clubs

[lennythenewbie]

when is the right time to join a club? seems they are doing longer distances than im able to at the min.also what ave speed do the clubs run at so i can try get to that standard dont want to make an arse of myself straight away lol

 

[screenman]

The club I belong to has over 155 members some of these may not even still own a bike, do not get too hung up on organised rides or how fast, somewhere in that club will be members who will ride your distance at your speed, they will also be called your new friends.

Organised club runs tend to be anything from the wrinkly ride at 14mph where you will come across some members aged over 80 in our club, these rides may be 30 or 40 miles and nobody get dropped. The there may be a more sporting 16 mph group and a faster 18mph+ group.

Join a club and organise your own rides, you will find that other members will be happy to join in with you.

Ask not what your club can do for you but what you can do for your club, this will make you a very welcome and wanted member of any cycling club I know of.

 

[lennythenewbie]

thanks screenman

 

[DCLane]

It depends how big the club is; I thought mine just did a big Sunday ride. Then I found out they did Saturday rides (then 2, now 3) of varying distances - which were designed to help people move up to the Sunday ride.

They also had, but didn't advertise, a whole pile of others.

I'd suggest you contact a few near you and ask.

 

[lennythenewbie]

cheers dclane im googleing now lol

 

[lpretro1]

Sounds a bit arrogant describing a ride averaging 14mph as the 'wrinkly' ride - there are lots of folk who can't ride at that average speed but can manage the distance. Seems a good enough description to put people off joining!

 

[lennythenewbie]

im just doing miles just now no really bothering with speed don 19 and quarter miles yesterday in 1 hour 22 mins enjoyed it but it was baltic cold lol wind in yer face going up hills is not good

 

[simmi]

A lot of clubs offer new member/rider rides these are not only relative short and at a steady pace but are also used to get people up to speed with the skills needed in group rides.
If you have several clubs near you I would contact them all and see what they have to offer.

 

[lennythenewbie]

tthanks had look and email two clubs nearby

 

[Rob3rt]

Sounds a bit arrogant describing a ride averaging 14mph as the 'wrinkly' ride - there are lots of folk who can't ride at that average speed but can manage the distance. Seems a good enough description to put people off joining!

 

[Chris Norton]

My club has 3 weekly rides.

Tues night - fast one aiming for 20mph ave.
Weds night - social 15 mph ave
Sunday - the big 60 to 70 mile one.

I'm enjoying the weds night one.

 

[screenman]

Sounds a bit arrogant describing a ride averaging 14mph as the 'wrinkly' ride - there are lots of folk who can't ride at that average speed but can manage the distance. Seems a good enough description to put people off joining!

Not arrogant at all, it is what they in our club call themselves. Mainly they are retired folk ranging from 55 to 85 and many could give most younger members a hard time on a ride if they decided to, although they never would.

Wrinkly applies to the texture of the skin of most of them and has nothing at all to do with the ride distance or speed. Most clubs I have been in contact with have a wrinkly section and are very proud of them.

 

[screenman]

My club has 3 weekly rides.

Tues night - fast one aiming for 20mph ave.
Weds night - social 15 mph ave
Sunday - the big 60 to 70 mile one.

I'm enjoying the weds night one.

Chris, Boston Wheelers or Yellow Velo? have you been along to Heckington for the grass track racing, it is a show I have been involved with for about 20 years on the cycling side and it is extremely competitive.

 

[Chris Norton]

yellow vello. made me most welcome on my hybrid. wheelers will probably burn me off. as I've no current plans to get a typical road bike. Wednesday night is bike night.

never done grass track. looks fun when I've been at the show.

 

[HLaB]

My first club IIRC said you should comfortably average 15mph for 30 or 40 miles, I waited until I reached that but wished I'd joined earlier and would have managed slightly below that level and at my current club the Sunday social run is exactly that and most people could cope.