By Gulab Mostofa
Sunday 6th June 2021 | 8.30am Meet up
Itinerary
8.30am
Registration & Briefing
Blackburn meet-up point (near Chaiwala BB1 6EE) free car parking also available nearby.
London meet-up point Behind London Muslim Centre, Fieldgate St, E1 1ES.
Birmingham meet-up point TBC.
9.00am
Ride start
1.30pm
Approximate completion of ride
2.30pm
Zuhr Salah followed by meal
Equipment List
Helmet (Essential)
No helmet = no ride. It only makes sense guys.
Jersey
While you might think of a cycling jersey as a luxury item, it’s one that’s sure to quickly prove its worth. Cycle around in a jumper or a t-shirt as i did when I started out, you’ll soon find yourself buffeted by freezing winds – and if you’re constantly in moving, you’ll be cycling into new, cold air. These conditions are what forces new cyclists to quit early.
Like your waterproofs and thermals, a cycling jersey should ideally be as snug as possible without causing discomfort – too loose, and it’ll act like a sail, hugely increasing the amount of work required to move forward.
Padded Cycling Shorts
Padded cycling shorts are really tight. They make a strong fashion statement — and not necessarily in a good way. But the truth is that padded cycling shorts make cycling much more comfortable, and help you ride faster and you can spend longer in the saddle. If you’re going to get serious about road riding, you’ll want to wear them.
Please bare in mind padded shorts are like tights and you must wear appropriate 3/4 length shorts to cover your modesty.
3/4 Shorts (Essential)
As muslims it’s essential to cover the Awrah, padded shorts are so light, tight and thin that the modesty of a man can become exposed. Please ensure you wear 3/4 shorts on top of your bib-tights.
Gloves
This is more for comfort. Cycling gloves help to soak up excess sweat, keeping your hands dry. The best gloves of this sort are exceptionally lightweight, with holes around the fingers and the backs of the hand, and Velcro straps to secure them into place. They’ll also be padded around the palm, helping to deaden the vibrations that pass from your handlebars into your forearms.
Socks
Like all sports socks, specialist cycling socks are excellent for wicking sweat, and thus keeping your feet nicely dry and comfortable, but don’t spend £20 on a pair of socks. Please.
Toolkit
Finally, we arrive at perhaps the most important item a beginner cyclist can invest in; a toolkit. Riding a bike and maintaining one are disciplines that go hand-in-hand.
A good Multi-toolkit should comprise a series of rugged Allen keys, spanners, and screwdrivers. You’ll be able to buy them ready-assembled, in a form compact enough to be easily stowed into your rucksack. Also a basic puncture repair kit will be small enough to keep on you at all times and will help you out of some sticky situations. You’ll also want a small bicycle pump or a co2 canister pump and you’ll be ready to go!
Water Bottle (Essential)
Staying hydrated whilst out riding is critical. You may need two water bottles for this one.
Saddle Bag
A saddle bag is perfect to store your tools, inner tube, repair kit and other paraphernalia.
Nutrition
On ride nutrition is essential if you are to enjoy the ride. Dates, oat bars, gel bars are all good.
Bike
Please ensure you bike is in a roadworthy condition and don’t require last minute work on the day.
