Clubs do I or Don't I

[johnpembo73]

The reason I ask as per the topic Title is because when I go out on my own I know when I can push myself and when to rest whilst cycling and I always seem to have a good average speed 17mph avg and feel quite good at the end of the ride.
The past few rides I have done with my friend I have not only gone slower 14.5mph avg on every occasion but felt really drained at the end of the ride.

It seems I am getting used to riding on my own and enjoying my own company and then when riding with anyone else it seems I struggle to enjoy the ride properly and drained by the time I reach home. Or do I just need practice riding with others?
Is it me or a mind thing?

John

 

[Mozzy]

John, I reckon yer own company is the very best company, and CANNOT be beaten. You can work as hard as you like, think about what you want, go wherever your minds eye takes you, without answering to anyone … well apart from the plethora of numpty vehicle drivers that you need to watch out for … as I'm rapidly finding out.

It's a 10 from me

Mozzy

 

[Hip Priest]

I enjoy the solitude of riding alone. It might be different if I was out all day, but for couple of hours it's nice to be alone with my thoughts.

 

[HLaB]

I can sometimes go faster on solo rides than I can in a club and I can dictate the pace on my own but I enjoy the banter of a group and on days when the weather is cr@p it helps me to get out and on those days I will go faster in a group for less effort but if its not for you John, don't push it ;-)

 

[e-rider]

I like the idea of riding in a group or with a club, but everytime I try it I'm left disappointed!

Wrong pace, wrong distance, cafe stop that I don't need/want, dangerous decents, dangerous cars trying to pass 20+ riders, boring conversations, not taking shelter for 10 minutes when it's pissing down..........................

I now ride 95% alone and enjoy every minute!

 

[Globalti]

Interesting - I have wanted to try a club for a long time but have also suspected these issues might bug me. At least on my own or with a pal I can go where and when I please.

 

[amaferanga]

Sunday club rides are mostly social rides so are rarely fast. If you want to ride fast with a group then most clubs have weekday training rides that the fast guys do. If you enjoy riding at your won pace all the time though then no point in joining a club really.

I'm pretty cr@p at turning up for club rides as the inflexibility does annoy me a bit (i.e. 9am Sunday morning regardless of the weather - if the forecast is for heavy rain in the morning and sunshine in the afternoon I'd rather just wait til the afternoon) and I find them rubbish for training, but I do understand why they are the way they are and they work well for plenty of people. I do a decent job of representing my club in road races though....

 

[Xiorell]

I'm not sold on joining a club yet, been thinking about it but I'm a bit of a loner in general. I like going fishing alone, walking my dog alone, I like sometimes to go have a few pints on my own and just watch the world.
I think I'll see if a club round here does some sort of tag-along/taster days and go to that, see how I get on, but I do really like just buggering off out for a ride on my own with nobody to bother me.

 

[johnpembo73]

Looks like I have started a good discussion. I am and would like to do some Kilo to go rides next year but I am wondering if doing the ride Solo a week after the event might be best? The mind is in overdrive. I can always get my wife waiting outside the house with a medal and a free massage.

 

[Matthew_T]

As I go out pretty much every day for only 15-20 miles in the evening, I used to get quite uncomfortable to group rides. I have got used to them now and they have allowed me to up my pace.
I used to fall off the back when going up steep hills but only do it a few times now and am capable of catching up to everyone (with a little draft sometimes). You wil get used to riding in a group and how to keep your speed up.
I used to always ride in a high gear as I loved having power and not excercising as much. I have learnt that it is easier to be spinning than being in a big gear now though. You can get higher speeds and then change up.

 

[Hacienda71]

Don't worry about riding in a sportive on your own there are lots of others in a similar boat. I rode one the other week around the Peak District and although I knew about 10 riders in the event with the exception of the first half mile I rode with various groups of riders who I didn't know and who didn't know each other. It was just that I rode at a different pace to those that I knew and I wanted to ride at my own speed. Nothing wrong riding in a group of mates in a sportive though, but it is not essential. Just go for it.

 

[the snail]

It's worth joining our club just for the 10% discount at the LBS, it doesn't take long to cover your membership. But I really enjoy club rides - it motivates me to get out on the bike, plus it's nice to socialise. I have learnt a lot of nice routes that I didn't know, despite living here for 20 years. Most clubs will let you come along and see if you like it before you join, so why not give it a try?

 

[DiddlyDodds]

I like the idea of riding in a group or with a club, but everytime I try it I'm left disappointed!

Wrong pace, wrong distance, cafe stop that I don't need/want, dangerous decents, dangerous cars trying to pass 20+ riders, boring conversations, not taking shelter for 10 minutes when it's pissing down..........................

I now ride 95% alone and enjoy every minute!

My experience exactly .
Much rather ride early in the morning picking the weather when i want and alone with my thoughts , no one gibbering on and having to make small talk.

 

[DiddlyDodds]

My experience exactly .
Much rather ride early in the morning picking the weather when i want and alone with my thoughts , no one gibbering on and having to make small talk.

My misses just read my last post and commented "yea you anti social sod" haha

 

[coffeejo]

I enjoy cycling on my own but my motivation, skills and fitness have soared since joining a club. In fact, I've recently paid up for a second club. One is more social, t'other is faster. It either works for you or it doesn't but don't knock it til you've tried it.