About
Introducing the ColVélo Collective.
The Riding
Since our inception in October 2014, we’ve build a committed following of local riders. A full range of Ages and experience, all of whom enjoy nothing more than a day in the saddle. Our first full calendar year was 2015 and we offered up over 8,000km of club rides. From 40km Cafe rides, 300km single day tours of the region and everything in between.
For some, ColVelo has developed a reputation for long days out on terrific terrain with scenery to match. And while this is certainly one aspect of our club, we’re firmly committed to inclusive rides for all over shorter distances that can serve as a launch pad to the bigger days out. New for 2016 are the ColVelo Coffee & Canvas Club rides. Billed as our introduction to ColVelo, the rides are build around a relaxed pace, shorter distance and a chance to find out about the club. These rides will be lead by Club member Andy Colsell who has been involved with our club since day one. These rides head out every two weeks, twice a month, rain or shine. So strap on your Carradice, and come and meet us for a ride.
The Monuments
In 2015, we set our members a challenge, four rides from April to September and over 1,500km in distance. These became known as the ColVelo Monuments.. Check our Strava club page for details. For anybody who has participated in cyclosportive riding in the past, the ColVelo monuments are a fantastic alternative to busy events undertaken in the relaxed environment of a club ride. Perfection!
The Kit
In May of 2015 we took the first delivery of our distinctive kit. The Orange and Grey bands of ColVelo are a nod to the classic kits of old with a high-viz modern twist! Nearly as distinctive as our jerseys are the orange over-socks donned by many of our members. See a mini-peloton of whirring orange feet and sartorially elegant jersey bands approaching, chances are that’ll be ColVelo!
Our kit is available to members alone, and we have 2 order windows a year where you can hit our online store and deck yourself out for Spring, Summer Autumn and Winter. We try and have on offer what is desired by the membership. So if it’s a skin-suit for Cyclo-Cross or a deep winter jacket for a Lakeland raid in early January, drop us a line and we can work out any items we may be missing.
Getting Away
ColVelo loves to explore the full extent of our region, but we do like to head further afield too. With Trips to Wales and the Alps in 2014, We’re looking to add more destination cycle trips for 2016. This May we have two trips running to North Wales, and before that a small group will be heading to far northwest Scotland in March. In September plans are afoot for a tour of Flanders. At ColVelo we enjoy the road less travelled, and leave the mass participation cycle events for other clubs and groups. We like to think that any cycling goal you may have can be met by riding with our collective. Distance, spirited adventure, travel and enjoyment. All Central to our philosophy as a club.
Membership
We always welcome new members at ColVelo! If you’d like to join, please head over to our Membership page to find out more.
ColVelo is affiliated by British Cycling, providing an on-line presence on the British Cycling website, basic third party insurance for members and the opportunity to race wearing the ever popular ColVelo Jersey.
Where to find us
We have a wide presence over social media with our Strava club page being central for ride details and route mapping, while our Facebook and Twitter feeds see regular updates.
Strava, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram:
https://www.strava.com/clubs/colvelo
https://www.facebook.com/colvelocc/
While this site will allow us to form an online presence and community. ColVelo is, for the most part, about the ride. Interesting and varied routes on some roads you may know, and some you may not. The focus is away from the racing scene. This is something that Colchester and North Essex has on offer in abundance. We love cycling and we love everything that goes with it. The history, the stories, the bikes and the people to name but a few. It’s our passion and we know it’s yours too. We want to be your first choice when you decide to ride out at the weekend and explore our fantastic countryside. There is Plenty of it, and we intend to explore every inch of it! So please join us.
We hope to see you for a ride soon.
Many Thanks,
Will Morgan and Rob Harwood – The ColVélo Collective