cycling clubs

[gavroche]

how many of you actually belong to a cycling club?
What are the benefits ( apart from riding in a group)?
Do you have to commit every week?
Is there much snobism about makes of bikes, gear etc....
Is age a problem ( 60 for me).
I have been thinking about joining my local one but have held back so far as I dont really like the unknown.
I would appreciate your views although I understand that this may vary on depending on your where you live.

 

[captainhastings]

I have been thinking about a club run. My local club does not require you be a member at least initially. But I am worried about daft things such as my bike handling is not that great yet and I am still trying to get confidence on the road. Plus I have started this clip less lark so I want to get reasonably adept at that first.
I have met one chap and I am sure they are a very friendly bunch who just enjoying cycling

 

[the snail]

I go out every Sat/Sun for a leisure ride. I joined at the start of the year, and it's been great. Very friendly, and a great way to learn about cycling, riding in a group, checking out other people's kit etc. Riding in a group is great way to build confidence if you're new to road riding. First time I went on a club ride, I rolled up to the group, had a clipless moment and toppled over! I've led some rides recently

 

[steve52]

i met with loads of snobery and elitisum ,so i joined a club at the other end of the country that i never see ,so i can enter time trials and races as for group rideing i have found that u can turn up at any gathering and be welcomed, its not clicky untill you meet club capitains , just my experience not to be applied generally!

 

[palinurus]

I'm a club member. At the moment I'm busy with other stuff so apart from marshalling a couple of time-trials and helping set up the cyclocross course I won't really be involved much this season. I rarely turn up for club runs since I don't like to get up early on Sunday and tend to ride later in the day. As far as activities go I enter some of the club time trials and a number of the local league 'cross events. I wouldn't have tried 'cross if the club hadn't promoted an event.

There isn't much in the way of bike snobbery that I've noticed. I ride a six-year old Allez, my TT and 'cross bikes are older (but have nicer parts), I have turned up for time-trials on a number of odd bikes. My commute bike gets some looks sometimes because it's got a hub dynamo, a rack and a mirror (I think it's the mirror that really sets them off- it's a fairly race oriented club)

So

Benefits: For me: getting involved with and taking part in different aspects of cycling and the chance of a group ride if I want on a Sunday.
Don't have to commit every week (not in a large-ish club anyway).
Larger or long-established clubs usually have a wide age range of members.

 

[monnet]

I reckon joining a club is the best thing I've ever done. There are two main ones in my area - one is a bit snooty and all about the racing. From what I hear they are down to under 30 members and all bickering amongst themselves.

My club on the other hand are superb. I joined when I moved to the area about 3 years ago. They're super friendly, cater for all needs (there's slow rides, fast rides, long rides, short rides, mid week a chaingang, a mid week pub ride, time trials etc etc.

Aside from the advantages you list there are plenty of fringe benefits, for me at least. I find there's always motivation to get out on the bike, a different group of friends, plenty of people around to offer advice and help regarding bike maintenance. I've got to know the guys who run the local bike shops which means that a) I get better service b) a club discount c) occasionally a mates rate discount on top of the club discount! I started out as a strong-ish cyclist and was ok to go straight into the faster, longer groups. I had the intention of just doing clubruns and the odd sportive but after a year in the club it became clear that I quite liked competition and was encouraged and helped to start racing.

As for the bike - don't worry. If it's a good club there'll be no snobbishness. A woman started coming out with us about a year ago. SHe had this super heavy aluminium shopper/hybrid type bike. She was made to feel very welcome, and she's now got herself a Trek road bike but she wasn't exposed to ridicule. Equally we've got young lads who are desperate to get the latest carbon creation but simply can't afford it so they ride around on their dads' 30 year old steel frames. No one says anything, after all there are a couple of guys who turn up in winter on bikes that look like they've been nicked off the local vicar - we give them loads of stick but we all know they can rip peoples legs off if they choose to, regardless of the bike they're on!

Age, again, is no problem. We've got a guy who's in his late 70s who comes out with us quite regularly and there are plenty like him.

In summary, club cycling (with the right club) is a wonderful, friendly and fun experience. What could be better than going out or a ride in the morning with a whole bunch of mates. Stopping for coffee and cake and talking bikes, the Tour and having a bit of fun sprinting for hills and signs and getting fit at the same time. Join one! It'll change your life for the better!

 

[cloggsy]

I'd love to join a club, but alas the nearest one to me is over 20 miles away; I can't see the point of riding 20+ miles to then do a club run or alternatively driving that far...

What do you need to start a club (other than members?)

 

[Toeclip]

I rode with a CTC group for over 24 years and had many committee rolls in that time my last post was Secretary. But 12 months ago I left the group and now do mostly solo cycling and have started to enjoy my cycling again! I do occasionally meet up with my old group at the cafe or like this morning I rode out with one of my old club mate`s. I think after 24 years I just needed a break from club riding, but I always say if you join a club your have mates for ever!

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Been a Coventry Road Club member for about twenty years, these days I tend to ride alone most of the time and only ride with a group occasionally, up until about four years ago I would be out on the club ride every other Sunday. I've only ever done the Sunday rides I've never got involved with the racing or the organization of the club. I've met some lovely people, made some good friends, got to see parts of the local area I would never have found on my own, got to know about café's I wouldn't have known about otherwise and built up a good knowledge of the local lanes.


http://www.coventryroadclub.org.uk/

 

[ELL]

I am in my local club and at 29 there is as 70+ who can still hand my ass to me.


Top reason for me to go out is the motivation to go out and keep fit. The guys in the club and are all friendly and helpful and have a great deal more experiance than me so that helps. I think it depends a lot on the club you join. Most should let you tag along FOC for a couple of weeks to see what you think and then make you mind up from there.



Some of the top (snob) riders will judge you/your bike but most wil jus tbe happy you are there.


Riding in a group is a lot easier as well because of drifting the man infront, being in a group of frinds makes the ride a lot mor fun, motivation from other riders and you will go on a lot more different routes with a club.



Dont worry about the club just go along and if you dont like it then thats not the club for you

 

[monnet]

Some of the top (snob) riders will judge you/your bike but most wil jus tbe happy you are there.

I'd rephrase that as 'some of the riders with loads of money and expensive bikes may judge your bike.

Depends on the club, but my experience is 'top' riders usually have sheds full of tatty looking bikes that come out every now and then (usually in winter, granted). The top riders in my club just love bikes and they'll help you get it sorted to suit it for your needs. They all accept (because they know better than anyone) that it's the rider not the bike that makes the biggest difference.

 

[HLaB]

how many of you actually belong to a cycling club?
What are the benefits ( apart from riding in a group)?
Do you have to commit every week?
Is there much snobism about makes of bikes, gear etc....
Is age a problem ( 60 for me).
I have been thinking about joining my local one but have held back so far as I dont really like the unknown.
I would appreciate your views although I understand that this may vary on depending on your where you live.

I'm in a club, the major benefit for me is the Banter the cycling benefits are just an aside.
No you don't need to commit every week (there's always a bigger turnout when the weather is nice).
I don't think there's much if any snobism about bikes just compliments when you have a good one.
Age certainly isn't a problem I've come across a lot of riders in the 60 age bracket and if you join the CTC that's probably the average age
I would give it a try, you'll never know unless you go

 

[Big T]

A lot depends on the club of course. Our club is friendly and welcoming to newcomers. We have a Saturday morning beginners ride of about 25-30 miles with a cafe stop at half way round. We average 12-14 mph. These are very popular, we had 20 out last saturday. Our oldest rider is 74 and we had a young lad of 11 with us as well. We do have members who race as well and a faster ride on Sundays (16-18mph) and Wednesdays(for shift workers, self-employed, retired and those on holiday). You can ride as much or as little as you wish. We have people who come every week, others who will come once every couple of months.

A lot of clubs are more racing focussed than we are and you'll find that their rides are faster than may be comfortable for a beginner.