Give it to me straight.

1981.

I'm finally going to confess – for years being on the fringes of cycling, I'd like to give Road Riding a proper go.

There I've said it.

Really want to get into road riding, but have no idea of going about it, I have a couple of questions, and I would like honest to God straight answers – don't hold back I'd rather have the embarrassment now, than later.

1). I'm thinking of joining a club, not really to race but more for the discipline of riding every Sunday/get tips on techniques etc. – is this a good idea as a total Road newbie, the club websites says they're up for it, but I'm not 100% sure.

2). Bikes. I have two (not including the frame in the garage) - a hand-made Vitus 172 fixed wheel and a 1980's Gitanes minus front derailleur. If I turn up to the club in either of these, am I likely to be laughed out of the car-park?

3). If the answer to point 2. is Yes, what would be considered a minimum bike? Boardman, Bianchi, Ribble? Under £1000? Under £1500. I need to offset what I can sell to the wife without looking like "all the gear and no idea"

4). Kit, my stuff does me for my daily commute, but I prefer baggy shorts to lycra (although cycling shorts underneath) – again, a faux pas? Should I be looking at matching stuff only?

5). The club I want join states "Riders should be able to ride at least 30 miles in 2.5 hours on their own before joining this ride" – I have no idea if I can do this (seems a bit of a chicken and egg problem to be fair.) Is it annoying as shit to have complete newbie turn up and ruin everyone's Sunday?

At the moment, that's about it – but if anyone can think of any other things that as a newbie I should be aware of, please don't hesitate to add.

Thanks for any advice in advance.

Cheers,
1981

ps. I can change a tyre/spanner my bikes if it helps.

napoleond

Hi. Bikes will be fine. Get a front mech though.
Join the club. You'll be surprised how riding in a group makes the miles fly by.
Get some miles in until you can do the 30 miles in 2.5 hours. Join in with the club run.

If you like it then think about buying a new bike. You can get some 2nd hand crackers for 500 quid...

Don't worry about the baggy shorts although they do slow you down.

dg74

Nap D is right.

Get what is right for you. Don't worry about what you ride (example: first bike a Python RX3, laughed at during a local ride, done the 37 miler in 1h50sec or so. Wasn't funny to a couple of people who laughed at me at the beginning - berks).

Just get out and ride and enjoy it - the less elitism the better.

Peddle Up!

dg74 wrote:

done the 37 miler in 1h50sec or so..

That's very very fast. Unless you meant 50 mins. Which is still pretty fast.

Gizmodo

I haven't joined a club yet because I don't want to slow people down. When I can do the club's stated target, I'll think of joining in.

Don't worry about the bike and clothes, as long as you are comfortable and can achieve the 30 mile / 2.5 hour target. You don't mention how fit/unfit you are currently so we don't know if you need to work up to 30 miles. Before then, ride on your own and enjoy the experience to build up your bike fitness.

If you really don't want to ride alone, post on here a request for someone in your area to ride with you. I did and I now have a new found friend.

If after trying a few rides you decide you want a new bike, you have 2 choices, new or used. New start at £250 for a decent entry spec bike, you can get more for your money buying used but be careful, you've got to test ride any bike first and make sure it fits you.

Cleat Eastwood

hi 1981

I don't ride with a club but have been on a few test rides and ride much the same routes they ride and they don't mind me tagging along. This is what I've discovered in answer to your quizzes.

1. New riders are the lifeblood of a club, the amount of times i've been asked to join one!! Like you, I have been skeptical about what you learn group riding and I was pleasantly surprised to see the older members of the group actively directing the newbies where to slot in, when to up pace etc.

2. I've seen people on club runs with mountain bikes/hybrids. Again everyone in the club will have started on a cack bike and you're more likely to receive advice on how to save money on upgrades, or what is a better bike for you.

3. It's personal choice getting a bike. The one that you like the look of may not be the best for you, you need to try a few.

4. I've asked the same of the 3 clubs near me and to a man they've all said wear what you like. No one in the club wants to take money you haven't got just so you dress like everyone else.

5. Is it the amersham club. When I saw the proviso of doing an average of 12mph, my first thoughts were eff off. even though its doable the last thing a newb wants is the pressure of riding to a given speed. But in fairness to the club, they do say that they will ride to the pace of the slowest rider and IME that is the case. I like the fact that the club have 3 different rides for differing abilities, it does show an understanding of the worries of a newb. Seems a very welcoming club, why ask to join one of their test rides.

Good luck anyway, let us know which way you go either way.

RoadyForever

Most clubs have a slow/ social ride.

I don't think you will get laughed at, in fact I think you get more respect if you keep up using a worse bike.

You can get some very good deals second hand or pick up some good deals on the last of the 2011 bikes right now. I do recommend you try a few out (for a few miles, not just loops in a car park), there is quite a big difference in ride and feel.

I was hesitant on wearing and it took be a few years before I would wear the right clothes. Now I do, I wouldn't go back, they do make a big difference in comfort (still haven't shaved my legs though!).

I reckon you can maintain 12mph, but if you do find you can't keep you can say "sorry guys, I'm gonna call it a day" and turn round.

Zoomer37

Be careful when picking a club. Friend of mine got it wrong and the club turned out to be a cult. After every Sunday ride they would sit in a big circle and tip chicken blood over eachother whilst singing Take That songs.

1981.

Zoomer37 wrote:

Be careful when picking a club. Friend of mine got it wrong and the club turned out to be a cult. After every Sunday ride they would sit in a big circle and tip chicken blood over eachother whilst singing Take That songs.

Where do I sign-up? Sounds ace!

LeDomestiqueTours

I'd agree with the above - get out on a few rides with any local clubs and you will soon get a feeling of which will suit you best. Some are more racy whereas others are more chilled out.

Club riding also helps you discover new routes and meet new friends!

petemadoc

1) Go for a few rides on your own first before joining the club

2) I doubt anyone will laugh at your bike and as long as it works you'll be fine

3)If you get into road riding then think about a new bike at a later date

4)Go for a few solo rides first before buying more kit. If you start to enjoy it then get some lycra.

5)This is not a chicken and egg problem. Just plan a 30 mile route to do on your own one morning and see how long it takes

In conclusion . . . you don't need to be in a club to start riding a bike on the road. Get out on your own first and see if you enjoy it. Once you have a little more confidence then join the club. If they have a social ride then ask if you can join them for this one week before committing to a bigger ride.

StorckSpeed

Doing anything new can be daunting and different people will approach the problem in different ways.

Go out for a ride of around 20-30 miles and just enjoy it. Check your average speed at the end of the ride and you'll get an idea of where you are.
If you're a shy or quite type of person then just enjoy your riding over the next few months and see if you can improve your average time.
If your not shy then get in touch and get on wheel. Most clubs I know of let you tag along for 3 or 4 runs without you having to join. This way you get a chance to see if you get along with the club members and enjoy the experience.

No one will laugh at your bike. One of the best riders I've ever ridden with always turns up to the Sunday run on a 20year old Alves and saves his Cervelo for race days.
People turn up to rides wearing all sorts of kit and no-one cares as long as your comfortable in it.

Usually there's a fast and a social ride. If you join the social ride and get dropped, people will wait for you. At some point we've all taken part in our first Sunday run and for me the chat and banter are as much a part of the scene as the actual ride itself.

Every club needs new members and will do their best to welcome you, it's up to you to take the plunge and who knows it may open doors to a whole knew circle of friends.

rogerthecat

Things not to wear, Grey woolly socks, Jeans, full national kit or KOM jersey other than that what ever you fancy but make sure you have think skin, as some members may take a poke, but not meant to be offensive just well that’s the way of things.

Some clubs are great some not so, people are people and you get good and bad in everything, but shy bains get nee toys. I myself prefer not to ride with a group as I like the solitude and the option to stop and smell the flowers (so to speak) when I want to, but hey that’s me, with regards to the bike again what every you are comfortable with, and actually if you do a coffee stop, a thief is less likely to nick yours if it’s not as shiny as the others.

My 2 peneth worth

cyberknight

1981. wrote:

I'm finally going to confess – for years being on the fringes of cycling, I'd like to give Road Riding a proper go.

There I've said it.

Really want to get into road riding, but have no idea of going about it, I have a couple of questions, and I would like honest to God straight answers – don't hold back I'd rather have the embarrassment now, than later.

1). I'm thinking of joining a club, not really to race but more for the discipline of riding every Sunday/get tips on techniques etc. – is this a good idea as a total Road newbie, the club websites says they're up for it, but I'm not 100% sure.
Find a good club with a beginners group to help encourage you, mine has a "no drop " group to teach newer /slower riders

2). Bikes. I have two (not including the frame in the garage) - a hand-made Vitus 172 fixed wheel and a 1980's Gitanes minus front derailleur. If I turn up to the club in either of these, am I likely to be laughed out of the car-park?
Only if they are snobs , you might want to move onto a better bike later but you should be encouraged not laughed at .

3). If the answer to point 2. is Yes, what would be considered a minimum bike? Boardman, Bianchi, Ribble? Under £1000? Under £1500. I need to offset what I can sell to the wife without looking like "all the gear and no idea"

I have ridden club runs on my carrera virtuoso (£300 ) and managed fine , i have now bought a boardman comp (£800) on C2W but thats because a new sprog is due in jan and will have no money for a long time,I certainly kept up with the other club riders.As often said its not about the bike but the engine that drives it

4). Kit, my stuff does me for my daily commute, but I prefer baggy shorts to lycra (although cycling shorts underneath) – again, a faux pas? Should I be looking at matching stuff only?

Wear whats comfortable, if you attend a club regularly its nice to have a top etc but it depends on how the the particular club is with regards to kit


5). The club I want join states "Riders should be able to ride at least 30 miles in 2.5 hours on their own before joining this ride" – I have no idea if I can do this (seems a bit of a chicken and egg problem to be fair.) Is it annoying as shoot to have complete newbie turn up and ruin everyone's Sunday?

Go for it , group riding is a lot easier than a solo ride as you get a drafting effect , i did my 1st fast ride ride where we were blasting along at a pace i could not sustain on my own yet i could easily keep up with the group
At the moment, that's about it – but if anyone can think of any other things that as a newbie I should be aware of, please don't hesitate to add.

Thanks for any advice in advance.

Cheers,
1981

ps. I can change a tyre/spanner my bikes if it helps.

Anonymous

rogerthecat wrote:

Things not to wear, Grey woolly socks,

What about the specifically for cycling woolie boolies I just got from Wiggle (without the f'ing haribo, I might add).

Wrath Rob

coriordan wrote:

rogerthecat wrote:

Things not to wear, Grey woolly socks,

What about the specifically for cycling woolie boolies I just got from Wiggle (without the f'ing haribo, I might add).

They're back in stock? Off to order some....

BTW, got Haribo in the £3 light bracket parcel that arrived this morning :P

Anonymous

Ah. They are sold out. I bought mine a while ago (few weeks).

That'll teach you to get haribo. I hope your light falls off.

Anonymous

(I lie..they have them. I bought these ones: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/defeet-woolie-b ... inch-cuff/)

cougie

Definitely get a front mech for the bike. Wont cost much. Much easier to ride with a club than alone - so you will go faster and further with them.

For kit - check out Aldi - they have cycling kit in at the minute - its maybe not the most stylish - but excellent value for money, and all kit will get mucky at this time of year anyway.

You'll have a ball.

1981.

Thank you so much for all the tips, feedback and support.

Apologies I didn't get back to any of you sooner, but my wife and I had our third child last week and it all kicked-off a bit (the missus also pointed out that disappearing for a couple of hours every Sunday morning might not happen in the immediate future!) – so I'll have to time it right when I start going out.

Again, thank you for all your help. Will definitely post when I eventually get out. For the minute it'll be fleabay looking for front mechs.

Cheers,
1981

cyberknight

cougie wrote:

Definitely get a front mech for the bike. Wont cost much. Much easier to ride with a club than alone - so you will go faster and further with them.

For kit - check out Aldi - they have cycling kit in at the minute - its maybe not the most stylish - but excellent value for money, and all kit will get mucky at this time of year anyway.

You'll have a ball.

And Decathlon kit is very well priced and good value.

carl_p

Get a bit of mileage under your belt before you think about joining a club. Try riding at a faster pace than normal because the reality is that is what happens riding in a group.

So is the 30 mile test the total miles they ride, or a test that you can ride 30 miles non stop in 2.5 hours? The club I ride with typically have routes of 45 to 60 miles if you include cycling to the meeting point and home again, and that includes the "club ride" group.

napoleond

1981. wrote:

Thank you so much for all the tips, feedback and support.

Apologies I didn't get back to any of you sooner, but my wife and I had our third child last week and it all kicked-off a bit (the missus also pointed out that disappearing for a couple of hours every Sunday morning might not happen in the immediate future!) – so I'll have to time it right when I start going out.

Again, thank you for all your help. Will definitely post when I eventually get out. For the minute it'll be fleabay looking for front mechs.

Cheers,
1981

Hey, congrats on the baby!! I'm a dad of 3, it's freaking ACE!

1981.

NapoleonD wrote:

Hey, congrats on the baby!! I'm a dad of 3, it's freaking ACE!

Thanks, at the moment we're still in the no sleep phase ;-)