When to join a club?
BruceyboyNotts
Posts: 43
Hi, I am at the point where I think joining a club is the next logical step in improving my fitness. I have a good base fitness and dont think I would struggle too much in being able to do 60 -80 mile runs (although that depends on the pace 
)
My question is, when would be a good time to join a club? My concern is that at this time of the year I imagine club riders are at their peak fitness. Would I be better joining over the winter when everyone is taking it a bit easier?
Also, any recommendations on clubs in the Nottingham area?
Many thanks
)My question is, when would be a good time to join a club? My concern is that at this time of the year I imagine club riders are at their peak fitness. Would I be better joining over the winter when everyone is taking it a bit easier?
Also, any recommendations on clubs in the Nottingham area?
Many thanks
0
Posts
It's a myth that the majority of riders in most clubs are lean racing whippets who will work you over and spit you out the back of the clubrun before you've left town. Some clubs are full of nothing but racing cyclists but the vast majority of clubs, in my experience, have a huge majority of non-racing members (or ex-racing members) who just like riding their bikes, often at quite a sedate pace. So any time is a good time to join most clubs.
Ruth
Or, when you have the money.
Don't think that's true of clubs here tbh, in fact quite the opposite. Most clubs charge next to nothing and some will offer good discounts on club clothing.
I think all a club will need from you is a little bit of time and effort in helping at events (if you want to.).
Think he means that when you join a club you see all the top gear that some members have and start spending
1. try a couple of sunday rides with various clubs get chatting and one of them are bound to ask you to join anyway if they're worth it
www.ogmorevalleywheelers.co.uk
10TT 24:36 25TT: 57:59 50TT: 2:08:11, 100TT: 4:30:05 12hr 204.... unfinished business
This is a good idea if there's numerous clubs in the local area. In Merseyside, we have access to Southport, Liverpool mercury and Ashurst as "large" clubs, and don't forget that some bike shops such as Harry Middleton's in Ormskirk have now started a club.
I think some clubs get a "bad" reputation because they're not as helpful to beginners, but really that's the only thing the "fast" clubs are "guilty" of in my view.
Yes, there are one or two people who really are arrogant b******s but on the flip side there's an awful lot of people who get into cycling, buy a cheap road bike to start them off, and won't wait six months to develop good fitness to join the likes of Ashurst. Instant gratification isn't everything; it's the ONLY thing. So DON'T blame all on the fast lads, people sometimes need to take a bit more responsibility for their own fitness levels. Sorry if that comes across as being snobbish but I've been on both the receiving and "dishing out" ends of punishment (just not as fast as the racing lads)
Some clubs, I think, are conceived with events to aim for in mind, e.g. time trials and triathlons at Ashurst. Personally that's what gets my juices flowing these days, it's like giving a piano student a competition or concert appearance to look forward to, it drives you forward. After all, why do we spend £1500 on a fast bike? To ride it FAST
Speaking of the Merseyside/Lancashire clubs, they all made me feel very welcome on the Kenny Hill Sportive last Sunday! I was the only one from my club there, and Liverpool Merc, Ashurst and Harry Middleton CC all did themselves proud, to name three. These events (and I'd include Lancashire Lanes in this category) are great for someone who HAS waited a while to build fitness up, because you can easily get on well with any of the club cohorts who take part on the day.
Now I've just got to think about which of Liverpool/Ormskirk/Ashurst I might want to switch to in the near future, anyone on these forums who is a member of the aforementioned clubs? You know where the PM button is
Ruth
I,m in MapperleyCC joined this year, best thing I,ve done.
Course it is, that's the point. Going out by yourself all the time is boring.
Pianoman, I think your post is bang on. I've been going out with a different club than the one I joined at first, because they do more social rides and not just very fast 'race training' rides. Yet even on the slower social run (around 17mph ave) there's people who turn up saying "I've not been on the bike for a month!" and cry on the back that we're going too fast. It's a social ride, but don't take the mick, do your bit!
Dboden - I actually live in Mapperley. Where and when do the runs usually go from? Do you think it would be ok to tag along on one to see how it goes?
Thanks
I go along on a sunday morning, as its more convenient for me and its the steadier ride, aimed at newcomers. Meet at Lowdham island. Go at 9.30. Usually anything between 50-60miles, with a coffee stop, really friendly bunch, prob avg 17-18mph, but nobody will ever get dropped on a sunday. Get urself down. cheers