Thinking about joining a cycling club

[Deleted member 20519]

After a CC Ecosse ride, I've realised that I don't particularly like riding by myself - it's pretty boring. Since getting my road bike, I've been out quite a bit but not as much as I would have liked. I've been thinking about joining a cycling club but I would imagine that all of the other riders would be of a much higher fitness level than me.

The cycling club in particular would be Johnstone Wheelers (http://www.johnstone-wheelers.co.uk) but I would be in the under 16's club, the 'Johnstone Jets'.

Now I saw some of these people a few weeks ago and, well, they're proper cyclists. They were all very fit and I'm... not. I suppose that's one of the reasons I would like to join a club, get some motivation to go out more.

I just don't want to be out of my depth, you know?

 

[ianrauk]

Give them a call and have a chat.
Clubs usually have different levels of ability of rider and you work your way up through the groups the fitter and faster you get.

Any club worth it's salt will welcome you with open arms, answer all the questions you may have and help you fit in.

ps. I hate cycling on my own too.. I get bored of my own company

 

[Rob3rt]

They will most likely run occasional intro rides, go on one! They won't shoot you out of the back, they will go as slow as the slowest rider, or let the group fragment.

 

[Col5632]

I cycled with a couple from that club, they were older but they didnt seem in a hurry to get anywhere so i would imagine there will be a group you could keep up with

 

[Rob3rt]

Go to this!

Sundays 9:00am Thirty Milers Run

Leaves from the Club Room on Miller Street at 9 o'clock sharp​

​

Specifically aimed at the following:-​

• those starting out with the club who wish to learn and improve their fitness with others at a similar level
• those returning to the club who hope some day to be able to go out on a full club run again
• those restricted for time on a Sunday for whatever reason
• those who just want a bit of company on a Sunday morning

Limited to an approximate distance of 30miles, over a couple of hours, making use of the cycle track and fairly easy local roads. Routes planned a few days in advance (almost) and an agreement to wait (within reason) at the top of the hills if we find any.​

​

The initial goal is to get riders up to a level that they are comfortable with and to attract new members who may otherwise be put off by higher speed, long distances, or full day excursions

Sign up to the club's forum and reply to this topic: http://www.johnstone-wheelers.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=7075

TBH, the hardest thing about joining a club is acclimatising to riding in close proximity which can feel a bit claustrophobic at first, especially the inside line, the speed will come, also in a group you will be able to go faster for several reasons, one being the drafting benefits, the other being that generally people tend to perform better given an event with other people because you will push on where you would tend to slack off a bit.

 

[Col5632]

Go to this!


Sign up to the club's forum and reply to this topic: http://www.johnstone-wheelers.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=7075

TBH, the hardest thing about joining a club is acclimatising to riding in close proximity which can feel a bit claustrophobic at first, especially the inside line, the speed will come, also in a group you will be able to go faster for several reasons, one being the drafting benefits, the other being that generally people tend to perform better given an event with other people because you will push on where you would tend to slack off a bit.

First post is the couple i was riding near on the two capital charity event

 

[zizou]

The Johnstone Jets are one of the biggest under 16 cycling clubs in Scotland, from what i've heard they are pretty well regarded.

They will do specific training to help with things like group riding and general bike skills - and you will pick up good habits early on. Of course some of the guys there will be fast and race but dont let that put you off you will be able to make big gains quite quickly, and im sure there will be a mix of abilities. Anyway this time next year you could be one of the guys who are fast and race

I'm not sure what the rules are with going out on club runs with the main club would be - some clubs dont allow under 16s out on club runs unless accompanied by an adult but worthwhile emailing and asking. If you are in Paisley then there is also the Paisley Velo club, they are fairly new though so i dont know what they are like

 

[Deleted member 20519]

The Johnstone Jets are one of the biggest under 16 cycling clubs in Scotland, from what i've heard they are pretty well regarded.

They will do specific training to help with things like group riding and general bike skills - and you will pick up good habits early on. Of course some of the guys there will be fast and race but dont let that put you off you will be able to make big gains quite quickly, and im sure there will be a mix of abilities. Anyway this time next year you could be one of the guys who are fast and race

I'm not sure what the rules are with going out on club runs with the main club would be - some clubs dont allow under 16s out on club runs unless accompanied by an adult but worthwhile emailing and asking. If you are in Paisley then there is also the Paisley Velo club, they are fairly new though so i dont know what they are like

I was thinking about the Paisley Velo's, they're run by my LBS. He was asking me if I was interested in coming along but as of now (I think), they don't have a youth section.

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Go to this!


Sign up to the club's forum and reply to this topic: http://www.johnstone-wheelers.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=7075

TBH, the hardest thing about joining a club is acclimatising to riding in close proximity which can feel a bit claustrophobic at first, especially the inside line, the speed will come, also in a group you will be able to go faster for several reasons, one being the drafting benefits, the other being that generally people tend to perform better given an event with other people because you will push on where you would tend to slack off a bit.

I would like to go along on that run tomorrow morning but I'm having trouble registering on the forum

 

[Rob3rt]

Find the start location on their website and just turn up. TBH, thats a good test, will let you see how friendly, inclusive and welcoming they are.

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Find the start location on their website and just turn up. TBH, thats a good test, will let you see how friendly, inclusive and welcoming they are.

It's at the club house, I know where it is, it's just off of the cycle path. I just wanted to know if it was going to be a fast ride (I'm not very fast) and if you have to be a member/over 16 to go along.

 

[Rob3rt]

Turn up and ask, if it is an intro ride, it won't be fast. It says 30 mile in a couple of hours and they will wait at the top of hills for any slackers. 15mph in a group is slow.

Also, pretty much any club worth its salt will let you ride a few times before joining, try before you buy and all that!

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Turn up and ask, if it is an intro ride, it won't be fast. It says 30 mile in a couple of hours and they will wait at the top of hills for any slackers. 15mph in a group is slow.

Also, pretty much any club worth its salt will let you ride a few times before joining, try before you buy and all that!

Will do, just don't wanna be falling behind. First impressions 'n all that.

 

[Rob3rt]

I doubt you will fall behind, seriously, give it a shot and don't worry, 15mph in a group is very easy going, you will spend most of the time sat in the group getting an easy ride (riding behind other riders saves a lot of energy). What sort of speeds are you averaging on your own?

 

[Deleted member 20519]

I doubt you will fall behind, seriously, give it a shot and don't worry, 15mph in a group is very easy going, you will spend most of the time sat in the group getting an easy ride (riding behind other riders saves a lot of energy). What sort of speeds are you averaging on your own?

Couldn't say, I don't have a cycle computer. I'm not the fastest rider but I'm also not the slowest.