Cycling clubs in years gone by had, in some quarters at least, an intimidating reputation, with tales of new riders being driven into the ground by old school clubmen and dropped deep in the countryside as a rite-of-passage.

But the sport’s explosion in the UK has seen the cycling club evolve and they now come in all shapes and sizes. There are more than 1,500 cycling clubs and you can use the British Cycling Club Finder to find one near you – but don’t be afraid to shop around.

Most cycling clubs will allow prospective members to join a handful of rides before signing up so, if you have a number of clubs in your area, try a few to see which bests suits your ability and aspirations as a rider. Some clubs are geared up towards novice riders, while others place a greater emphasis on racing.