's ride did not put our rider's off, and Ride Leaders Jamie and Jon were joined by 3 juniors and 3 adults.

A quick M-check of all bikes, a short rider briefing warning of ouddles, mud, and stinging nettles, and we were off.

The route is one of our most loved as it gives a lot of freedom to the juniors on quiet tracks, bridleways, a single track blast through the woods, and shared routes.

From Buckshaw it is shared cycle route followed by quiet estate roads to reach Worden Park. Through Worden and then following the Leyland Loop until we join Slater Lane and then onto bridleway around the back of the Leyland Warriors Rugby Pitches.

Bridleway almost to the beginning of Nixon Lane, and then down Nixon Lane, staying East of the prisons on Pump House Lane to do a clockwise circuit around them, blast through the woods to link uo with Ridley Lane, back along Nixon Lane and then to Paradise Park.

More bridleway towards Cocker Lane, link up with shared routes adjacent to Schleswig Way which we cross at the end near Bobby The Horse, back along bridleway to rejoin the Leyland Loop alongside the River Lostock and back through Worden Park and onto Buckshaw.

A final 'treat' for our riders today to climb to the top of the hill by the Green Man on Buckshaw before blasting back down and then a return to where we start by The Hub at Buckshaw.

We love riding this route, great fun.

Our rides are led by Ribble Valley Juniors adult members who are British Cycling qualified Ride Leaders, and are specifically designed with younger riders in mind, using as much safe cycle infrastructure, off-road routes, and quiet roads as possible, though we attempt to keep the latter to the minimum.

Our next ride will be posted soon so follow our page - likely to be a ride from the school at Walton-Le-Dale. Also, sign up to Letsride.co.uk if you haven't already.

09/09/2026

Fancy some Jailhouse Rock? RVJ invite all comers to this ride, young and old. You dont have to be an RVJ member to join in these free Guided Rides...
..Buckshaw Jailhouse Rock is 16 miles of smiles. A fairly flat ride incorporating shared cycle routes, bridleway, and rough tracks. Expect some puddles and some mud.

Suitable for hybrid, MTB, gravel or CX style bikes.

Bring helmets, snacks, drinks, a smile, a spare tube for your bike(s), and all riding youngsters must be accompanied by a riding adult - be mindful of the forecast and dress appropriately.

Follow the link for full details and sign on - we look forward to seeing you. Please message with any questions or drop them in the comments below and we'll get back to you.

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06/09/2026

Ride Report - Preston West Explorer, Sat 5th September

Weather conditions on the Pre-ride were horrendous (strong wind), but weather today was good, Dry, bits of Sun, rain clouds on the horizon (but didnt get any nearer.

Rider numbers were low today, 4 adults and 2 Juniors, along with ride leaders Simon & Jon.

We headed out on the Guild Wheel, past the docks, onto Edith Rigby Way, James Towers Way, then Cycleways through Cottam, to pick up Canal at UCLAN, then back roads back to Avenham. 15miles, a good ride was head by all.

Our rides are led by British Cycling qualified Ride Leaders. Our next ride will be posted soon. Keep a lookout.

01/09/2026

Join us for more fun this coming Saturday (05/09) on our Preston West Explorer ride. Starting from Avenham Park. Please sign up using the link below
https://www.letsride.co.uk/rides/preston-west-explorer-5

30/08/2026

Ride Report: RVJ Beach Café - Sat 29th August 2026....
.. Summer holidays have seen some very low turnouts and this was no exception. For anyone reading this: our rides are open to all, come and join us, give it a go. Obviously we'd love to see some juniors as well, so kids, get your adults out on a ride!

With an unsettled forecast a café ride was proposed and Beach Café is great for juniors and adults - Frederick's Ice Cream on offer, great cakes, breakfast barms, and more, it has something for everyone.

Running the proposed route in reverse mixed the ride up a little and meant Molly, our youngest rider, didn't have to face the challenging hill of Hennel Lane at the end of the ride.

The weather was unsettled but surprisingly warm, with only very light smatterings of rain. A steady pace was put up and soon we were along the south bank of the Ribble, over the cobbled bridge, onto the Guild Wheel, around the north side of the docks, and then settling down for treats at the café.

A choo choo train on the docks before we left for home, and then theough Avenham, over the New Tram Bridge, and following the Old Tram Road and former railway line back to Bamber Bridge.

Our rides are led by Ribble Valley Juniors adult members who are British Cycling qualified Ride Leaders, and are specifically designed with younger riders in mind, using as much safe cycle infrastructure, off-road routes, and quiet roads as possible, though we attempt to keep the latter to the minimum.

Our next ride will be poated soon so follow our page. Also, sign up to Letsride.co.uk if you haven't already.

27/08/2026

Roll up, roll up - last ride of the Summer Holidays for most...
..join Ribble Valley Juniors RVH Beach Café - a ride suitable for all with a café stop for coffee, ice cream, cake, or whatever takes yiur fancy.

At only circa 11 miles this is a gentle no rush ride principally on shared cycleways. Everyone welcome - please join us.

Bring helmets, snacks, drinks, a smile, a spare tube for your bike(s), and all riding youngsters must be accompanied by a riding adult - be mindful of the forecast and dress appropriately.

Follow the link for full details and sign on - we look forward to seeing you. Please message with any questions or drop them in the comments below and we'll get back to you.

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29/07/2026

Join us on Saturday 1st August for a Ride along the River Ribble. Sign up at the link below.
https://www.letsride.co.uk/rides/ribble-explorer