1st Club ride for a beginner - My Experiences

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Comments

  • Thelittlesthobo
    Thelittlesthobo Posts: 184
    Yep, just get out and do it.
  • Henri Le Conte
    Henri Le Conte Posts: 44
    jibberjim wrote:
    Henri Le Conte wrote:
    That is interesting to hear, it would appear I was lucky with my local club Kingston Wheelers as they seemed to be very chatty and welcoming, I went on the slower ride of 42 miles in the end and went faster than I have before and did a few more hills as well.

    Had you come on the KW ride I led though, you'd've got an experience much more similar to the OP. We ride hard, so it's single file and little scope for chatting, there will be chat at the tea stop, but even then you'd have to get involved in the conversation. Having the only topic of conversation be "the new guy" is pretty dull unfortunately so you generally talk about other stuff.

    In a small club I can imagine it not all surprising that you end up with the run being more like a training ride than a social ride, since that's the only way the stronger people can get a workout.

    Fair enough but chances are with KW he would have had a few rides to choose from, from reading the forums and having come along to a ride I felt there was a nice balance on the group I went with, I appreciate that may be different on the ride you lead but I have to say that if you did not make the effort to have a conversation with a new person then you don't sound like you are doing the KW any favours.

    I can only assume that is not how you meant to come across but it is hardly a flattering way to describe how you as an individual act within the Sunday club runs to a potential new member.
  • Benjamin Hall
    Benjamin Hall Posts: 608
    I suppose it depends on the club. My first club run experience (Bristol Road Club) was very sociable, there is always someone to chat too.
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  • Thelittlesthobo
    Thelittlesthobo Posts: 184
    I think something people need to remember is that some people like to concentrate on their ride. maybe they get more out of the scenery and the riding than they do with making friends.

    My brother used to say he goes on holiday to relax away from work etc. Why would he want to make friends with people on holiday......... Everyone is different.

    There are times when i just want to ride as well. I sometimes go out with my best mate riding and we dont speak for a couple of hours. I have done mtb rides where i have spent the whole day out following someones distant trail and never spoken once with them. Not because they are horrible but because they like it that way.

    Its not something i am uncomfortable with but its something you have to consider on SOMEONE ELSES RIDE.

    Now, about the riding. It was brilliant.

    42mph top speed without even peddaling
    16mph average over 70mls
    Lovely views
    Big steep hills
    Even a bit of off roading

    Highly recommended
  • carl_p
    carl_p Posts: 989
    I ride with the same club, VC Norwich , as Markos on page 1. We tend to ride head wind on the way out, cafe stop and then tail wind back to Norwich. I've been with them for about a year now and still can't remember the routes :lol:

    I've graduated from the "club run" to just about holding my own in the intermediate group, although I did get dropped big time a couple of weeks back. We try really hard not to let that happen in the slower group, but if you elect to go with a faster group than that is your choice and you might get dropped.

    We do chat along the way, but the loop back, with the wind behind us can get a bit quick. It takes all my effort to stay with the bunch and hold the wheel in front tbh and conversation tends to dwindle. If you are a newbie don't be afraid to shout "off the back", or "split" as it is surprisingly easy to forget what is going on behind sometimes.

    Give it a go, it's good fun and great being around like minded people.
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  • woodbloke
    woodbloke Posts: 35
    I've just joined the new club in Salisbury, but haven't yet been out for a ride, mainly on account of the fact I haven't got a bike yet :oops: but I did go to see them off on a club run the other week and they seem like a very friendly bunch...in fact, within ten minutes, one guy offered to loan me a bike. Can't be bad! - Rob
  • Thelittlesthobo
    Thelittlesthobo Posts: 184
    Hmmm, not sure i would be keen enough to turn up without a bike but fair play to you, your enthusiastic....
  • pedalrog
    pedalrog Posts: 633
    If your fellow riders can't be bothered to talk to you then they don't deserve your membership. Look for a friendly club, there are plenty of them. True, some riders are shy but a personal introduction from them breaks the ice with a new member who him or herself is probably making a big leap into the unknown.

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