Slightly OT - roady content

Unknown

Hi guys I'm looking for a bit of advice. Either direct advice or if someone can point me to other areas on the net.

Basically I'm looking to enhance my overall cycling experience by including an element of the darkside - and I know there are guys on here that pedal both ways (oooer!)[:D][:D]

Now eventually I may go against my normal tendencies and join a club (social member only), but I have no idea what level a club rider should be at. A club beginner would normally be gauged against what? distance they can cover? speed or cadence they can maintain? time they can continuously ride?

What do you reckon would be the 'OK' parameters?

Any answers or pointers to other resources are gratefully received.

Thanks in advance

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I asked the girl if she could bring a sister for me. She did. Sister Maria Teresa. It was a very slow evening. We discussed the New Testament. We agreed that He was very well adjusted for an only child.

gary_fisher3

You'll probably find most road clubs offer several rides at different levels. You need to ask what they've got planned.

Pick a ride that you think you can cope with and try it out. Don't be too alarmed at the distances/speed, it's easier to go further and quicker in a group!

BTW most road clubs run training rides or chain gangs. The emphasis of these rides is more on training than being social. They will often be VERY quick, and nobody is going to wait for you if you can't keep up. This isn't the sort of ride you want to start off with!

In contrast to training rides most clubs run social or club rides. These are slower, often include a cafe stop; and slower riders will be waited for.

Unknown

Thanks GaryF. There are a couple of clubs near me and I've posed similar questions to them. So far no response.
I know of a local garden centre which appears to have a tea room which doubles as a watering hole for some club rides. Plenty of them going in and out about 14:00 on a sunday. Might be an idea to have a pop down.

Just want to know what sort of level I should be at, also how to assess the level, before considering trying to join in someone elses ride. I'd rather not have people waiting for me. .

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I asked the girl if she could bring a sister for me. She did. Sister Maria Teresa. It was a very slow evening. We discussed the New Testament. We agreed that He was very well adjusted for an only child.

Mad Splasherwmb

Also, you'll probably will find that on the social rides, no-one will mind if you never take your turn at the front, particularly if they know you're new. You'll be amazed how easily you can cover the ground with other people breaking wind (fnaar fnaar)

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gary_fisher3

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Just want to know what sort of level I should be at,<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Most club rides will be about 50ish miles at about 15mph. Although I must stress it can vary dramatically depending on the type of ride you pick / where the ride goes!

Unknown

Agree with all the above. My local club runs three types of ride:

1) A social ride - usually about 40 miles at around 15/16 miles per hour. Cake & tea stop included - group stops for punctures and slows if someone's struggling

2) Elite / Training rides - these are very quick, variable distance. No stops and if you puncture then you're on your own.

3) In between ride. Somewhere between 1) and 2). Not super fast though not slow. No cake stop - but the group will usually stop for punctures or strugglers.

Your local bike shop should be a good source of info on this (if they're any good anyway)

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Futureboy

Yep, i'd agree with what BigAl says.

Just turn up and go out with the group. You'll soon see if you "belong" with that parcticular club/group.

Going out with the fast group can be good though. You'll soon be able to gauge your fitness!