How fit do you have to be?

diamondbacker

I'm looking at joining a cycling club in the near future but I am a little bit concerned as to whether I will be accepted if my fitness level is comparatively low to start with.

Has anyone joined from scratch and how long did it take you to get up to speed?

tmg

I wouldn't join a CC from a zero base, but if you have a CC in mind then give them a buzz and have a chat with them and see what they recommend.

If your not fit then all you'll do is get dropped, so solo rides for a while might be better option to get your fitness and average speed up.

macondo

I reckon best to have a chat with one of the members and gauge their level and yours. One option is cycle out with them and simply see how you do and turn back when you have had enough. It may be you'll need more ego strength than muscle strength.

Agree with above from a zero base not a good idea.

-corblimey-

Is that really what it's like with some clubs?

"New to cycling but really keen, can I join your club?"
"No, you're not good enough, come back when you can keep up."

I hope not, it's a sorry state of affairs if it is

Where do you live diamondbacker? You're welcome to join our club, you just need two wheels and a sense of humour

fuzzynavel

tmg wrote:

I wouldn't join a CC from a zero base, but if you have a CC in mind then give them a buzz and have a chat with them and see what they recommend.

If your not fit then all you'll do is get dropped, so solo rides for a while might be better option to get your fitness and average speed up.

If you get dropped then it will be a solo ride anyway so may as well start with the club and try to hang on a little longer each week.

surista

-corblimey- wrote:

Is that really what it's like with some clubs?

"New to cycling but really keen, can I join your club?"
"No, you're not good enough, come back when you can keep up."

I hope not, it's a sorry state of affairs if it is

Probably not all clubs, but one club that I contacted that shall rename nameless has been considerably less than friendly when I asked about joining as a relative newbie.

jaffajim0

surista wrote:

-corblimey- wrote:

Is that really what it's like with some clubs?

"New to cycling but really keen, can I join your club?"
"No, you're not good enough, come back when you can keep up."

I hope not, it's a sorry state of affairs if it is

Probably not all clubs, but one club that I contacted that shall rename nameless has been considerably less than friendly when I asked about joining as a relative newbie.

Why should it remain nameless???? NAME AND SHAME. That way other newbies would know to avoid them. Also, a bit of feedback for the club may be a good thing.

millymoose

I have to say that Redhill CC have been brilliant. They never drop anyone on the Newcomer or Intermediate A rides on a Saturday morning, and after 3 outings I have joined.

If your local club is good they will help you as much as they can

markos1963

Thing is how 'newbie' is 'newbie'? we have newbies at our club who have come from a running background and are up to long rides at reasonable pace very quickly. If someone is new to fitness/endurance then a bit of preparaty training would be advisable if only to make it more enjoyable for them and less stressfull(I was a bag of nerves on my first club ride)

-corblimey-

millymoose wrote:

I have to say that Redhill CC have been brilliant. They never drop anyone on the Newcomer or Intermediate A rides on a Saturday morning, and after 3 outings I have joined.

If your local club is good they will help you as much as they can

That's the way it should be.

You've only got to read this forum for a week or so and you'll see a similar theme appearing. New comers are never sure how they're ability compare or how they'll cope riding with others.

Joining a club for the first time is arguably the most critical step for a lot of people in progressing their cycling ability. Riding in a club should help build confidence, aid motivation, inspire, open avenues previously unavailable (e.g. track days), etc and it should be social / fun. Without making that first step all those things can be very difficult to achieve.

IMO clubs should make that step as simple and as un-intimidating as is possible, if they don't their missing a trick.

Diamondbacker, I think a call to your local club is the best way to go. If they're not what you're looking for try another club. Most of all don't let a bad response from one put you off the idea, keep trying.

surista

jaffajim0 wrote:

]Why should it remain nameless???? NAME AND SHAME. That way other newbies would know to avoid them. Also, a bit of feedback for the club may be a good thing.[/i][/b]

I'm giving the club a chance to redeem itself (i.e., at least respond to my emails).

And because there is always the remote chance that I committed some unbelievably embarrasing cycling faux pas.

bristolpete

Interesting one this.

I rode my first ride with Severn last week and was great, never got dropped despite my insistance on riding at the rear and was helped on some hills. However, one of the key riders advised me that the saturday social can depend on who is out and if Cat 1 riders appear then you are ****** !

But, naturally, I would say that you can only ride at your own pace and if others cyclists feel compelled to ride you into the ground then they are not worth riding with etc as much as their fitness dictates what they need to ride like.

Fitness wise, last year I was commuting 18 miles a day, moved in Sept so down to less than 6 and felt the fitness dropping so stepped up my social rides, distance and was able to ride 40 miles no worries before I thought about joining a club. It put me in good stead as I rode 4 hours solid last week and was told by the lads there that no one has ever done a maiden ride and stayed with the train so I felt good, but I did have the week off work beforehand which I think helped a lot.

Hope you find a nice club - pretty sure you will. All clubs need members to sustain being a club.