new cycle club

[Fab Foodie]

Thanks all for your support! Everyone is welcome and I'll post more nearer the time... we planning like fury right now and hope we can pull off our best event to date. What matters most is that people have fun and meet new people to pedal with.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I've been out with our local club once and thoroughly enjoyed it because I don't often ride with anyone at all. I was, however, the slowest and the ride leader stayed with me pretty much through out, and if it was not him, someone else was always with me. Part way through the group which was over 40 in size, split into two. I was still the slowest, but not always, one or two sections I overtook some of the others which surprised me considerably. I ended up doing 55 miles that day which was too far too soon after my injury. I have to confess to not having been back out with them, simply because I am only really happy managing 45 miles at the moment and tend to average around 12.5-13mph which is not really fast enough for the club rides, though I may get faster now my wheels have grease in the hubs - last Sunday's ride was certainly easier and the bike quieter

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

That looks really good!

'Liked' on facebook, will watch out for more info. It's the same day as the London Marathon, so maybe hubby and I may be in different parts of the country to each other

 

[BrumJim]

I have only had two experiences of riding with someone that was too slow.
In one case he had underestimated the effort required to go up the hills, and despite modifying the route to avoid the hardest ones, he admitted that the route would be too much for him, so he went back home early on in the ride.
The second one, I wasn't wearing enough to ride at his pace. I spent a lot of time warming up during the stops. A few more layers, and I would quite happily have continued at his pace.
Unless people are training, or you have seriously over-estimated your capabilities, there are very few cyclists who would begrudge taming their pace a little in order to stay sociable and friendly. Those who don't want the company wouldn't go on a group ride anyway. Many cyclists prefer the solitude and ride alone.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I have only had two experiences of riding with someone that was too slow.
In one case he had underestimated the effort required to go up the hills, and despite modifying the route to avoid the hardest ones, he admitted that the route would be too much for him, so he went back home early on in the ride.
The second one, I wasn't wearing enough to ride at his pace. I spent a lot of time warming up during the stops. A few more layers, and I would quite happily have continued at his pace.
Unless people are training, or you have seriously over-estimated your capabilities, there are very few cyclists who would begrudge taming their pace a little in order to stay sociable and friendly. Those who don't want the company wouldn't go on a group ride anyway. Many cyclists prefer the solitude and ride alone.

Agreed - I have already had several emails with the club I was interested in and they were well aware of the injury I was recovering from and knew it was a test ride for me to see how well I was recovering and if I would be able to keep up with them. Now my hubs actually have some grease in them , I may just be able to maintain a better pace and keep up with them which would be nice because it was great to meet up with others who cycle rather than just saying hello at as I pass by other cyclists in the road - most, if not all of my cycling is solo.

 

[screenman]

Most clubs have members who do smaller organised ride, not just the large group type that we often see out on a Sunday. If they do no then join the club and organise your own, an offer of tea and cake back at your place after will see it quickly grow. We stopped bring them home when the numbers started climbing above 70, which also coincided with us moving to a smaller house, now we are back in a larger one I am keeping it a secret.

P.S, my wife is famous amongst cyclist in the area for her grub, many of my larger home finish rides had members from many clubs arrive, ride and eat. Namely, Lincoln Wheelers, Lincoln Velo, Gainsborough Aegir, Louth Wheelers, Alford wheelers, Cheery Valley CC etc.