Should I join a club?

dinyull

I bought a 2010 Boardman Comp in the sales in Feb and have since racked up 500 miles, at first I was averaging about 15/16mph on my weekend 41 mile route.

Since the clocks have changed I've been doing a 19 mile route on tuesday's and friday's plus my usual 41 mile route @ weekends. I've noticed a big improvement since adding in the weekday rides and I'm thinking about joining a club.

I manage my 19 mile route in around 57mins (20mph ave) and my 41 mile route in around 2hr 10 (just under 19mph ave), routes are fairly flat - how would this stack up against club riders?

What kind of comitment would I be looking @? Like my Fri and Sat nights out still so usually roll out of bed when I want and play football a few times during the week - any input would be much appreciated, cheers.

MaxwellBygraves

Abilitywise you sound ready, not sure about the sat nights out/sunday morning club run though!!

CyclingBantam

Wot he sed ^^^

dinyull

Cheers. Yes the weekend runs are usually 'planned' around when I'm feeling human again.

What are the usual day's for club runs? I know this will change club to club - do they usually ride midweek and what's the etiquette for turning up? If you miss a few rides are you out etc?

As you can probably tell my social life rules over the bike atm!!!

springtide9

Think club runs usually are 9:00am or 9:30am start.

jibberjim

Dinyull wrote:

What are the usual day's for club runs? I know this will change club to club - do they usually ride midweek and what's the etiquette for turning up? If you miss a few rides are you out etc?

I think you might have a slightly wrong idea of the way club runs work - no-one really cares if you're there or not - they're happy for you to be there if you're a member, but the ride still happens if you miss it! They're just a group of people who like cycling together (and may race or TT together too) It's all because cycling is quite a bit more fun when there's a group. There may be a club somewhere that demands you turn up, but it's not too likely, most clubs will have lots of people turning up hung over on a weekend ride.

Generally club runs are weekend mornings. Often clubs will also have an evening run during the week, and clubs will generally have some way of organising rides between members outside the structure.

Va Va Boom

My advice would be practice climbing. Anyone can ride a good pace on the flat, it's the climbs that sort out the better riders. I thought I was of a decent ability a year ago and went out and got left for dead on the climbs.

See if your club has a B team & maybe try that. If you are thinking about it I do think you should try it, you have nothing to lose.

Personnally at the mo I prefer heading out with a couple of mates.

rick_chasey

Always join.

Worst thing that can happen is that you end up chewing your handlebars to stay on the back of the group > which is an excellent workout.

It's win win, unless they're w*nkers.

But given that I'm not part of a club right now, that's quite unlikely....

MikeWW

Well worth joining a club IMO
As others have said there is no rule that you need to turn up each week-its meant to be fun not an obligation
In our club it tends to be
Wed evening Chain gang
Fri evening Close circuit crit training
Sat 10 am Cafe ride
Sun 9 am Longer club ride

Your speed sounds fine to me and generally on the hills the group tends to split and reform at the top. Only exception is the chain gang-once you are off its find your own way home

Bar Shaker

Join a club for certain.

Do the weekend rides when you don't have a 3am bender, stay in bed and ride solo when you do.

If you are like me, you will find the rides so enjoyable that your nights out will become early finishes, so you don't miss the club ride. They needn't be exclusive pursuits.