Group rides

[GlenBen]

Im thinking of signing up to a group ride. No idea what or where yet though.

I also dont have a bike yet, not a suitable one anyway.

I have two worries that are holding me back slightly.

1) Would people look down their noses if I turned up on a cx bike

2) Would people look down their noses if I wasnt wearing 'correct' gear, lycra etc. I have always felt more comfortable in loose shorts and a tshirt.

Im not too worried about my speed, Im confident I could keep up without any/many issues. Just the points I mentioned. I just dont want to turn up and make a fool of myself.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Not any decent group!

The club I belong too - Leeds Cycling Action Group (plug!) - does an Easy Riders sat session for anyone, and then a longer sunday ride where the distance is a bit greater but its no less friendlier. On both the only requirement is that your bike is roadworthy, and I've done rides with people on BSOs to full carbon specials wearing anything from jeans to full lycra and everything in between.

I shared some of your concerns when I started, but having done few rides now I know all of them were unfounded.

 

[MisterStan]

There was a CC group ride last Sunday where we had nearly everything including full carbon and titanium frames, a recumbent trike and a tandem.
Some were in full lycra, one person was in jeans - nobody got left behind and we all had a great time. We suffered one visit from the fairy and everybody waited patiently for it to be sorted out.
It may be worth having a look in the CC & Informal Rides and Events forum (http://www.cyclechat.net/forums/cc-informal-rides-and-events.47/) to see if there's a local ride you could attend for a taster.
I was pretty nervous before my first forum ride, now i'm planning a route and hoping to lead a ride, just need to find a decent cake stop.....

 

[I like Skol]

......, just need to find a decent cake stop.....

That's always the tricky bit!

Just wear what you want, I certainly do, and let the legs do the talking!

 

[Andrew_Culture]

All the group rides I've been on are very friendly and inclusive. If folk want to go fast then they'll generally ride with folk they know will go fast. Group rides should be fairly relaxing.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Oh, and if it's any consolation I did my first few group rides in what I thought was a cycling top, but it turned out to be underwear.

Nobody said a word

 

[172traindriver]

A decent bunch shouldn't pass judgement on what you are wearing. However you may well find cycling specific clothing far more comfortable to wear than say a pair of jeans. Also don't forget cycling specific kit will most likely have a pad in it and there is nothing more off putting than a sore bum when riding.
The kit will most likely have the ability to withstand a certain amount of wet weather and dry more quickly.
If you are fit as you claim, then keeping up won't be an issue. I would think one of the most important issues would be the ability to ride safely whilst around others and to not endanger others.
Just make sure you enjoy yourself

 

[GlenBen]

I have tried padded shorts, never got on with them. Ill have to try bibs one day, theyve been suggested many times.
As for riding around others, I like to think I could manage, but I imagine its the sort of thing that you only figure out you cant, when youre lying under a £20,000 heap of broken carbon. But fingers crossed that wont be happening, my shorts would be the least of my worries.

Thanks for all the replies guys.