Looking at joining a cycling club

dg74
dg74 Posts: 656
edited September 2011 in Road beginners
and narrowed it down to 2 - Tyneside Vagabonds and Gosforth Road (those from the North East area will have heard of them, the rest of you will probably be scratching your head).

Now, as I've been mulling this over for a while - quite a while infact - what should I be looking for when joining up to a club?

Any advice appreciated.

Ta.

Comments

  • mattward1979
    mattward1979 Posts: 692
    Most clubs allow you to ride along with them a couple of times before you decide whether to join them...

    If they don't, then its probably not a club you will want to join anyway!

    Give em a call and ask =)
    exercise.png
  • cornerblock
    cornerblock Posts: 3,228
    You should be looking for a friendly welcome first of all, also a club that has various rides to cater for all levels. You want to be able to find a group within the club that you are comfortable keeping pace with and not breathing out of your ar*e trying to keep up. Most good clubs will have beginners, intermediate and a faster group. As mattward1979 has said, most clubs allow you to ride with them as a non member to see if it's for you.
    I was the same as you, thought of joining for ages and I am so glad I did. Speed has improved, found some great routes and it helps get you out on the bike when you are meeting up with others, rather than going out on your own. Though I still do ride on my own when I feel like a lie in and not meeting up at 8.30am!

    Good luck.
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    Can't advise on a club - but definitley do it - it improves your cycling so much. Both clubs I have been in have been very welcoming - even though i am not the most gifted of cyclists
  • merak
    merak Posts: 323
    Cornerblock wrote:
    Most good clubs will have beginners, intermediate and a faster group. .
    This is worth noting for many people here. Lots of clubs have different speeds and distances of rides to cater for most abilities and tastes, yet we often see people writing that they don't think they are ready yet to join a club. Do it - not only is it more fun doing at least some of your rides with others, but you'll also be pushed a little, learn how to ride in a group, and pick up lots of tips and advice from the experienced riders in the club.
  • MikeWW
    MikeWW Posts: 723
    Depends what you want from the club really
    Have you thought about what you want and what is important?
    Also bear in mind clubs are run by volunteers so think about how you might contribute to the one you join
    www.lichfieldccc.org.uk

Categories