Bike Clubs

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JoniL

New Member
Location
Manchester
Hi,
I'm toying with the idea of joining a bike club at the minute. I did a quick search a few weeks ago, looking specifically for road bike clubs, but there seemed to be quite a bewildering choice for my area and I gave up, not knowing where to start. I suppose I'm looking to get to know some more people who are mad about cycling, learn a lot and probably most importantly, do some more rides. I'm 18 and want to find a club that will offer rides that won't be too long, preferably organised at the weekends. What else can I expect to gain from becoming a member of a bike club? How much will membership cost? How do I find and spot a good bike club?
Thanks in advance,

Joni
 

ACS

Legendary Member
Check their sites for early season Reliability trails and join in. They can be pretty full on but it gives you a chance to ride with club and decide if its the type of club for you.
 

MLC

New Member
Great way to go highly recommend it.

Generally a road club will have a racing bias (chain gangs, TT's and road races) however if they are larger they may also offer social rides/tours and off road.

The CTC has a touring bent that concentrates on slightly more sedate rides (it could be said that CTC stands for cafe to cafe) however even with these they may split up into ability groups. Can't speak for CTC nationwide but mine doesn't do TT's or races but does encourage Audaxe type rides and are not as old man as they sound.

Membership price varies but expect around the £ mid twenties pa

Some may insist that you join CTC or the race equivalent for TPL Insurance.

Just get in touch with and get along to as many as you can. Most are very welcoming to new members. Try each one out, then you can decide which fits you the best. Most cycle clubs offer a couple of freebie rides before they ask you to join.

One tip I would say (unless you don't mind driving to and from the rides) is to join one within easy cycling distance. For me I found that limit to be about 7.50 miles. It is quite hard cycling back after your first ten mile TT.
 
Yes i would also recommend a club, since joining mine I have done more cycling and longer distances (much easier in a group).

Membership of mine costs £14 per year.

I would do an internet search, make a short list and try a few out. Most have information on the website as to the type of riding they do, distances, speed etc. Some may have a choice of fast or slower groups to ride with. But if its a good club you will never be left behind.
 

Paulus

Started young, and still going.
Location
Barnet,
Once you have picked a few clubs that you may be interested in joining, contact them, most will let you come along a few clubrides for free. A good club will not let you get left behind, one rider will stay with the backmarker and see them home. Somewhere on their website/info it should say we ride at the speed of the slowest rider, or, we have different ride groups to suit all abilities.
 
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