Club rides, not sure I can keep up!

[brokenflipflop]

You are beyond help.

Popcorn ready.

What ? What have I said ?

I don't want to be beyond help...I want to be able to be helped

 

[400bhp]

Someone else will point it out and if they don't you'll have got away with it.

 

[rollinstok]

Cycling should be about having fun. It should be about getting fresh air and improving fitness. It should be about exploring our country and others. If trying to maintain an average speed whilst looking at a bunch of lycra clad bums in a car fume filled atmosphere floats your boat then best of luck to you.

 

[brokenflipflop]

If trying to maintain an average speed whilst looking at a bunch of lycra clad bums in a car fume filled atmosphere floats your boat then best of luck to you.

Actually, come to think of it, that's exactly what I do on my club run . I am crap at this cycling thing

 

[brokenflipflop]

You've been reading that Lance Armstrong haven't you.

I have.

 

[poynedexter]

on the original topic, the idea of joining a club run IS a big step. i would some day like to do this but having spent the last 20 years racing motocross bikes i'm really not wanting to get too competitive again. i'm just enjoying cycling with friends at the mo. if i was the OP i would stick with doing your own thing for quite some time, cause obsession is just around the corner once you get sucked into cycling club life

 

[skudupnorth]

Try a Cycle Chat ride,they are good for riders who have not been out in a group and we always stop for cake and never leave anyone behind !

 

[brokenflipflop]

Try a Cycle Chat ride,they are good for riders who have not been out in a group and we always stop for cake and never leave anyone behind !

But take a dictionary and leave your copy of the Sun at home

 

[TheSandwichMonster]

From experience: I had similar misgivings about joining my local club runs...

Our club is quite "racey" for want of a better word - it's certainly competition-focused. The three Sunday rides were advertised (on the website) as being 15-16mph (slow run), 17-18mph (middle run) and ~20mph on the skinny whippets with minimal body fat run. This put me off for a good long time whilst I considered myself to be unfit for those kinds of speeds.

Reality is different. The "B" (slow) run is a social run. It's more like a 13-15mph pace and the reality of the situation is that when you're riding in a group, chatting away, it's significantly easier than grinding out the miles by yourself. I think you'd likely be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is.

The ride that you've linked, based on speed, distance and heartrate, looks far more like a chaingang type effort rather than a typical club run. I don't honestly think that it's indicative - those kinds of rides are all well and good, but there have to be longer runs too.

 

[Francesca]

just go for it

 

[Hicky]

Ethan, I know it is a route plucked outof many so take that into context;
it is crap and for the sake of safety I wouldnt be doing that sort of speed on them roads(that I know well), especially in a group.

However go down to the uni club, they may have rides that will suit....simply cherrypick them or go to one of the lbs and ask about clubs/rides....there's plenty of rides on the pages here you could attend.

 

[cyberknight]

Its not an age thing, its more of an addictive thing.



I was thinkin I would struggle with my typical speed being about 20mph or so! I guess most clubs are worlds away from time trialling/racing? Also what kind of bikes do they ride in your club? I typically ride a carbon fibre bike on the road and wear aerodynamic clothing which helps a bit. I also ride a full sus mountain bike and wear any baggy old shoot that I dont mind gettin wrecked, slows me down somewhat.

Do not confuse average with typical speed , the fast boys average 20 mph including hills so when they on on the flat its more like 22 + i remember once we were doing echelons on the way back at 25 , TBH i tend to go with the medium group as i do not have time to train besides commuting atm but i intend to get back into the fast group this year .They ride a variety of bikes ranging from like me "entry " level " alloy bikes right up to a guys on top spec carbon.
The medium group will ride at the best pace of the rider who attends as its a no drop group so it tends to be a bit stop /start for stronger riders who will blast a hill then wait for slower rider or like me we will play "taxi " and go back and give a draft people who are struggling .The average for that group should be around 17-18 mph but can be as low as 16 mph .

As others have said you get a lot of help when riding in a group because of drafting ,encouragement etc so if you can find a club that has a group a few mph faster than you and tries to encourage new riders then go for it !!

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Try a Cycle Chat ride,they are good for riders who have not been out in a group and we always stop for cake and never leave anyone behind !

Although they may lose you for a few miles while 3 of you stand and stare at a boat on a canal then turn round and they have buggered off

 

[skudupnorth]

Although they may lose you for a few miles while 3 of you stand and stare at a boat on a canal then turn round and they have buggered off

Oh yes,forgot about that !