Should I worry?

James Q

I have a couple of cycling clubs around where I live (Colchester) but I'm worried I wont get taken serious enough or welcomed because I only have a flat bar road bike and not a carbon drop bar thing of beauty. Now, am I being silly and not to worry or does this sort of thing happen? Would really like to gain a few riding partners/friends as currently ride on my own or occasionally with my wife but she has a mtb and is not too keen on road riding.

danlikesbikes

Don't know any of the clubs personally as not my neck of the woods.

However assume your going on a first ride with 1 or more of clubs before paying to join so you can see what they are like?

Would suggest that a club that treats new possible members in that way would not be one for you and perhaps would not be a good one to join?

Sure there are a few others locally to you on BR who might be able to give you a heads up on the local clubs though.

James Q

I will have a look to see if its possible to go and meet them etc before i comit to joining.

AlahDamIt

Why not send them an E-Mail, tell them your concerns and see how they respond. Most clubs worthy of joining will welcome new members. You will find nearly all members wont care what you ride.

James Q

Thats not a bad idea, will send them one now.

wishitwasallflat

Post on here which club it is - chances are someone will know them or off them.

chuckla

You're right to check! Some clubs are snobby about flat bars! A well known club in Cardiff were a bit snotty with me when I enquired about riding with them when I had a hybrid!

Didn't bother in the end and have stayed away from clubs since!

jp1970

Try cycling buddy website or sky rides...

RDB66

Hi James, check out our Club in my Sig below....we're probly one of the most friendly clubs you'll come across !!
You'd be welcome with open arms and you know why ! Because You ride a bike !

We've got 1or 2 members who live in Col and ride over for the club runs.

All the best.
Dicky.

danlikesbikes

James Q wrote:

I will have a look to see if its possible to go and meet them etc before i comit to joining.

Think most decent clubs will let you do a ride or two with them first before committing to joining.

Johnpsanderson

Being snobby about flat bars is daft anyway, 99% of a club run is spent on the hoods of drop bars anyway! I'm a member of VC Revolution, one of your local options, we have a ride every Sat morning. Pace is fairly steady, average about 17mph. Details on our club website www.vcrevolution.co.uk

MountainMonster

I never knew about cycling buddy, it looks very good.

James Q

Thanks for the replys people, i will look into the clubs that have been mentioned.