CTC membership

cyclistbruce
cyclistbruce Posts: 88
edited April 2009 in Road beginners
Just thinking about joining the CTC for access to routes and training groups. Just wondered if anyone else is a member and is it worthwhile? Or is it mainly aimed at tourers and audax?

Comments

  • morrisje
    morrisje Posts: 507
    I joined a few years ago. They send you a magazine that is more directed at the touring, bearded type of rider. However the aspect of membership I like is the 3rd party insurance and legal representation, you never know when it may come in handy. Also it is a worthwhile organisation that looks after cyclists interests.
  • Mark_K
    Mark_K Posts: 666
    +1 i found exactly the same imo, but like you say the insurance is a very good thing to have and they do work hard for cycling !
    Gary Fisher Superfly 100
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  • Diogenes
    Diogenes Posts: 1,628
    morrisje wrote:
    I joined a few years ago. They send you a magazine that is more directed at the touring, bearded type of rider. However the aspect of membership I like is the 3rd party insurance and legal representation, you never know when it may come in handy. Also it is a worthwhile organisation that looks after cyclists interests.

    Oh damn, I did not know the beard was compulsory, better break out my sandals and pipe as well :wink:

    The real benefit is finding people who know every back road and nice route in your area. Our Sunday rides average 70 to 100 miles in the summer and get to some of the finest spots in North Yorkshire. Accompany this with a few leg breakers in the North Yorks moors and it makes for good riding.

    The mag is okay, not particularly well written but covers those aspects of cycle touring that many of the monthlies miss.

    D :D
  • hazychris
    hazychris Posts: 202
    As a CTC member and an active CTC group member, I would offer the following:

    * CTC has a good insurance offering
    * CTC is aimed more at the recreational cyclist than the competitive cyclist
    * Find out what your local CTC group does in terms of activities, they vary quite a bit, and tend to have quite wide remits. Join in for a few rides and see if they offer what you're looking for - there's no obligation to join for the first few rides.

    * Beards and sandals are not really compulsory - in our club, I can think of two sandal wearers and three beard wearers (and we have around 70 active riders), a few people have panniers (but not that many) and we have a wide mix of race bikes, MTBs, folding bikes, touring bikes, the odd recumbent, a mix of both genders, a mix of all ages and a mix from potterers to racers.

    If you want "training" you might be better off with a club that's more race-oriented, but if you want to just ride with a bunch of like-minded cyclist, then the CTC might be just what you're looking for.

    Whereabouts are you based?
  • cyclistbruce
    cyclistbruce Posts: 88
    I'm Poole based so am just looking for training rides for Sportives and general fitness. Might pop along to one of the Saturday 60s...

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