What makes a good cycling club?
- Thread starter Noodley
- Start date
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punkypossum
Donut Devil
- Location
- My own little planet...
What I like about mine is that there is no snobbery and no pressure to get the "right" type of bike when you join. Also, it caters for all abilities, for those who fancy a gentle 25mile pootle to those who want to race/do longer/more challenging rides. The different groups still tend to meet at the same cafe stop, so everybody gets to mix and mingle.
Dave5N
Über Member
- Location
- Outside The Little Nibble
Purple
Fab Foodie
hanging-on in quiet desperation ...
- Location
- Kirton, Devon.
What I like about my club is...
Very little cliquiness, very supportive members and especially the organising comitee (I think this is key to making newbies feel welcome) and a suitible event where newbies can fully participate. In our case it's the Aussie Pursuit handicapped training night. Everybody get's to compete at their own pace, nobody gets dropped, anybody can score points. The fact that I've won the points trophy for last season is testament to the fairness of competition!).
The main ethos in our club is to try your hardest. That's what counts, not who's the fastest (we have TT's for that), but that you put in effort to improve week after week. That counts for a lot in our club (Didcot Phoenix CC).
Very little cliquiness, very supportive members and especially the organising comitee (I think this is key to making newbies feel welcome) and a suitible event where newbies can fully participate. In our case it's the Aussie Pursuit handicapped training night. Everybody get's to compete at their own pace, nobody gets dropped, anybody can score points. The fact that I've won the points trophy for last season is testament to the fairness of competition!).
The main ethos in our club is to try your hardest. That's what counts, not who's the fastest (we have TT's for that), but that you put in effort to improve week after week. That counts for a lot in our club (Didcot Phoenix CC).
BigonaBianchi
Yes I can, Yes I am, Yes I did...Repeat.
- Location
- Iskele TRNC & Mordor UK
I would like to be in a club but my limited experience has been ...well not for me really. I am not an all out racer type and TT's etc are not for me....so thats my local club out the window...I'm not into the CTC to be honest...nice people, just...well...not like me...but thats probably a good thing for the CTC I reckon...anyway...not for me...
...I dont want to feel like cycling is a competition and I dont want the anoracky nerd thing.....I'd like it to have a good cross section of people at all levels, a good social thing, and an active foriegn touring programme. It would also be cool to get some good maintenance classes etc, bike 'jumbles' etc.
Actually i thought the CC ride I went on was better than the local race club and the CTC rides I have been on because the people were more 'real'.
...I dont want to feel like cycling is a competition and I dont want the anoracky nerd thing.....I'd like it to have a good cross section of people at all levels, a good social thing, and an active foriegn touring programme. It would also be cool to get some good maintenance classes etc, bike 'jumbles' etc.
Actually i thought the CC ride I went on was better than the local race club and the CTC rides I have been on because the people were more 'real'.
Chrisz
Über Member
- Location
- Sittingbourne
I didn't join a club once because it was so cliquey - I ended up going and joining one in a different town who were much more friendly and supportive.
I'd expect any club to be open and welcoming and have a clear set of objectives/goals/directions. If they then don't cater for what I'm after - no problem. At least I'd know beforehand.
I'd expect any club to be open and welcoming and have a clear set of objectives/goals/directions. If they then don't cater for what I'm after - no problem. At least I'd know beforehand.
- Location
- the post-brexit wasteland
i was more worried about whether i was good enough for the weekend club runs than anything else. once i'd realised that i could at least keep pace with most of the group on the flatter rides, that worry was gone.
it helped that turning up on a bog standard halfords bike wasn't an issue for them either.
the club also has a good racing side, which i could join in with if i had the time/fitness.
it helped that turning up on a bog standard halfords bike wasn't an issue for them either.
the club also has a good racing side, which i could join in with if i had the time/fitness.
Saddle bum
Über Member
- Location
- Kent
If you don't want to join a club, for whatever reason, at least join the CTC. It sticks up for cyclists, including legal representation and has good 3rd party insurance.
cheadle hulme
Guru
- Location
- Llandudno
Lack of Rapha bidons.
Hilldodger
Guru
- Location
- sunny Leicester
A ceremonial cake knife.
Blott's Mate
New Member
- Location
- Suffolk
I turned up for the Sunday ride before joining mine & announced I wasn't a cyclist but needed to do long rides to cope with the L2P & was riding a too big old Peugeot I'd bought off a runner for 50quid. They made me feel totally welcome, didn't quiz me on how far & how fast I was capable of & said they'd keep an eye on me to make sure I didn't get left behind. I was always made to feel welcome & was encouraged. I am now a cyclist & an enthusiastic member & have a fab bike!
Dave5N
Über Member
- Location
- Outside The Little Nibble
Blott said:
Dave5N
Über Member
- Location
- Outside The Little Nibble
Noodley said:You still got it?
Yours, a tall cyclist looking for an old cheap Peugeot
Glad to hear you found a club suitable for you.
Thanks for the replies so far, I'll consider the opinions given and try to progress the matter.
You run the club now Noodley? Or startin' afresh?
I take back the purple suggestion. It's a bit too, well, imperial, for newbies....
