Road clubs - entry criteria

Reane_Machine

Hi all,

I've been cycling for a few months doing a 10 mile round trip commute every weekday.I recently bought a road bike and am slowly increasing my mileage on it, loving every second.

I'm wanting to join a cycling club, not necessarily to race (although a year or two and a couple of stone lighter and I would consider it) but more for the social rides and the long distance runs. That and the motivational aspect of being part of a club is something I miss from my days as a rugby player.

Is there certain levels of fitness required to join? I'm in Sheffield so i'm not averse to hills, just wondering if i need to be at my best fitness level to do it? I'm only 23 and increasing my fitness is a goal anyway, should I just go for it and sign up?

Also any clubs recommended in Sheffield?

Thanks.

smidsy

Just go for it - worst that can happen is you get dropped which then gives you something to aim for.

Most clubs do a steady run and a fast run so just go in the steady one first and guage the level.

Not a Sheffield ite so no knowledge of your locals.

Any club worth its salt will ensure you are not left behind.

Wrath Rob

Down here, our club's expectation is that you can ride the shortest club run, 36 miles, at 15mph average. I went from similar to you (9 miles each way commute) to the club run. The first one left me so knackered that I had a 2 hour kip on the sofa when I got home, though in my defence I did ride 10 miles to the meet and then another 7 miles home

You'll soon adapt, especially if you do something middle distance mid-week too, e.g. extend your commute to a 20 mile ride.

cougie

Don't forget that its a hell of a lot easier to ride behind someone than it is by yourself in the wind.
Riding with a club is a great way to get to know the area - give it a go.

Monty Dog

Look on the British Cycling website to find local clubs - they have links to club websites so you should get a feel for what each has to offer. Contact the membership secretary and see how they respond. Some clubs are merely there as a social for like-minded people to get together and go for a ride, whereas others are more race-oriented and may be less receptive to beginners.

xscreamsuk

Where in Sheffield? There are a few clubs in the City and surroundings. My club based in Bolsover but we have several from Sheffield who ride with us. There's Sheff Rec, Rutland, Sheff Phoenix, Kiveton Park to name a few.

mcp73

xscreamsuk wrote:

Where in Sheffield? There are a few clubs in the City and surroundings. My club based in Bolsover but we have several from Sheffield who ride with us. There's Sheff Rec, Rutland, Sheff Phoenix, Kiveton Park to name a few.

http://sheffieldsportscc.co.uk/default.aspx

http://www.sheffrec-cc.org.uk/

http://www.rutland.cc/

http://www.sharrowcyclingclub.co.uk/

http://www.cyclingweakly.org.uk/

I know someof them have Facebook pages whereby you can contact them directly. I'm in Sheffield too, but haven't ridden with any of them yet. I hope to join the Sheffrec group on a Sunday run soon.

Reane_Machine

Thanks everyone, probably will jsut gove it a go.

Like someone said, worst that can happen is I get dropped early and have a target.

I'm in Hillsborough so I think SheffRecc is fairly close by. Their meeting's are just up the road, will pop down one week!

Thanks again.

Chriscommuter

Wrath Rob wrote:

Down here, our club's expectation is that you can ride the shortest club run, 36 miles, at 15mph average.

Would i know that Club?

Chris W

karlth

Wrath Rob wrote:

Down here, our club's expectation is that you can ride the shortest club run, 36 miles, at 15mph average. I went from similar to you (9 miles each way commute) to the club run. The first one left me so knackered that I had a 2 hour kip on the sofa when I got home, though in my defence I did ride 10 miles to the meet and then another 7 miles home

You'll soon adapt, especially if you do something middle distance mid-week too, e.g. extend your commute to a 20 mile ride.

How much climbing does that 36 miles have? Around here it could have a couple of thousand foot, which would make 15mph pretty darned impressive.

karlth

xscreamsuk wrote:

Where in Sheffield? There are a few clubs in the City and surroundings. My club based in Bolsover but we have several from Sheffield who ride with us. There's Sheff Rec, Rutland, Sheff Phoenix, Kiveton Park to name a few.

Would that be http://www.bolsoveranddistrictcyclingclub.org.uk/?

Boy #1's been doing some of the Go-Ride stuff with them over the last few days. Considered joining myself because they do seem to cater for the less athletic cyclist - e.g. me. Not slow, just not very fast.

xscreamsuk

karlth wrote:

xscreamsuk wrote:

Where in Sheffield? There are a few clubs in the City and surroundings. My club based in Bolsover but we have several from Sheffield who ride with us. There's Sheff Rec, Rutland, Sheff Phoenix, Kiveton Park to name a few.

Would that be http://www.bolsoveranddistrictcyclingclub.org.uk/?

Boy #1's been doing some of the Go-Ride stuff with them over the last few days. Considered joining myself because they do seem to cater for the less athletic cyclist - e.g. me. Not slow, just not very fast.

yep that's the one, been with them just over a year, there are many different rides every week catering for all. Thursday spiralling is probably the best for an intro.

karlth

xscreamsuk wrote:

karlth wrote:

xscreamsuk wrote:

Where in Sheffield? There are a few clubs in the City and surroundings. My club based in Bolsover but we have several from Sheffield who ride with us. There's Sheff Rec, Rutland, Sheff Phoenix, Kiveton Park to name a few.

Would that be http://www.bolsoveranddistrictcyclingclub.org.uk/?

Boy #1's been doing some of the Go-Ride stuff with them over the last few days. Considered joining myself because they do seem to cater for the less athletic cyclist - e.g. me. Not slow, just not very fast.

yep that's the one, been with them just over a year, there are many different rides every week catering for all. Thursday spiralling is probably the best for an intro.

My problem is I live out towards Chesterfield so I would start with a leg-breaking climb up to Bolsover centre for many rides...

xscreamsuk

Which is what I do every ride, I'm between Chez and Boza, many will drive over to the start points, but I use it as a warm up and climb up to Palterton. 7 miles at each end, good warm up and cool down.

Wrath Rob

Chriscommuter wrote:

Wrath Rob wrote:

Down here, our club's expectation is that you can ride the shortest club run, 36 miles, at 15mph average.

Would i know that Club?

Chris W

You should be over on the Commuting Chat forum, more your scene

karlth wrote:

How much climbing does that 36 miles have? Around here it could have a couple of thousand foot, which would make 15mph pretty darned impressive.

About 650m, according to Garmin, or around 1950ft. Though as said, its easier in a group and there's the motivation of a nice tea stop after the 2nd climb.