Is there a best time to join a club?

Snowy 70
Snowy 70 Posts: 15
edited September 2013 in Road beginners
Hi all,

I've been cycling alone for the best part of 6 months now & often see groups of roadies out on my journeys, I often think that it would be of great benefit to join a club but have some doubts, namely..

Self confidence - At the moment I am doing fairly hilly terrain ( South Downs area) 30 mile rides with my average speed currently being 15mph. I usually stop a couple of times to take on water, no more than a couple of minutes each time. My concern is that I won't be able to keep up with the group...

As I'm new to the sport I'm not really clear about what 'standard' you should be fitness wise, I'm fairly fit (for a 43 year old :P ), 5'8 173lbs,don't smoke or partake in the devils nectar :twisted: , I've played football for most of my life so am used to keeping a certain fitness level. (My knees and ankles may beg to differ here) :D

So, would I be better off cycling alone, training myself up to a better level of fitness or do clubs have a certain tolerance for beginners?

Comments

  • Mikey23
    Mikey23 Posts: 5,306
    Any club worth it's salt should be tolerant of beginners. If they aren't move on to another one that is... Their loss

    Most will let you try for a couple of sessions before you sign up. From the details you post, you should do fine
  • Bozman
    Bozman Posts: 2,518
    What happens if you're too fast for the middle group but too slow for the fast group?
  • nochekmate
    nochekmate Posts: 3,460
    A club of a decent size often have a number of groups going out and the speeds range accordingly for example the club that I go to on a Sunday usually sees three rides of differing standards:

    Slow group - 40+ miles @ approx 15mph

    Medium group - 50+ miles @ approx 16-18mph

    Fast group - 60 miles+ @ approx 20-21mph

    Start low and work up when appropriate. If you're too fast for the middle group but too slow for the fast group then keep at it and take the jump when you are ready - the worst that can happen is that you get dropped and that happens to everybody at some stage.
  • Thanks for the replies, I think I would always opt for the slow group and stay with the same pace, I'm fairy good on the flat but some of the hills I've encountered have me spinning like a madman, not the short sharp ones but the ones that seem to go on and on :D I've even had to stop half way up on a couple of occasions because my legs were burning!
  • lc1981
    lc1981 Posts: 820
    If you live in a hilly area, I doubt the fastest group will be doing 20-21 mph on a weekend club run. But regardless, as others have said, any decent club won't leave you for dead and there's only one way to find your level, and that's to try it. You'll find that you can ride a bit faster in a group than on your own, and it will improve your riding in the long run. Joining a club was the best thing I've ever done.
  • mpatts
    mpatts Posts: 1,010
    Between 9 and 10am.
    Insert bike here:
  • Bozman
    Bozman Posts: 2,518
    I generally ride alone but I got caught up in a club run for a few miles the other week, I could've just sat there and read a paper and smoked a pipe, you get dragged along and it was effortless, I was half tempted to stick with them.
  • mpatts wrote:
    Between 9 and 10am.
    :lol:

    @Bozman - The only drafting experience I get is from van drivers who like to overtake me close enough to knock me sideways :mrgreen:
  • nochekmate
    nochekmate Posts: 3,460
    lc1981 wrote:
    If you live in a hilly area, I doubt the fastest group will be doing 20-21 mph on a weekend club run. But regardless, as others have said, any decent club won't leave you for dead and there's only one way to find your level, and that's to try it. You'll find that you can ride a bit faster in a group than on your own, and it will improve your riding in the long run. Joining a club was the best thing I've ever done.

    Agree that averages of 20-21mph may not be typical of club runs in hilly areas but this is a typical speed of Mercia CC quickest group from Burton riding around the local area - wouldn't describe rides as 'hilly' but neither are they pan flat. Of course all club speeds will reflect the local topography.
  • Gizmodo
    Gizmodo Posts: 1,928
    Bozman wrote:
    What happens if you're too fast for the middle group but too slow for the fast group?
    Do what I do, ride on the front of the medium group. I like my club's middle or tempo group, but I'm at the stage of being one of the strongest in that group but I don't fancy the "fast" group. So I do more than my fair share on the front and I do domestique duties, going back to help people who are getting dropped. You can also do hill repeats if you're first to the top.

    To the OP - most clubs will allow you to try before you buy - go and ride as a guest on several local clubs before you choose. Cost = nothing. You might enjoy it, I did.
  • Been on a few club runs so far and it's definitely helped to push myself in terms of distance. They usually have a couple of refreshment stops where people either take on water or let some out! They always stop and regroup at the top and bottom of any significant climbs or descents.

    Most are pretty friendly. I'd go and give it a go. What have you got to lose? You might want to try a few, if there is more than 1 in the area
  • markos1963
    markos1963 Posts: 3,724
    Bozman wrote:
    What happens if you're too fast for the middle group but too slow for the fast group?

    Man up and ride with the fast group for as long as you can before dropping off back into a slower group or ride home alone.. Go each week until you find that you can further and further with them. Eventually you'll be riding in the middle of the pack comfortably. I did this method myself successfully.
  • nochekmate wrote:
    A club of a decent size often have a number of groups going out and the speeds range accordingly for example the club that I go to on a Sunday usually sees three rides of differing standards:

    Slow group - 40+ miles @ approx 15mph

    Medium group - 50+ miles @ approx 16-18mph

    Fast group - 60 miles+ @ approx 20-21mph

    Start low and work up when appropriate. If you're too fast for the middle group but too slow for the fast group then keep at it and take the jump when you are ready - the worst that can happen is that you get dropped and that happens to everybody at some stage.
    nochekmate wrote:
    lc1981 wrote:
    If you live in a hilly area, I doubt the fastest group will be doing 20-21 mph on a weekend club run. But regardless, as others have said, any decent club won't leave you for dead and there's only one way to find your level, and that's to try it. You'll find that you can ride a bit faster in a group than on your own, and it will improve your riding in the long run. Joining a club was the best thing I've ever done.

    Agree that averages of 20-21mph may not be typical of club runs in hilly areas but this is a typical speed of Mercia CC quickest group from Burton riding around the local area - wouldn't describe rides as 'hilly' but neither are they pan flat. Of course all club speeds will reflect the local topography.
    Very sound advice, the great thing about mercia cc is the club runs on a sunday all start from the same point so you can decide on the day what you feel your up to .i have been riding on the front of the medium group for ages and made the jump to the fast group yesterday and the aero effect of riding in a group allowed me to keep up untill i got the wrong end of a split due to traffic after a junction after the cake stop .After a couple of miles of hanging off the back i could not get back on so eased off to wait for another guy who was in the same situation so we rode home together .
    The medium and slow groups do have a no drop policy and i would assume most clubs have similar policies as in the past myself and other riders have stayed behind with riders with mechanicals etc , in fact about a month ago i was pushing a new guy up a hill near Melbourne .
    In short if you can get close to a clubs average then go for it as the draft effect , encouragement and help from other riders will keep you in the group.
    FCN 3/5/9
  • Bozman
    Bozman Posts: 2,518
    nochekmate wrote:
    A club of a decent size often have a number of groups going out and the speeds range accordingly for example the club that I go to on a Sunday usually sees three rides of differing standards:

    Slow group - 40+ miles @ approx 15mph

    Medium group - 50+ miles @ approx 16-18mph

    Fast group - 60 miles+ @ approx 20-21mph

    Start low and work up when appropriate. If you're too fast for the middle group but too slow for the fast group then keep at it and take the jump when you are ready - the worst that can happen is that you get dropped and that happens to everybody at some stage.
    nochekmate wrote:
    lc1981 wrote:
    If you live in a hilly area, I doubt the fastest group will be doing 20-21 mph on a weekend club run. But regardless, as others have said, any decent club won't leave you for dead and there's only one way to find your level, and that's to try it. You'll find that you can ride a bit faster in a group than on your own, and it will improve your riding in the long run. Joining a club was the best thing I've ever done.

    Agree that averages of 20-21mph may not be typical of club runs in hilly areas but this is a typical speed of Mercia CC quickest group from Burton riding around the local area - wouldn't describe rides as 'hilly' but neither are they pan flat. Of course all club speeds will reflect the local topography.
    Very sound advice, the great thing about mercia cc is the club runs on a sunday all start from the same point so you can decide on the day what you feel your up to .i have been riding on the front of the medium group for ages and made the jump to the fast group yesterday and the aero effect of riding in a group allowed me to keep up untill i got the wrong end of a split due to traffic after a junction after the cake stop .After a couple of miles of hanging off the back i could not get back on so eased off to wait for another guy who was in the same situation so we rode home together .
    The medium and slow groups do have a no drop policy and i would assume most clubs have similar policies as in the past myself and other riders have stayed behind with riders with mechanicals etc , in fact about a month ago i was pushing a new guy up a hill near Melbourne .
    In short if you can get close to a clubs average then go for it as the draft effect , encouragement and help from other riders will keep you in the group.

    Good information there, that's the very club that I was looking at but I seemed to be stuck between the two groups, at 45 I didn't really fancy that jump to the 21/22mph group but I don't fancy 16 mph and a cake stop.
    I might give that a go in the spring.
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    Buy a bike first, then join a club.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • Bozman wrote:
    Good information there, that's the very club that I was looking at but I seemed to be stuck between the two groups, at 45 I didn't really fancy that jump to the 21/22mph group but I don't fancy 16 mph and a cake stop.
    I might give that a go in the spring.
    If you do try the fast group (which is certainly worth doing if the next group is too slow for you), see if you can find out what the route is, if you don't know all the roads round you well - then you won't worry if you do drop off the back. If you're like me, you wouldn't want others hanging round to wait for you. I can remember my first club ride vividly ... and it was all fine, and they were all friendly.
  • nochekmate
    nochekmate Posts: 3,460
    To Bozman

    The medium group would be usually nearer 18mph rather than 16mph in my experience.

    Don't let age put you off - I'm 50 but can still take a trip out with the quick group (usually had a damn good work out by the time I get home mind). As somebody said earlier, if the medium group is too tame, just do a bit more work on the front rather than hiding at the back of the quicker group.

    Nothing wrong with a cake stop either - it tends to go somewhat ballistic after that though!
  • nochekmate wrote:
    To Bozman

    The medium group would be usually nearer 18mph rather than 16mph in my experience.

    Don't let age put you off - I'm 50 but can still take a trip out with the quick group (usually had a damn good work out by the time I get home mind). As somebody said earlier, if the medium group is too tame, just do a bit more work on the front rather than hiding at the back of the quicker group.

    Nothing wrong with a cake stop either - it tends to go somewhat ballistic after that though!
    I am 45 and as noche says the medium tends to be 18 mph ish depending on who turns up and the route, the cake stop on the fast group is shorter than the medium group as well(mind you i was nearly the last one in the queue) .
    I just need to get out with the club more as this year i have moved house, had health issues and 2 young kids so once every 3 weeks has been about my limit .
    Guest riders are more than welcome if you want to come and try a ride , membership is yearly paid in January and it is only erm £15 ish a year.
    FCN 3/5/9
  • Bozman
    Bozman Posts: 2,518
    nochekmate wrote:
    To Bozman

    The medium group would be usually nearer 18mph rather than 16mph in my experience.

    Don't let age put you off - I'm 50 but can still take a trip out with the quick group (usually had a damn good work out by the time I get home mind). As somebody said earlier, if the medium group is too tame, just do a bit more work on the front rather than hiding at the back of the quicker group.

    Nothing wrong with a cake stop either - it tends to go somewhat ballistic after that though!
    I am 45 and as noche says the medium tends to be 18 mph ish depending on who turns up and the route, the cake stop on the fast group is shorter than the medium group as well(mind you i was nearly the last one in the queue) .
    I just need to get out with the club more as this year i have moved house, had health issues and 2 young kids so once every 3 weeks has been about my limit .
    Guest riders are more than welcome if you want to come and try a ride , membership is yearly paid in January and it is only erm £15 ish a year.

    I've hijacked the original post but at least something positive has come from it, I'll wait until the spring and give it a go, I'm only five miles away and a few folk have told me to join so maybe it's time to join. I've got a feeling that a few go out on a Wednesday from Willington too, I usually get a free day during the week so I could try and make that a Wednesday. Cheers folks.
  • Is there a best time to join a club?

    Now. :D

    Seriously, our club slows its rides for the winter down to about 15mph. It then builds speed toward the start of the time trialling season. By joining now you build the speed and will be flying next summer. Join in the spring and it would be harder and you may be put off.

    Not sure if other clubs use this slower pace (long steady distance rides) during winter
  • nochekmate
    nochekmate Posts: 3,460
    edited September 2013
    Bozman wrote:
    nochekmate wrote:
    To Bozman

    The medium group would be usually nearer 18mph rather than 16mph in my experience.

    Don't let age put you off - I'm 50 but can still take a trip out with the quick group (usually had a damn good work out by the time I get home mind). As somebody said earlier, if the medium group is too tame, just do a bit more work on the front rather than hiding at the back of the quicker group.

    Nothing wrong with a cake stop either - it tends to go somewhat ballistic after that though!
    I am 45 and as noche says the medium tends to be 18 mph ish depending on who turns up and the route, the cake stop on the fast group is shorter than the medium group as well(mind you i was nearly the last one in the queue) .
    I just need to get out with the club more as this year i have moved house, had health issues and 2 young kids so once every 3 weeks has been about my limit .
    Guest riders are more than welcome if you want to come and try a ride , membership is yearly paid in January and it is only erm £15 ish a year.

    I've hijacked the original post but at least something positive has come from it, I'll wait until the spring and give it a go, I'm only five miles away and a few folk have told me to join so maybe it's time to join. I've got a feeling that a few go out on a Wednesday from Willington too, I usually get a free day during the week so I could try and make that a Wednesday. Cheers folks.

    Yes they do go out from Willington on a Wednesday - meet 9.30am at the double roundabout pub. Also some of the same guys go out from Willington on a Saturday at 9.15am meet by double roundabout pub (other side of road funnily enough - by bus stop). A significantly slower group usually leave 10 mins earlier or so.

    Both rides can be pretty sharp - expect to average 20mph+ usually. The link below is a typical workout - and includes 2 miles to the start of the ride and a slower 6 miles or so ride back from the cafe at Hatton - so probably 21mph+ in the group (I'm usually blowing to hang on up Newborough Hill (which is nothing outrageous by any means but at pace can be tough - cannot have been that bad that day as I was still in the group at the end!)

    http://www.strava.com/activities/76369453

    Don't wait until Spring unless you get some Winter mileage in :wink:

    To Ben above - not sure I've noticed any major slacking off of pace to be honest unless road conditions are bad :shock:
  • diplodicus wrote:
    Is there a best time to join a club?

    Now. :D

    Seriously, our club slows its rides for the winter down to about 15mph. It then builds speed toward the start of the time trialling season. By joining now you build the speed and will be flying next summer. Join in the spring and it would be harder and you may be put off.

    I am looking at prospective clubs in my area, I will need to get some kind of insurance it would seem before they accept my application. I've just come back from another 20 miler with my average speed being 15.5 mph, so luckily I'm not getting any slower just yet :lol: I am sure it would be quicker if I was in a group, it would certainly give me more incentive to keep up & of course I wouldn't be battling those lovely headwinds alone :D
  • When I joined our club I was advised to get British Cycling silver which gives you all the cover you need including race. The club gives new members a code which gets you a discount on the first year.
  • diplodicus wrote:
    When I joined our club I was advised to get British Cycling silver which gives you all the cover you need including race. The club gives new members a code which gets you a discount on the first year.

    Is it wise to have this kind of insurance regardless of being a club member?
  • As far as I am aware it is third party insurance, so will cover you for claims other people make against you. There are probably cheaper ways to do this, (house insurance? CTC? etc) but it was the one recommended by my club and easy to do.

    As to whether it is wise to have it if not a club member, like all insurance you are mitigating a risk. Do you think you may need it?
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    nochekmate wrote:
    Yes they do go out from Willington on a Wednesday - meet 9.30am at the double roundabout pub. Also some of the same guys go out from Willington on a Saturday at 9.00am meet by double roundabout pub (other side of road funnily enough - by bus stop). A significantly slower group usually leave 10 mins earlier or so.

    I may have to join you for a session or two in the near future.

    18 miles to my club run start point (Heather) now I have moved and I do not always get 6 hours spare anymore.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • nochekmate
    nochekmate Posts: 3,460
    smidsy wrote:
    nochekmate wrote:
    Yes they do go out from Willington on a Wednesday - meet 9.30am at the double roundabout pub. Also some of the same guys go out from Willington on a Saturday at 9.00am meet by double roundabout pub (other side of road funnily enough - by bus stop). A significantly slower group usually leave 10 mins earlier or so.

    I may have to join you for a session or two in the near future.

    18 miles to my club run start point (Heather) now I have moved and I do not always get 6 hours spare anymore.

    You have all the info you need above Smidsy! I can only get to these sessions in the holidays as I am usually at work on a Saturday. :evil: Fortunately, I get plenty of holidays. :D
  • nochekmate wrote:
    Bozman wrote:
    nochekmate wrote:
    To Bozman

    The medium group would be usually nearer 18mph rather than 16mph in my experience.

    Don't let age put you off - I'm 50 but can still take a trip out with the quick group (usually had a damn good work out by the time I get home mind). As somebody said earlier, if the medium group is too tame, just do a bit more work on the front rather than hiding at the back of the quicker group.

    Nothing wrong with a cake stop either - it tends to go somewhat ballistic after that though!
    I am 45 and as noche says the medium tends to be 18 mph ish depending on who turns up and the route, the cake stop on the fast group is shorter than the medium group as well(mind you i was nearly the last one in the queue) .
    I just need to get out with the club more as this year i have moved house, had health issues and 2 young kids so once every 3 weeks has been about my limit .
    Guest riders are more than welcome if you want to come and try a ride , membership is yearly paid in January and it is only erm £15 ish a year.

    I've hijacked the original post but at least something positive has come from it, I'll wait until the spring and give it a go, I'm only five miles away and a few folk have told me to join so maybe it's time to join. I've got a feeling that a few go out on a Wednesday from Willington too, I usually get a free day during the week so I could try and make that a Wednesday. Cheers folks.

    Yes they do go out from Willington on a Wednesday - meet 9.30am at the double roundabout pub. Also some of the same guys go out from Willington on a Saturday at 9.00am meet by double roundabout pub (other side of road funnily enough - by bus stop). A significantly slower group usually leave 10 mins earlier or so.

    Both rides can be pretty sharp - expect to average 20mph+ usually. The link below is a typical workout - and includes 2 miles to the start of the ride and a slower 6 miles or so ride back from the cafe at Hatton - so probably 21mph+ in the group (I'm usually blowing to hang on up Newborough Hill (which is nothing outrageous by any means but at pace can be tough - cannot have been that bad that day as I was still in the group at the end!)

    http://www.strava.com/activities/76369453

    Don't wait until Spring unless you get some Winter mileage in :wink:

    To Ben above - not sure I've noticed any major slacking off of pace to be honest unless road conditions are bad :shock:
    I am trying to work out who you are now :)
    FCN 3/5/9
  • nochekmate
    nochekmate Posts: 3,460
    ^^^^ Old git called Paul - usually out on either a Colnago C40 Mapei or Trek Madone 6.9 in Astana colours.

    Not been at Mercia Sunday rides for a few weeks now as I've been taking my youngest son (aged 15) on the easier Repton RC ride on a Sunday and doing a few triathlon events.
  • Snowy 70 wrote:
    Hi all,

    I've been cycling alone for the best part of 6 months now & often see groups of roadies out on my journeys, I often think that it would be of great benefit to join a club but have some doubts, namely..

    Self confidence - At the moment I am doing fairly hilly terrain ( South Downs area) 30 mile rides with my average speed currently being 15mph. I usually stop a couple of times to take on water, no more than a couple of minutes each time. My concern is that I won't be able to keep up with the group...

    As I'm new to the sport I'm not really clear about what 'standard' you should be fitness wise, I'm fairly fit (for a 43 year old :P ), 5'8 173lbs,don't smoke or partake in the devils nectar :twisted: , I've played football for most of my life so am used to keeping a certain fitness level. (My knees and ankles may beg to differ here) :D

    So, would I be better off cycling alone, training myself up to a better level of fitness or do clubs have a certain tolerance for beginners?

    All you need to know is here:

    http://www.sussexnomads.org.uk/index_fi ... bRuns.html

    Very very friendly bunch of guys and gals !!!!