The best thing to do before joining a local club?

Lord Jimmy 7th

Basically what are the best things i can do to get ready to join a club, im a bit on the chubby side and my cycling isnt top notch, im not even sure how much i can manage in one ride and the longest i have done recently is far short of local club runs (im in colchester so if any local clubs are reading this then please reply)

Im thinking i just need to work on mileage and speds over this mileage. Is there anything else?

James

Anonymous

I think you've answered your own question!

Get used to some longer rides, but join in the meantime...

That's what I did and it worked...

furrag

Having looked at many local clubs, the short/newbie runs tend to be about 40 miles at an average speed of 15mph.

Don't underestimate the effect of drafting either. I've cycled behind a few groups and feel like an F1 driver in a slipstream. 8)

Aud Reekie MTB

I'm not in a club but will probably join one later in the year.

My understanding of my local club is that they have 3 or 4 rides at different standards each weekend. Just make sure you start on the easy one first, where peeps are more accepting of differing abilitiies. I've heard they can be a bit arsey if you join a tougher ride and aren't up to it!

Tom Butcher

I wouldn't even join up straight away - try before you buy - especially if there is more than one club to choose from.

roger_merriman

Most clubs if not all have a club run, so pop along and see what it's like.

do be clear that you are new etc.

Lillywhite

Aud Reekie MTB wrote:

I'm not in a club but will probably join one later in the year.

My understanding of my local club is that they have 3 or 4 rides at different standards each weekend. Just make sure you start on the easy one first, where peeps are more accepting of differing abilitiies. I've heard they can be a bit arsey if you join a tougher ride and aren't up to it!

Most cycling clubs require you to help out with other activities and marshal etc at their race promotions so be prepared and willing to do this otherwise they take a dim view of any cyclist who just joins to ride in club runs and time trials.

SBezza

Lillywhite wrote:

Aud Reekie MTB wrote:

I'm not in a club but will probably join one later in the year.

My understanding of my local club is that they have 3 or 4 rides at different standards each weekend. Just make sure you start on the easy one first, where peeps are more accepting of differing abilitiies. I've heard they can be a bit arsey if you join a tougher ride and aren't up to it!

Most cycling clubs require you to help out with other activities and marshal etc at their race promotions so be prepared and willing to do this otherwise they take a dim view of any cyclist who just joins to ride in club runs and time trials.

That is not true, if you race, then you maybe required to help marshall, but if you just join in on club runs, then you are unlikely to be expected to help with racing activities. Not that helping out is a major issue to be honest.

I won't be racing our evening events, so I will not marshall, no-one in the club takes a dim view. If you join a very small club, then this might be different, but that is due to the numbers of members. Our club has over 400 members, the vast majority who only do club runs, and never marshall or help with various club activities.


For the OP, just look at what clubs are in your area, go along to some of the clubs rides, and see if they are to your liking.

I started on clubs runs in our club, on a MTB, doing 30 miles at an average of 13/14 mph, I was lucky as our club has at least 7 runs, all starting from 10 mph average upwards.

Lillywhite

SBezza wrote:

That is not true, if you race, then you maybe required to help marshall, but if you just join in on club runs, then you are unlikely to be expected to help with racing activities. Not that helping out is a major issue to be honest.

I won't be racing our evening events, so I will not marshall, no-one in the club takes a dim view. If you join a very small club, then this might be different, but that is due to the numbers of members. Our club has over 400 members, the vast majority who only do club runs, and never marshall or help with various club activities.

I don't agree. I was a very active member for over 15 years including serving on the committee so I know what the general view is on established cycling clubs and it also applies to another couple of clubs in my area otherwise all the work falls on the few willing helpers.

The point I was making is that when you join a club even iif it just to ride on sunday club runs be willing and prepared tho help out when asked. It's called 'clubbing' together and makes the good clubs what they are.

Out of interest 400 members is very large. It's not that London Dynamo outfit is it?

SBezza

Lillywhite wrote:

Out of interest 400 members is very large. It's not that London Dynamo outfit is it?

Nope, San Fairy Ann CC based in Maidstone. I am on our committee, and there is no attitude that everyone has to do something, though with 400 members there wouldn't be enough jobs for everyone to do

We ask for marshalls in our promotions, but would never force someone to marshall, we actually encourage members of the club to ride in the club promotions, there is always people that prefer to help out however.

Lillywhite

SBezza wrote:

Nope, San Fairy Ann CC based in Maidstone. I am on our committee, and there is no attitude that everyone has to do something, though with 400 members there wouldn't be enough jobs for everyone to do

We ask for marshalls in our promotions, but would never force someone to marshall, we actually encourage members of the club to ride in the club promotions, there is always people that prefer to help out however.

Fair enough. You should remember, however, that it isn't the norm to have a cycling club with that large a membership so the circumstances of the San Fairy Ann CC may differ from the majority of other cycling clubs in the UK.

nferrar

I'd have to agree that although members don't get forced into marshalling/helping the club (not like they could be anyway...) members that don't help out aren't always viewed in the best light. After all helping out should be part of joining a club, not just to meet new people and do club events.

As for preparing to join then have a word with the club first about their easy runs and what's expected (distance & time) and confirm that no one's left behind if they're struggling. If what they say sounds too much then you need to get fitter first as it's not fair to ruin lots of other people's ride if you turn up only capable of doing 10mph for 20 miles on the flat and they have to keep waiting for you and nursing you around Also you should get familiar with hand signals used in bunches, although your first couple of rides you'll probably hang at that back where it's safer (assuming people aren't crashing in front of you...) you should get up to speed quickly on what you need to do when riding in a bunch (it can be intimidating at first but it really is very easy to learn the basic gestures and then it's mostly about confidence and not over-reacting to things).

I also agree with the post about tagging along on different club's rides first before joining one, some clubs are pretty focused (all fit lycra-louts wanting to race every time they sit on a bike or all old die-hard audax vets who don't get out of bed for less than a 200 mile ride) so they might not be the right fit for you.

Lillywhite

nferrar wrote:

I'd have to agree that although members don't get forced into marshalling/helping the club (not like they could be anyway...) members that don't help out aren't always viewed in the best light. After all helping out should be part of joining a club, not just to meet new people and do club events.

Couldn't agree more. As with any club/society the more an individual puts in, the more he/she gets out.

Bunneh

Yeah my local Swinger's club is just like that.

ilm_zero7

SBezza
seconded - when i am back in the UK I ride with San Fairy Ann - a great club, and I went through exactly the same angst process as the original thread author - its catch 22 you want to get fit enough so as not to embarrass yourself or be a pain for others - but get into some regular rides with a group and your speed will improve dramatically

for the record : my UK cycling is very hit and miss but when I turn up at SFA I am always made to feel welcome,

Spender45

If you are every up in the the Aberdeen area then you are all invited to an Ythan CC club run. Length and speed varies depending who turns up and how the weather is. We try to keep the club runs fairly informal. Training and speed stuff is left for the specific training runs.

As to what is expected from our club members, yes we would like everyone to take their turn at helping out at one or more of our events. "ask not what your club can do for you, but what you can do for your club". It is a pain trying to organise an event for the weekend when you still haven't got a full compliment of helpers and are getting phone calls from riders wantng late entries etc. Mind you i doesn't happen much up here because everyone seems willing to help out. We nearly had more helpers than riders at the first confined tt. mind you it was a bit chilly

rick_chasey

Bring a little food and money.


Be nice.


Job done.

rally200

Back to the OP - Colchester calling

if you're not sure about committing to a formal Club, you could pop in to 53-12 (Cowdray Centre) -and talk to them about their runs on Wednesday evenings 6pm, and Sunday 10am from the shop - its a very friendly group, guarunteed no elitism, and no-one ever gets left behind .

ilm_zero7

rally200 wrote:

Back to the OP - Colchester calling

if you're not sure about committing to a formal Club, you could pop in to 53-12 (Cowdray Centre) -and talk to them about their runs on Wednesday evenings 6pm, and Sunday 10am from the shop - its a very friendly group, guarunteed no elitism, and no-one ever gets left behind .

this just about sums it all up really - especially the last line. I think if you find a club with a different attitude to this, look for another. It is very apparent that most clubs will welcome new members openly and realistic regarding your inexperience, possibly a bit slower than most, but will improve through being with a group.

from the majority of responses it is good to see that the attitude of "turn up and try us out" is very common - so to the original author I hope the message is clear, that as soon as you feel your're up to it, do just that - you wont look back, and for me riding with a group beats solo training any day of the week

good luck!

Lord Jimmy 7th

ok guys thanks for the erplies, ill build up stamina and then try out a few groups in col then

solstice21

Lord Jimmy, went out on first club ride today. Spoke to someone I know in the club few weeks ago and was told anyone's welcome to join the sunday ride. Did Sudbury to Mistley, had a bite to eat then back. Total - 50 mile / ave just under 15mph.
Was youngest there by around a decade and was made to feel very welcome. Range of abilities , guys on top end bikes to a retired old boy on a single speed (who does regular s.s. Audaxes!)
Found riding in a pack a really good experience. Go do it! If you don't find anything local come down the road and join these guys for a day. http://www.cycleclubsudbury.com/

Bunneh

I once went with Bolton Clarion on the medium run and the people there were very friendly, even to the point of offering to rub some chamois cream into my sore legs... (she was joking...I think). Apparently Lancashire Road Club is quite good but my Dad wasn't too keen, saying it is very cliquish - and me being an extremely chatty fella would probably drive them mad!

I am seriously considering starting up a cycling club again, although I'm tempted to avoid the 'any age' variable. I'm thinking of going for 30+, average fitness cyclist club where pub visits are regular events, along with many hours complaining about anything we can think of. Something to ponder further I believe.

mr_poll

Bunneh wrote:

I am seriously considering starting up a cycling club again, although I'm tempted to avoid the 'any age' variable. I'm thinking of going for 30+, average fitness cyclist club where pub visits are regular events, along with many hours complaining about anything we can think of. Something to ponder further I believe.

That sounds like my kind of club!

MikeWW

Never had a proper road bike until last July although done a year of casual mountain biking before that. Started doing club rides less than a week after buying with the first one effectively being a closed road crit(didn't realise at the time) Was a bit shocked at how quick the guys were but very friendly. Joined the club and did some more track stuff, club runs etc and more recently chain gangs. Its been a great way to get fitter and faster in a relatively short space of time and at 47 not especially young.
The point really is that the more you ride with people that are a bit better than you then the more you will improve and the sooner you do it the better!

dwyerlavery

Don't Bother!

carl_p

dwyerlavery wrote:

Don't Bother!

What a cracking first post!

Lord Jimmy 7th

I agree, possibly a valid opinion (took 18konths to put up his first post tho?) but I think I will be going with the other opinions and over summer join a club

rally200

Carl_P wrote:

dwyerlavery wrote:

Don't Bother!

What a cracking first post!

Very bold - as Julian & Sandy might have said

Lancslad

dwyerlavery wrote:

Don't Bother!

What an important and informative post, I value your opinion greatly after that :roll:

lucan

I'm going to do my first club ride this Sunday. I've been thinking about it for years but each time I've spoken to "real cyclists", "ex-cyclists", etc. they've always been of the opinion that these rides are too fast for beginners and that I'd get dropped and abandoned. Naturally, that put me off!

But, I looked online again - Google is my (only?) friend - and found H Middleton CC in Ormskirk, where I live. I called in to the shop and spoke to the boss who explained the informal nature of the club setup. Three groups, A, B & C, with the C group being social riders. He tells me no-one ever gets left behind on these rides. They do have training rides where they do push and if you're dropped, you're dropped, but that's different and quite understandable.

I've spent a couple of weeks putting a few miles in so that I know I can do the distances the C group do and at close to the pace they will ride. How I'll cope with any hills is yet to be discovered.

Sunday will tell me if the friendly encouragement so far is matched on the day.

"If you don't give it a go, you'll never know"

danowat

Lucan wrote:

I'm going to do my first club ride this Sunday

Snap, me too, my main worry is being left behind, but time will tell 8)