An evening ride over to Lady Bay

Women in Tandem are running a women-only evening ride from Nottingham Railway Station on Tuesday 10 November, starting at 6:00pm and wrapping up by 7:30pm. It's a flat 6.5-mile loop that takes you out of the city centre and through a few different neighbourhoods, and the whole thing is run at the pace of the slowest rider, so you won't be left behind if you're not used to cycling in groups.

The route follows the cycle lanes through the Meadows and Wilford before heading into the quieter streets of Lady Bay and West Bridgford. It's a gentle run of the place rather than a fast one, and because it sticks to the cycle lanes for a good chunk, it's a decent way to get a feel for how to navigate the city on two wheels without having to fight the traffic. Since it's a flat route, it's as much about the company as the cycling.

Women in Tandem is a Nottingham-based Community Interest Company that describes its aim as supporting and empowering women to ride bikes. This particular session is funded by the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund, and it's open to women of all levels, whether you're a regular on the road or haven't been on a bike in years. It's a women-only ride, so if you've been wanting to get out on a bike but haven't found a group you felt comfortable with, this is a good place to start.

On the night, the group meets outside the mini Tesco at Nottingham Railway Station on Carrington Street, NG2 3AQ. The ride itself runs from 6:00pm to 7:30pm, but they're meeting at 5:45pm to get everyone sorted before they set off. You'll need your own bike, and they advise bringing lights, gloves, and clothing that'll keep you warm in the November evening air.