I think im done with my club

[DogmaStu]

Several, but only from one grouping? Brutish Cycling have their handbook which encourages their clubs to behave in certain ways, plus the membership structure makes it more likely that people move between clubs inside that grouping instead of outside, homogenising them to a degree, meaning some of the problems are shared by most of their clubs (such as a minimum speed high enough to be ableist). Then there's the unethical sponsor at present also discouraging members from other groupings from switching to them.

CUK have their handbook too. I expect some other groups have theirs. Some follow none but the barest requirements (and a few don't even do that). There's plenty out there.

I hear what you are saying and I think once I know the Club very well, put up with a few regimental rides, there will be riders within who want the same as me and so I'll be assigned to a Group more to my liking.

I should perhaps clarify too that I'm after a specific type of Club/Group that here in the UK is predominantly in the realm of British Cycling. I'm not looking for a very casual, ambling along, taking in the scenery and chat, social ride Club to pop out to the cake shop and back with.

The Clubs/Groups I am used to are: 18-20mph ave, 40-100mi rides with a racing element to them - i.e. attacks, breakaways, sprints, race to the top of the climbs etc and not just a social chat. A bit of everything. I have had this with members of a local Club I belonged to last year separate to the official Club rides.

I get all that from my Clubs/Groups abroad. I am a member of British Cycling because racing license (I have zero problem with Shell as the sponsor, it's money for cycling and we can't stop using fossil fuels overnight, it's a gradual process) and so their affiliated Clubs make sense.

 

[CXRAndy]

I have been riding solo.
Only issue is how far from home as there's no one who would come and rescue me in an emergency

Carry more kit for most easy repairs, it doesnt matter for speed if you are solo. I used to carry a big saddle bag which snacks, drinks and tools for long easy rides.

 

[Chislenko]

Carry more kit for most easy repairs, it doesnt matter for speed if you are solo. I used to carry a big saddle bag which snacks, drinks and tools for long easy rides.

I have only really been stranded once. On a back road in Portugal and my tyre disintegrated. A rather fetching Portuguese lady stopped in her Mégane convertible, we somehow bundled the bike into what passes for rear seats on them (roof down obviously) and she ferried me and the bike to the local bike shop, about seven or eight miles.

 

[Tom B]

I'm not sure how I found myself here....

But I ride solo, always have, its one of the reasons I ride.

Head space and relaxation, no watching the bike in front, no worrying if you're dropping people, no trying to accommodate everyone's whims and needs. Can set of when I want, can finish when I want, can go to the pub, shop, parents, have a wee in my own time.

As for mechanical farts, I once had a puncture 9 miles into the Camel trail and 13miles from camp. I considered an XL Uber.

 

[cyberknight]

Bit of an update
I have club kit for sale on their whats app page as i havent had a club ride since december last year due to no interest in sunday when im free .I have been making routes to have a cake stop at home to cut costs as i cannot see the point in a cafe if im solo .
Also posted on a couple of facebook pages for uk road cyclists asking for local clubs ,

 

[Jameshow]

Bit of an update
I have club kit for sale on their whats app page as i havent had a club ride since december last year due to no interest in sunday when im free .I have been making routes to have a cake stop at home to cut costs as i cannot see the point in a cafe if im solo .
Also posted on a couple of facebook pages for uk road cyclists asking for local clubs ,

I've done the same to my running club, since separation I've find it difficult to go back to the family village more than necessary.

Plus I cannot afford the membership ATM, I told the club secretary and a couple of members but haven't heard anything.

 

[Kingfisher101]

Doesn't sound like some of these clubs are very friendly really. Not very good really.

 

[DCLane]

@cyberknight - I saw the FB post. Hopefully you'll get some suggestions, even if they're of the "me too, and I'm nearby" type.

@Jameshow - all clubs that are BC registered give up to 5 rides for anyone considering joining as a guest to try without needing to register, the guest being covered under BC's insurance. Is it worth a look round? Not sure if running/triathlon clubs are similar but I'd guess so since I used a local Tri club a couple of times for their swim access without joining.

 

[cyberknight]

@cyberknight - I saw the FB post. Hopefully you'll get some suggestions, even if they're of the "me too, and I'm nearby" type.

@Jameshow - all clubs that are BC registered give up to 5 rides for anyone considering joining as a guest to try without needing to register, the guest being covered under BC's insurance. Is it worth a look round? Not sure if running/triathlon clubs are similar but I'd guess so since I used a local Tri club a couple of times for their swim access without joining.

So far not much interest,I know of 2 other local clubs closer I have contacted before but no reply.
The one I used to belong to still does Sunday rides in Burton (Mercia) and I still have a jersey so I might pop down next week.today the weather is foul so at work literally using a heat gun watching paint dry 😅

 

[derrick]

Was a club rider not to long ago, but to many self-gratification artists in the club now, so i ride with mates, with a beer stop at the end of every ride.
it's a bit of a shame as i did meet a lot of really nice people while in the club, still in contact with them.

 

[derrick]

Was a club rider not to long ago, but to many self-gratification artists in the club now, so i ride with mates, with a beer stop at the end of every ride.
it's a bit of a shame as i did meet a lot of really nice people while in the club, still in contact with them.

(self-gratification artists) Not my words but close enough.

 

[cyberknight]

The club was brilliant people , just lack of people to ride with was the issue .I was on messenger to a guy who is similar ability to me , well a bit better and he says even the "fast" saturday group is really what we would call social pace. I dont have any mates .

 

[Tom B]

The club was brilliant people , just lack of people to ride with was the issue .I was on messenger to a guy who is similar ability to me , well a bit better and he says even the "fast" saturday group is really what we would call social pace. I dont have any mates .

Have a look on Faceache, there are a a number of what I call social cycling groups near me.

It's not a formal club as such, but there are various people usually posting theyre going x y z route at such a time and people are welcome to join for the whole ride, bits of the ride or even just for a bacon butty at the mid ride shop.

No group rules, no fees, no politics, just dip in and dip out as you feel. My missus is on a few as an armchair member.

 

[cyberknight]

Have a look on Faceache, there are a a number of what I call social cycling groups near me.

It's not a formal club as such, but there are various people usually posting theyre going x y z route at such a time and people are welcome to join for the whole ride, bits of the ride or even just for a bacon butty at the mid ride shop.

No group rules, no fees, no politics, just dip in and dip out as you feel. My missus is on a few as an armchair member.

i have tried posting rides inviting people by posting im riding , i have had 2 people so far this year.I am in the process of asking on facefluff and seeing what response i get back.One so far is 23 miles away

 

[CXRAndy]

Depends on how much you desire group riding, either change club or alter work/life pattern to accommodate your need for social group riding.

My old club, Sunday was the main day for outings. Some keen riders would organise small Saturday outings too, but they were young and keen. The odd old fella would say Im cycling Thursday-anyone welcome, I did a couple because I was available.