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NWLondoner
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I regularly ride on both Sat and Sun rides with DP. I've never been asked to help with events. Some people are dedicated to the club attend events and turn up regularly, others come along very rarely. I doubt every single member gets asked to help out at events. DP is a massive club, there are so many members, in fact at times it seems there are almost clubs within the club. There are a core of moderately paced riders who come on Saturdays who make up the slower and medium paced rides (there are usually 3 groups, not 2) and also do more tour paced rides on Syndays sometimes. Then there are a core of cat 1,2 and 3 racers who sometimes do Sundays, or organise their own rides on the forum of the DPNC Google page, or between themselves. Then there are others who only do the weekday chaingang rides. Sometimes on Saturdays there are 60 or 70 riders if it's a nice day, most of them aren't members and don't turn up that regularly. The sheer number of riders was one reason to split the Sat ride into 3 groups.Do not write below this line. Office use only.0
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Hi Ryan,
Another DP rider here. I know on the Club forums there is a comment about helping out with races which is more directly aimed at people who race. I think they would be asking people who did serious racing to help out at a race.
Dulwich do put on the "Ride of the Falling Leaves" and I vollunteered for it but they had so many people offering I ended up riding the sportive instead.
As Headhunter said its a big club with varying abilities so I wouldn't be concerned about not being able to help out.0 -
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It sounds like you'd benefit from the DPNC rides.
They're the earliest to set off from Crystal Palace (08:30) and ride a loop of around 100km through the North Downs.
The last one I went on averaged a shade over 26kph, although the ride is relatively informal, and people do break away to climb at their own pace, waiting for the rest at the summit.
Great banter, no-one gets dropped and the choice of route is always good.
They do recommend signing up to be a member if you enjoy the rides, but, as the others have said, there's no obligation to help at events and attend meetings if you do join.
There's a link on their website to the DPNC google group, definitely worth a look as one-off mid-week, bank holiday and evening rides often crop up.0 -
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It's just the same old faces who help do the marshalling. Very few of the members who've joined in the last couple of years seem to think that any requests for marshals are directed at them (whether they race or not), so it's always a bit of a headache for the organisers knowing whether there'll be enough marshals on the day. Actually, it's not a bad thing to do anyway if you have the day free, as you'll get a lift down (with your bike) and there's invariably a ride back from deepest Kent - making a change from the normal Toys Hill / Ide Hill circuit.
No one's going to hold a gun to your head to stand on a street corner in a SERRL race, but you might get more a sense of belonging to the club if you put something into it.0 -
NWLondoner wrote:Thats my plan.
Hope to tag along on the 9am ride this coming Saturday to get a feel for the club.mosfet wrote:It sounds like you'd benefit from the DPNC rides.
They're the earliest to set off from Crystal Palace (08:30) and ride a loop of around 100km through the North Downs.
The last one I went on averaged a shade over 26kph, although the ride is relatively informal, and people do break away to climb at their own pace, waiting for the rest at the summit.
Great banter, no-one gets dropped and the choice of route is always good.
They do recommend signing up to be a member if you enjoy the rides, but, as the others have said, there's no obligation to help at events and attend meetings if you do join.
There's a link on their website to the DPNC google group, definitely worth a look as one-off mid-week, bank holiday and evening rides often crop up.
The DPNC rides are not the same as the 9am Saturday rides. The Paragon website lists 2 official club rides - the 9am Saturday and the 9.30-45am Sunday but there are a host of other rides, I think the DPNC ride leaves at 8.30am or something but check the DPNC Google page and the DP website forum...Do not write below this line. Office use only.0 -
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I normally do the 9am rides and even through winter there was a decent turnout, even in the snow. They normally get three groups going, fast, medium and slow.0
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NWLondoner wrote:haggisinlondon wrote:I normally do the 9am rides and even through winter there was a decent turnout, even in the snow. They normally get three groups going, fast, medium and slow.
Hope to see you on saturday
I'll be the tall skinny fecker on a black planet x.
Have a good ride. I don't think I'll be there this weekend. Are you riding down all the way from NW London?Do not write below this line. Office use only.0 -
Which one?!I'll be the tall skinny fecker on a black planet x.
Another DP rider here. The item on the website was added this year to encourage people to help out since there always a terminal shortage of marshalls for races (and as a big club we should be able to contribute a lot to cycling in the area).
I really doubt you'll be expected to help out if you are only riding with us on occasional Saturday mornings (or in your first few months with the club) but assuming you make it a regular thing then any help you can give would be appreciated.
Step one though is to come along and see if you like the club.0 -
racingcondor wrote:
Which one?!I'll be the tall skinny fecker on a black planet x.
Another DP rider here. The item on the website was added this year to encourage people to help out since there always a terminal shortage of marshalls for races (and as a big club we should be able to contribute a lot to cycling in the area).
I really doubt you'll be expected to help out if you are only riding with us on occasional Saturday mornings (or in your first few months with the club) but assuming you make it a regular thing then any help you can give would be appreciated.
Step one though is to come along and see if you like the club.
That's true. There are a hell of a lot of "tall skinny feckers" on bikes of all brands on the Saturday rides, especially if it's a nice day. I'm a tall skinny fecker on a Focus Cayo. You may have to wear a pink Carnation or carry a copy of the Financial Times under your arm if we're going to find you...Do not write below this line. Office use only.0 -
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I was looking at joining Paragon. After how many rides do people normally buy the kit? At ninety quid for a pair of shorts and a jersey I want to be sure before I shell out..Commuter: Taped-up black Trek 2200 (FCN 5)
Shiny bike: Pinarello FP2 (FCN 3)0 -
I suppose if you buy the kit right away that might encourage you to ride more frequently with the club than otherwise & so get your money's worth, wouldn't it?
On the other hand, unless you are intending to race, wearing kit isn't usually obligatory.
I would turn up and go on a few of the weekend rides before investing, to see if the time/route/people are what you are looking for.0 -
0scar wrote:I was looking at joining Paragon. After how many rides do people normally buy the kit? At ninety quid for a pair of shorts and a jersey I want to be sure before I shell out..
I've been riding with them for a couple of years and have never bought the kit. You don't have to! I don't bother because you tend to get a bad name at the club if you do something naughty (like jump a red) in club kit as people complain to the club.
How did the ride go on Sat NWLondoner?Do not write below this line. Office use only.0 -
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Due to personal circumstances this is not something that I would be able do.
Wow.
Not one or two half-days in 365? Good on you! After all, you've got personal circumstances, right? See, I don't have any personal circumstances so I'm able to devote myself to your Dulwich Paragon experience every waking hour.
Some great comments on this post, nothing like the spirit of human kindness!I've never been asked to help with events.
Um , yeah, actually you have. Every time you renew.helping out with races which is more directly aimed at people who race.
Nope. Everyone in the club helps out. Sort of the idea of a club, I guess.Depending on my work shifts this week i may try to pop along on Saturday to give it a go.
Really? I feel genuinely honoured. We'll try to do our best for you, organise the ride well, offer great kit (at about 4% markup, last time I checked) and a whole gamut of social/training/sportive/race programmes.
If there's anything else you'd like us to look at, apart from the draconian membership responsibilities, do please let us know.
Or then again, don't bother. In fact, better yet, don't bother turning up on Saturday.0 -
Might I recommend the London Dynamo...0
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reimomo wrote:Due to personal circumstances this is not something that I would be able do.
Wow.
Not one or two half-days in 365? Good on you! After all, you've got personal circumstances, right? See, I don't have any personal circumstances so I'm able to devote myself to your Dulwich Paragon experience every waking hour.
Some great comments on this post, nothing like the spirit of human kindness!I've never been asked to help with events.
Um , yeah, actually you have. Every time you renew.helping out with races which is more directly aimed at people who race.
Nope. Everyone in the club helps out. Sort of the idea of a club, I guess.Depending on my work shifts this week i may try to pop along on Saturday to give it a go.
Really? I feel genuinely honoured. We'll try to do our best for you, organise the ride well, offer great kit (at about 4% markup, last time I checked) and a whole gamut of social/training/sportive/race programmes.
If there's anything else you'd like us to look at, apart from the draconian membership responsibilities, do please let us know.
Or then again, don't bother. In fact, better yet, don't bother turning up on Saturday.
God you're a bit of an agressive @rse aren't you? Thank god most of the club isn't made up of people like you!Do not write below this line. Office use only.0 -
NWLondoner wrote:Headhuunter wrote:0scar wrote:I was looking at joining Paragon. After how many rides do people normally buy the kit? At ninety quid for a pair of shorts and a jersey I want to be sure before I shell out..
I've been riding with them for a couple of years and have never bought the kit. You don't have to! I don't bother because you tend to get a bad name at the club if you do something naughty (like jump a red) in club kit as people complain to the club.
How did the ride go on Sat NWLondoner?
Sadly it didn't :x
I made it to Palace (early)but tweaked something in my left calf en route. I waited a while near by to see if it would settle and it seemed like it did. Just as i pulled up outside the cafe i could feel it again. I therefore thought better of tagging along as no way would i have made it and would not want to hold up anyone else. So i just carried on by and made my way home.
Hope to give it a try maybe in a couple of weeks.
I'm doing the Saturday ride this weekend. Perhaps see you there if you make it....Do not write below this line. Office use only.0 -
If you feel so strongly about getting a contribution, being a supercilious @rse isn't the best way to go about it
Supercilious maybe but at least some of us pull our weight when it comes to the smooth running of such a "massive" club.
Here's a suggestion:
www.ctc.org.uk0 -
I'm not sure what ethos some of you guys have, but you need to think about what being in a club means.
You will find that most cycling clubs are run on a voluntary basis. If those folks who help run the club had the same attitude as some of the contributors on this thread there would be no club for you to join!
In case you don't read the emails, forum posts and the joining details at Dulwich Paragon, please understand that all members are required to help out in some way and put something back into cycling.
The club does not welcome people who just turn up and ride without ever bothering to help in any of the activities that has made Dulwich Paragon an increasingly attractive club in the last few years.
If that doesn't agree with you, you will just have to carry out your cycling activities elsewhere!0 -
airegin wrote:I'm not sure what ethos some of you guys have, but you need to think about what being in a club means.
You will find that most cycling clubs are run on a voluntary basis. If those folks who help run the club had the same attitude as some of the contributors on this thread there would be no club for you to join!
In case you don't read the emails, forum posts and the joining details at Dulwich Paragon, please understand that all members are required to help out in some way and put something back into cycling.
The club does not welcome people who just turn up and ride without ever bothering to help in any of the activities that has made Dulwich Paragon an increasingly attractive club in the last few years.
If that doesn't agree with you, you will just have to carry out your cycling activities elsewhere!
I can see that but I don't see how putting frankly aggressive pressure on a potential member (not a paid up, regular attendee) helps at all. Also as you point out, DP is a "massive" club, many of its members pay their dues and turn up to the occasional Saturday club ride, possibly once a month or even less frequently. They have no interest in racing, sportives or other events. Why should people like this be coerced into mashalling at races they have no interest in? There are p-l-e-n-t-y of people who ride with DP who race frequently who would be better targets.Do not write below this line. Office use only.0 -
They have no interest in racing, sportives or other events. Why should people like this be coerced into mashalling at races they have no interest in?
But isn't that like having a gym membership that you never make use of except as somewhere to have a coffee? In that context the CTC comment makes more sense, since CTC or LCC rides are social, non-competitive and usually free events (except maybe a group discount train fare to somewhere nice to ride).
Perhaps try Southwark Cyclists — http://southwarkcyclists.org.uk/calendar
or CycleChat forum — http://www.cyclechat.net/forums/forumdi ... 59252&f=220 -
Le Commentateur wrote:They have no interest in racing, sportives or other events. Why should people like this be coerced into mashalling at races they have no interest in?
But isn't that like having a gym membership that you never use except for somewhere to have a coffee? In that context the CTC comment makes more sense, since CTC or LCC rides are social, non-competitive and usually free events (except maybe a group discount train fare to somewhere nice to ride).
Perhaps try Southwark Cyclists — http://southwarkcyclists.org.uk/calendar
or CycleChat forum — http://www.cyclechat.net/forums/forumdi ... 59252&f=22
So basically you're saying that if you don't race you're not welcome at Dulwich Paragon? As I say, it's a damn good thing none of you run the club! Plenty of people ride with DP but never, ever race. I enjoy fast rides with race level cyclists, just because I don't race doesn't mean I want to pootle along on a touring ride! Jeez!Do not write below this line. Office use only.0 -
There are p-l-e-n-t-y of people who ride with DP who race frequently who would be better targets.
Why? They already lend a hand when it comes to the running of the club and it's promotions e.g. Crystal Palace, SERRL and Surrey League Races, that also benefit riders from other clubs from across the South East.0
