About Cycling at Exeter
The University of Exeter Cycling Club covers road racing, mountain biking, time trialling, cyclo-cross, and social touring — competing in BUCS Cycling and British Cycling events throughout the academic year. Devon is simply one of the finest cycling environments available to any UK university: flat coastal roads of the Exe Estuary, rolling East Devon lanes, Haldon Hill forest trails, and the testing climbs of Dartmoor are all within 30–45 minutes of Exeter city centre. The club's Saturday morning social ride — open to all levels, typically 40–60km with a café stop — has been described by members as one of the best weekly campus activities at Exeter. The competitive programme produces BUCS regional podium finishers and British Cycling event placers, while the social touring culture makes cycling one of the most genuinely inclusive sport communities at the university.
Club History
The club's current profile grew through the cycling boom of the 2010s, when British success at the Tour de France and Olympics drove a surge in university cycling participation. The mountain bike section was added alongside road cycling to reflect Devon's excellent off-road trail network. British Cycling affiliation was established, enabling members to race under the university's BC club registration in regional and national events. Time trialling has been particularly strong — several members have won age-group titles at regional BC TT events.
Joining the Cycling Club
A freshers' welcome ride in September (40–60km social route with café stops, no competitive pressure) is the most popular way to join. No barriers regardless of cycling type — from city bikes to race machines. Specialist subgroups (MTB, TT, road race) run their own sessions that new members join based on interest. Bike fitting advice and maintenance workshops run throughout the year.
Training
Road squad: Tuesday morning endurance rides (70–100km) and Thursday evening group rides with interval work (40–60km). Mountain bike: Sunday mornings on Dartmoor and Haldon trails. Time trial: mid-week training on local TT courses. Saturday social rides: 40–60km, café stop, all levels welcome. Competitive road members typically cover 150–250km per week.
BUCS Competition
BUCS Cycling road races, time trials, and MTB events at national venues. Beyond BUCS, members compete in British Cycling regional road races, national MTB events, and CTT time trial series across Devon and Cornwall throughout the year.
Teams
Highlights & Alumni
Members have won regional British Cycling TT age-group titles and placed on BUCS Cycling podiums across road and TT categories. Devon's terrain is cited by competitive coaches as one of the best university training environments in England. The Saturday social ride culture gives Exeter Cycling Club one of the highest member-participation ratios of any club at the university.
Tips for Prospective Members
- Secure bike storage is non-negotiable — specify this requirement to Gillams when viewing properties
- Get British Cycling membership alongside club membership — it provides third-party insurance for all road riding
- Dartmoor is 45 minutes from Exeter by bike — the Saturday social rides often incorporate Dartmoor routes in spring and autumn
- Bring your bike to Exeter by car or courier at the start of term — Exeter isn't well served by public transport with a bike
- Haldon Hill is the single best training climb for Exeter cyclists — learn the route in the first week of term
Student Accommodation for Cycling Players
Secure bike storage is the critical requirement — not all student houses have it. Pennsylvania Road properties with outbuildings or rear garages are popular. Heavitree and Mount Pleasant give better road access to Dartmoor and the A38/A30 networks for cycling out of the city. Gillams has specific properties with bike storage across Pennsylvania Road, Heavitree Road, and Mount Pleasant Road that are recurring requests from cycling club members.
View Properties Near the University →Popular Areas for Cycling Players
Most University of Exeter cycling players live in one of these student areas — all within easy reach of Streatham Campus and Sports Park:
Related Sports at Exeter University
If you play cycling you may also be interested in these Exeter University clubs:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Devon good for university cycling?
Devon is one of the best cycling environments available to any UK university. Flat coastal roads, rolling lanes, Haldon Hill trails, and Dartmoor climbs are all within 45 minutes of Exeter — terrain variety that most UK universities cannot match.
What cycling disciplines does Exeter University Cycling Club cover?
Road racing, mountain biking, time trialling, cyclo-cross, and social/touring. Each has dedicated training groups and competition programmes.
Can beginners join Exeter University Cycling Club?
Yes — the Saturday morning social rides are specifically for all levels with no competitive pressure. The welcome ride in September is a 40–60km social route with café stops.
What accommodation works best for Exeter University cyclists?
Properties with secure bike storage are essential. Pennsylvania Road with outbuildings, Heavitree and Mount Pleasant for Dartmoor road access. Specify storage as a requirement to Gillams when viewing.
Does Exeter University Cycling Club compete at BUCS level?
Yes — road, TT, and MTB categories in BUCS Cycling nationally. Members also compete as individuals in British Cycling events and CTT time trial series.
Where does the mountain bike section train at Exeter?
Dartmoor and Haldon Hill forest park — both within 30–45 minutes of Exeter. Haldon has a dedicated trail centre with skills tracks. Dartmoor provides natural cross-country and enduro terrain.