Are CTCs good for rides

alanmcn1

Hi Guys

am lookin for some advice. I am back to cycling after a bit of a gap (nothing between 20 and 30). I have been doing sunday morning rides on my own, and also did mont ventoux this summer, so a reasonable level. Struggling to get myself up and out for a ride on my own now winter is hitting so was thinking of joining some group rides. Not really wanting to go for a club, as I had bad experiences before of elitism, and dare i say, snobbery in clubs i rode in when i was younger. Noticed Nottingham has a CTC with a good reputation. Anyone any experience of CTCs, would it be a good way of doing a decent paced ride on a sunday with fellow riders?

Ste_S

I guess it depends on what you're after. Social or training ride ?

Sorry to hear about your bad experiences with clubs, maybe things have changed now ? There's certainely no snobbery or elitism in the club I'm in.

alanmcn1

Hi

am after a bit of both i guess. I like the social aspect, but also want to work up a sweat, feel like i've done a good ride. Alot of the club thing is probably down to my lack of confidence in my own ability, but I'm not sure I could handle the competitive edge of a club (the one i was in in my youth was pretty good)

Ste_S

Most clubs will have an easy ride, ours is around 40-60 miles at around 16-18mph. It's not competitive (apart from the odd half-hearted attempt at the village '30' ) and we'll wait at the top of hills. Normally we'll have a cafe stop.

Most clubs should offer something like this, which I'm guessing is what you're after. Have a look here :-

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/clu/cluClubFinder.asp?club_cp=1&club_mode=0&club_id=&club_myclubs=No&club_goride=0&RefID=&RefType=&club_kw=&club_regions=East+Midlands&club_disc=All+Activities&crpp=20

and try contacting the ones near to you.