Joining a Club

paulcuthbert
paulcuthbert Posts: 1,016
edited August 2009 in Road beginners
Hi,

I'm currently considering joining a local cycling club. What can I expect?

Give me as many ideas as you want! :)

Thanks!

Comments

  • brownbosh
    brownbosh Posts: 602
    Anything from a frosty reception and being ignored to the warmest of welcomes. If there are a number in your area, why not do a club night and a club run on each before you decide who to join?
  • paulcuthbert
    paulcuthbert Posts: 1,016
    Haha, sounds great. But that's a good idea, thanks! Nice tip :)

    Anyone else?
  • hugo15
    hugo15 Posts: 1,101
    Have you talked the guys in your LBS? They will probably have an idea what the local clubs are like.
  • paulcuthbert
    paulcuthbert Posts: 1,016
    That is another good idea. And I'm sure they do- they sponsor the local cycling club! :)

    I am really looking forward to getting back to Scotland now!! :D
  • neilmacd
    neilmacd Posts: 128
    That is another good idea. And I'm sure they do- they sponsor the local cycling club! :)

    I am really looking forward to getting back to Scotland now!! :D

    Whereabouts in Scotlanda re you coming back to?

    There's a few good clubs around the Glasgow area and one or two where the frosty reception mentioned above is a speciality.
    Scott CR1 Team
    Bitsa training bike. Bitsa this Bitsa that.......
    I'd rather quit than buy from Halfords
  • bristolpete
    bristolpete Posts: 2,255
    I went up to a local club on the social ride about 8 weeks ago and it has been great. Most people have been superb. Turn out ranges from 7 to 20 people a week. However, on my first week, we did 4 hours and I rode with them all the way so of course people noted I was not a new rider, but always been a single rider. But for me, riding in a small group is superb and has brought my riding on leaps and bounds and have moved on from boom and bust riding that I had before. It also put my hill ability into perspective and as such I have been targeting hills in the week and feel like they are coming along nicely, but the fact is, I am not racing anyone other than myself and father time.

    Just last week I was told that it would be nice to be seen in club colours, to which I replied as and when, as and when but if he wanted to lend me £85.00 for the kit then I would happily wear it.

    Just note that some clubs attract single men/women whose lives are based around the club, its history and it status - the club and its riders are in effect the family and thats fair enough. I wish I could ride 100K everyday at the moment, I really do, but like all, I have so much else on its madness.

    Good luck on finding a club, I am sure you will do well, whoever you choose.
  • Just last week I was told that it would be nice to be seen in club colours, to which I replied as and when, as and when but if he wanted to lend me £85.00 for the kit then I would happily wear it.

    Just note that some clubs attract single men/women whose lives are based around the club, its history and it status - the club and its riders are in effect the family and thats fair enough. I wish I could ride 100K everyday at the moment, I really do, but like all, I have so much else on its madness.

    I understand their rationale for club colours given what you say about the ethos of the club, but surely it is not a pre-requisite to be part of the family. Do you feel that there is pressure to wear the kit, else you will not be fully accepted? How long can you participate in a plain strip?

    I am considering joining a club too but like you have limited time and money and therefor will not be what I think and how you have described as the typical club member. If I do join, I will be committed but will show it in a different way. I am certainly not a 'taker', I would want to add something back to the club be it help with organisation, committee or otherwise.

    If anyone is from a club in or around Farnham, Ash Vale, Guildford & Aldershot and thinks I will be happily accepted give me a shout :-)
    2009 Kona Zing - second ever racer and follows my 5 speed downshifters Raleigh Milk Race of 1987ish :-)
  • dilemna
    dilemna Posts: 2,187
    To the OP - go for it. I'm sure any half decent club will welcome you. Ride a few rides and see how you get on. If you like the pace and fit in then join. Most clubs are always seeking new blood. If you are a half decent cyclist take it easy at first, don't do too much but then again don't do too little either such as continually sucking wheels.
    Life is like a roll of toilet paper; long and useful, but always ends at the wrong moment. Anon.
    Think how stupid the average person is.......
    half of them are even more stupid than you first thought.
  • paulcuthbert
    paulcuthbert Posts: 1,016
    dilemna wrote:
    To the OP - go for it. I'm sure any half decent club will welcome you. Ride a few rides and see how you get on. If you like the pace and fit in then join. Most clubs are always seeking new blood. If you are a half decent cyclist take it easy at first, don't do too much but then again don't do too little either such as continually sucking wheels.

    Good advice, thanks :)
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    Probably dropped the first time out, in the middle of nowhere, ignored and have you and your bike sneered at. It gets better after that. :wink:
  • paulcuthbert
    paulcuthbert Posts: 1,016
    dmclite wrote:
    Probably dropped the first time out, in the middle of nowhere, ignored and have you and your bike sneered at. It gets better after that. :wink:

    If that happened, I'd probably take my business elsewhere!
  • PinkPedal
    PinkPedal Posts: 180
    Well, I went for my first ride with a club today and it was excellent :D This was the intro social ride rather than the hardcore Sunday clubrun. Noone was left behind and the guys were all really friendly!
  • KevinMcC
    KevinMcC Posts: 95
    In Paisley here, anyone know what club I would have seen doing a run thru the cycle path heading to Lochwinnoch red and blue jersey?
    Most of them gave a nod as they flew past in the opposite direction bar one guy who was riding way out to the side and gave me bugger all room so if you read this may your chain forever snap! You seen me a mile off, if you didn't then you need to be paying more attention!