Would Joining a Cycling Club be Right For Me?

[Illaveago]

It is something I was wondering about last night. I just did a quick bit of research last night on the web. The club in my town has orange, black and white coloured cycling kit. Not a colour scheme that looks particularly nice. The Corsham Club is blue and white , based on a Peacock and much prettier.Both clubs seemed to list grades of rides for different ranges of riders with speeds and distances. One club listed things one should take on a ride in case of emergencies. Pump, spare inner tubes, puncture outfit. I travel light with a mobile phone for use in emergencies!
There are some things which put me off from joining. I've seen a couple of riders wearing one clubs gear and he seemed to be not very friendly. Would they be a fussy lot when it comes to what type of bike I ride?
I go to a Mens Shed one day a week but find that they are all into woodwork whereas I have worked with sheet metal and cars. There aren't many with a similar background which I can chat to and have a laugh.
Joining a cycling club might not be for me so doing my own thing might be best ?

 

[rivers]

Pop along for a few of their rides to see if it's right for you. Most clubs let you join their club rides for a few weeks without signing up to see if it's a good fit

 

[matticus]

The club in my town has orange, black and white coloured cycling kit. Not a colour scheme that looks particularly nice. The Corsham Club is blue and white , based on a Peacock and much prettier

Sounds like you've answered all the questions that matter!

 

[wafter]

I think it's a shame there aren't more "casual" cycling clubs that focus more on inclusivity, just getting out and having a waft together to / through somewhere nice; rather than covering distance at speed.

I think this would be a lot more accessible and enjoyable for many including myself - cycling is an enormous part of my life but the thought of joining a typical cycling club leaves me cold.. while I can't help but think that hardcore roadies must make up a pretty small part of the overall cycling demographic.

 

[Illaveago]

I think it's a shame there aren't more "casual" cycling clubs that focus more on inclusivity, just getting out and having a waft together to / through somewhere nice; rather than covering distance at speed.

I think this would be a lot more accessible and enjoyable for many including myself - cycling is an enormous part of my life but the thought of joining a typical cycling club leaves me cold.. while I can't help but think that hardcore roadies must make up a pretty small part of the overall cycling demographic.

Yes. A small group of us go out for rides now and then and stop off for tea and cake. We are a bit like a Last of the Summer Wine group. A mixture of clothing, some in cycling gear the rest in casual. Different pace, I usually stay at the back to stick with the slower pace riders. A mixture of bikes and some not knowing how to use their gears properly. A bit of an odd bunch but we get along.

 

[Alex321]

While most cycling clubs do seem to have a club kit, most don't insist on you wearing or even buying that kit.

There are some things which put me off from joining. I've seen a couple of riders wearing one clubs gear and he seemed to be not very friendly. Would they be a fussy lot when it comes to what type of bike I ride

That depends very much on the individuals who are members. And if a few members are like that, it tends to be a bit self perpetuating because it will put off people who aren't. But until you try going obn a few rides with them, you really can't tell.

Most clubs will be happy for you to come along on a few rides as a trial before joining. If they aren't, that would be a pretty big red flag to me.

 

[DCLane]

Give it a try. The club I'm in has about 140 members; quite a few go off on their own rides in club kit and don't speak to others. That's their choice.

A decent club should have rides for all abilities, be welcoming and there should be a ride you can fit into if it's big enough. A British Cycling registered club covers you on their insurance for up to three rides, which should be enough to work out whether you're getting on with them. Most have a 'beginners' or 'introductory' type ride that's aimed at new members, although I do have to remind some of mine when we've guests who might not know where they're going.

However, from your posting above you may already be in a club without making it 'formal' . Now I'm wondering whether you're Compo, Cleggy, Foggy or Nora Batty (the later ones are irrelevant to me).

 

[Sharky]

Yes. A small group of us go out for rides now and then and stop off for tea and cake. We are a bit like a Last of the Summer Wine group. A mixture of clothing, some in cycling gear the rest in casual. Different pace, I usually stay at the back to stick with the slower pace riders. A mixture of bikes and some not knowing how to use their gears properly. A bit of an odd bunch but we get along.

It sounds like this is your "club". Doing exactly what you want.

Give yourselves a name and get registered with one of the cycling organisations and you'll start attracting new members. You'll soon have the club that fits your needs.

 

[cyberknight]

I have pretty much given up on club or group rides now, in fact I have gone from ride leader to solo rider as none of the clubs around me fit in to my free time.All of the people I used to ride with regularly have drifted apart and I have given up trying to find ride partners.I have a choice on Sunday of a club about 10 miles away that starts at 8 which is a bit early especially in winter or another club about 5 miles away that doesn't start till 9.15

 

[Oldhippy]

@wafter you have just come up with the perfect cycling club/ group. A potter around the countryside, no chasing times, just chat, photo stops, lunches.

 

[Profpointy]

I think it's a shame there aren't more "casual" cycling clubs that focus more on inclusivity, just getting out and having a waft together to / through somewhere nice; rather than covering distance at speed.

I think this would be a lot more accessible and enjoyable for many including myself - cycling is an enormous part of my life but the thought of joining a typical cycling club leaves me cold.. while I can't help but think that hardcore roadies must make up a pretty small part of the overall cycling demographic.

I went along to a local CTC ride and they were very friendly and welcoming. I was a bit nervous about the pace, so I went along to one of their slower rides and it really struck me how well they kept to the modest pace such that a few older (but fit) ladies on shopping type bikes kept up and were never seeming to be holding everyone back. It was also clear that a few of the group could have easily done twice the distance in half the time ... but they didn't as they'd chosen to pootle along for a social ride on that occasion. The same club also did fast and hell for leather rides on other days, so offered something for everyone. As I ended up working away for a few years I didn't properly join or go again, but they were a great group.

 

[wafter]

I went along to a local CTC ride and they were very friendly and welcoming. I was a bit nervous about the pace, so I went along to one of their slower rides and it really struck me how well they kept to the modest pace such that a few older (but fit) ladies on shopping type bikes kept up and were never seeming to be holding everyone back. It was also clear that a few of the group could have easily done twice the distance in half the time ... but they didn't as they'd chosen to pootle along for a social ride on that occasion. The same club also did fast and hell for leather rides on other days, so offered something for everyone. As I ended up working away for a few years I didn't properly join or go again, but they were a great group.

Nice to hear there are some about that cater for all tastes / abilities

 

[matticus]

Give it a try. The club I'm in has about 140 members; quite a few go off on their own rides in club kit and don't speak to others. That's their choice.

A decent club should have rides for all abilities, be welcoming and there should be a ride you can fit into if it's big enough.

Yes!!! And I think this is something that is getting forgotten; that big clubs used to - and still can - cater for all sorts, without needing to splinter into specialist cliques.

My club was very welcoming, but a little lacking at the "beginner" end until a few years ago (although I was contributing a lot to the slow-but-experienced side!); then a keen-but-slower rider (with no club background, but experienced in other sports clubs) joined, and immediately put on slower rides.
The whole club benefits;
- we get a "feeder" ride for new members,
- riders that are injured/sick/recovering get a ride,
- fast riders can take their slower husband out with a group.
- you get to ride with a wider mix of people. Improves club cohesion

It's total win-win!

 

[biggs682]

Just be careful if the ol' guy with a steel bike

 

[slow horse]

A small group of us go out for rides now and then and stop off for tea and cake. We are a bit like a Last of the Summer Wine group. A mixture of clothing, some in cycling gear the rest in casual. Different pace, I usually stay at the back to stick with the slower pace riders. A mixture of bikes and some not knowing how to use their gears properly. A bit of an odd bunch but we get along.

If there was a group like that near me I'd join in a second.