Join London Dynamo

Newcomer ride

We want everyone wearing club kit to be safe, to be great ambassadors for cycling and to preserve our excellent reputation out on the road. So, we ask all prospective members to attend a Newcomer Ride before you join London Dynamo, whatever your previous experience (see FAQs below for exemptions).

Newcomers will ride and meet with club members, and we will have an opportunity to ensure all newcomers are up to the right standard. We will explain what you will get from the club and what the club expects from you. You will ride 3.5 laps of Richmond Park in your group along with one of our Ride Marshals.

What, where, when

3.5 laps
Richmond Park
First Saturday of each month

We are receiving a large number of requests to join the club, so we are often fully subscribed 3-4 weeks before the next Newcomer Ride. To avoid disappointment, please contact us as soon as possible before the event for registration details.

Important information

Don’t show up without registering for a Newcomer Ride, we will not be able to include you as we will not have gathered the information necessary for you to enjoy a safe ride with the appropriate group.

You will need to be confident riding in close proximity to others, and by the end of the ride, in a Through & Off or Paceline formation. Our Ride Marshals will ensure you get a full safety and skills briefing before you set off. You will also be briefed on our Helping Out Programme.

Only icy or otherwise dangerous conditions would result in cancellation of the Newcomer Ride. We do not cancel for cold or rain.

Helping Out Programme [HOP]

London Dynamo is driven by the passion of volunteers who are committed to organising our own races and events. All members contribute to this through the Helping Out Programme. When you join London Dynamo, you will be required to help out with one event or activity per year and your commitment to help out is part of your registration.

What to bring

Must have

Road bike (with drop handlebars)
Clip in shoes & cleats
Cycling attire (padded shorts & jersey)
Smooth road tyres
Cycling helmet

Not appropriate

CX, Gravel, Commuter bike, e-bike or MTB
Trainers / Regular pedals
Camelback or backpacks
Off road or knobbly tyres
Non cycling helmet

Note: Riders who arrive at the Newcomers Ride without appropriate road cycling equipment and kit will not be permitted to take part.

Membership fees

  • £25 Joining Fee (from 1st June 2026)
    £75/year Senior Membership (over 24 adult).
  • £35/year Student Membership (under 23 or in full time education). No Joining Fee.
  • £35/year Junior Membership (under 18). No joining fee. 
  • £35/year Distant Membership* (see FAQ below).
  • Free University Student Race Team Training Rides (please enquire and see FAQ below).
Our Values. London Dynamo.

Joining process

  1. Read ALL the above [Newcomer Ride, What Where & When, Helping Out Programme and What to Bring].
  2. Fill in this form to register for a Newcomer Ride.
  3. Complete a Newcomer Ride (Adults [18+]) or Induction Ride (Juniors [14-17]).
  4. After completing a Newcomer Ride, you will receive an email notification with joining & payment instructions.

Fastrack for Elite Racers or Elite Triathletes

  • You can join our Fastrack without completing a Newcomer Ride if:
    • You hold a British Cycling 3rd category or better racing license (equivalent international riding qualifications also apply) or
    • You are an elite-level triathlete or duathlete looking to improve your cycling (proof will be required).
  • Fill in this form to join via Fastrack.

University Student (racing team)

If you are racing for a UK university team or on a placement year living in London, you are welcome to join our Performance and Race Team training rides, free of charge. Email to enquire. Conditions apply.

FAQs

Fees & Membership Management

Why is there a Joining Fee?

The £25 Joining Fee helps the club offset the cost of the Helping Out Heroes programme as well as the time and administration involved in onboarding new members, including the Newcomer Ride.

When do you process my payment?

Once declared safe by the marshals hosting the Newcomer Ride, you will be invited to join the Club by our Membership Secretary.  Once you have submitted your membership application and a Direct Debit for subscription is in place, the Membership Secretary will approve your application. Membership runs for 12 months from the date on which you are approved.

Newcomer Ride

Where and what time is the Newcomer Ride?

On the first Saturday of each month, by invitation only. The club meets at the Pen Ponds Cafe car park in Richmond Park at the following dates & times (the start time varies by season).

  • Spring – March & April – 7.45 am
  • Summer – May to August – 7.15 am
  • Autumn – September & October – 7.45 am
  • Winter – November to February – 8.15 am
Can I skip the Newcomer Ride?

You can join without doing a Newcomer Ride if you hold a British Cycling 3rd category or better racing license. Equivalent international riding qualifications also apply.

You may also be eligible if you are a current elite-level triathlete or duathlete looking to improve your cycling.

On an exceptional basis, where you are unable to commit to any published Saturday Newcomer Ride (for example for members of the Armed Forces or Emergency Services), we may be able to arrange an individual assessment. Please email for options and advice.

What kit will I need to buy?

As a member you will need to buy and ride in at least one piece of club kit from our online store (access only available to members). Most members will invest in at least a club jersey or a gilet. We are proud to claim that our club kit is manufactured by Le Col and is sold to our members at cost. As an extra benefit, all members have access to a 25% discount on all other standard Le Col retail kit available on their website.

How fast is the Newcomer ride? How fit will I need to be?

Our Newcomers Ride is not a race (we never race the weekly Saturday Park Ride), and is not a fitness test, although a basic level of fitness is required to complete the three laps of Richmond Park without stopping. We would typically expect riders to be able to complete the three laps in less than 1 hour 15 minutes. Prospective members are divided into similar ability groups so you will be riding with others at a similar pace. Don’t worry, we always ride at the pace of the slowest rider in the group, and we never leave anyone behind.

Are there any other requirements?

New members should be safe and reasonably experienced cyclists who are confident riding in close proximity to others.

  • Have a road bike with clipless pedals (no hybrids, no mountain bikes and no tri-bars) and a helmet.
  • Be able to fix a puncture by the side of the road.
  • Be able to reach for a water bottle, drink from it and put it back while not looking at it.
  • Be able to complete a 30km non-stop ride in a group
  • Be comfortable riding in a group of riders in wet conditions

If we think that you are not fit enough to keep up with our group rides, you may be asked to train further before attending another Newcomer Ride. Please do not be offended if this happens as it is done to ensure you can ride with the Club should you join.

How do I learn how to ride in formation?

On all our our club rides, we ride in groups of up to eight riders in Through & Off (also known as a Chaingang) or Paceline formations. They are relatively easy to master, great fun and making riding much more efficient. Please click this link for our Group Riding Guide. Don’t worry if you have any questions, your fellow riders or Ride Marshalls would be delighted to help you master these techniques.

How can I learn the verbal riding commands?

Please click this link for our Group Riding Communication Guide.

Helping Out Programme

Is Helping Out compulsory?

Yes, all members are required to register for the Helping Out Programme. Options include marshalling at club events and leading regular rides. Only juniors, distant members and members in full time education are exempt.

Miscellaneous

How do I apply as a Junior (under 18)?

We actively encourage Junior members, aged 14 – 17, in particular female riders. Whilst some experience is required, Juniors generally progress quickly. To ensure Juniors and their parents/guardians are fully aware of how we run things, we have a slightly different joining process. Please email for details.

How do I qualify as a Distant member?

A distant member must live a minimum 25km radius outside of Hampton Court Bridge and only very occasionally ride with the club.

University Race Team Training Rides

If you are an existing student that is actively racing for a UK University team or on a placement year away from your University, you will be able to join our performance and race team training rides free of charge. Please enquire. Your University branded race team kit must be worn on all rides. 

Next Newcomer Rides 4th July & 1st August 2026 Joining instructions will be sent to registrants the night before by email Our Newcomer Rides are very popular and tend to fill up quickly — spaces are often only available for the following event. To avoid disappointment, email [email protected] as soon as possible