South East Group Secretary, John Steer says:

"In my four years as Secretary of the South East Group I have made a point of getting everybody to feel a part of the club and to really enjoy themselves. Essex has some fine countryside and the SEG can help you discover the best of it. Nice scenery, fun people enjoying cycling at an easy going pace- you can't beat it".

The South East Group began in 1975. During that time our numbers have steadily increased and we have a large group some of whom are still with us from the early days.

Our rides start from Wickford next to the market cafe at 9.30 every Sunday morning (Click here for map). Some riders get to the start having cycled from Basildon, Rayleigh, Woodham Ferrers, Canvey, Southend and Shoeburyness. Some do drive to the start or use the train if they feel that the ride will be too long for them. At 9.30 the runs leader will bring everybody together (by interrupting the chat!) and if necessary create a second group (for safety reasons we try to ride in groups of no more than 10 riders). For the ride out of Wickford we typically ride through the Hanningfields or quiet routes to Billericay, Brentwood and Maldon. Our leaders are very experienced and know how to get the best out of our cycling at an appropriate speed for all levels of fitness.

This is not a racing club- indeed exactly the opposite. We ride as a group at a leisurely pace with a stop at halfway which is quaintly known as elevens'. At this point we stop at a café for about 45 minutes for breakfast and a cup of tea. Once replenished we return to our bikes where we either return home (usually by 1.00pm) or continue onto a lunchtime destination at a village in some part of charming countryside where the only place to stop is the village pub. This all-day ride is for the experienced riders who can cope with 50 mile plus distances necessary to safely complete the return journey. Otherwise the ride to the half-way point is about 10 to 15 miles.

We are happy to make special arrangements for newcomers so that over a period of time (typically a few weeks) you could steadily improve your stamina to a point where riding with long established riders becomes easy. In any case the first Sunday every month is a dedicated short ride.

The following pages of website describe the kind of cycling we do in the South East Group the places that we go to, the type of bikes we ride and what you should bring with you. A SENSE OF HUMOUR IS MORE IMPORTANT