Anyone else similar to me?

[Psamathe]

OP not unusual from my perspective.

Years ago I was a member if the CTC, went to a few talks at local club but never on a geoup ride. But talks I found dull so stopped.

Rides I'd rather go where I want when I want at ghe speed I want (at any given moment). Rides from home I'll generally set out with no particular route, just make it up as I go along.

I do record all my rides originally using phone but then using GPS when I got one and log every ride.

 

[katiewlx]

nope definitely not that unusual.

never been a member of a club, always felt I wanted to, as I kind of feel I miss out on the social aspects of cycling as a hobby, but then Im not very sociable and Ive always found club riders a bit sort of cliquey, and up themselves, like if I pass them on a group ride,in a bunch or even if theyve split the group , theyll never wave back, plus they have all their weird kit rules, their group rides are impossibly early for normal people, and they run at a crazy pace...yeah remind me why being in a club is so great again...

I find Im happiest out riding by myself, I dont have to worry about anyone else then, Ive ridden a few times with friends who are into cycling, but we were all such a range of abilities,and most of them prefer jogging anyway to cycling, it actually wasnt that much fun a ride. We once signed upto do a sportive together, which no doubt would have been disastrous anyway, but as the day neared and after lots of cancelled training rides together, they all backed out one by one to injury or illness etc etc and I did it by myself in the end, which was probably best for all concerned.

not much of a cafe rider either, though most of my rides probably arent long enough for me to bother, though theres always the needle in haystack to actually find a decent one, that doesnt charge silly prices, and even if my rides are long enough Im always more interested in getting home than delaying things by stopping too long, equally a problem thats my own fault since Im a late riser, my rides are mostly afternoon/early evenings anyway, peak cafe stopping is a brunch thing imo. Ill stop if I need to grab food and havent taken enough with me, but on the whole Ill just keep riding.

I do Zwift just to keep fitness when I cant ride outside

and I do Strava just to track my miles, and records.

 

[Punkawallah]

‘Any club that would have me, I wouldn’t want to join’.

 

[Webbo2]

I’m amazed at peoples perception of how cliquey cycling clubs are when their experience of cycling clubs is just passing them on the road.😉

 

[a.twiddler]

From what has been posted about experiences of cycling clubs I consider myself to have been very lucky to have been a member of the club of which I'd been a member way back when. It encouraged me in my touring related interests. Do most clubs have a touring element nowadays? Or is it down to diehard individuals, or if they're very fortunate, their partner and kids too? Local club riders seem to have their regular routes round here, as the chain gangs hurtle past me sometimes while I'm wending my solitary, languid way.

Living near NCN 551 I do see cycle tourists, maybe more than I would otherwise, solo or in twos or threes, but none wearing any club colours. Perhaps they are members of something, but it's not obvious.

 

[esoxlucius]

I've never been a member of a club, but I do indeed pass club groups from time to time and sometimes a group will hurtle pass me.

You can always tell when they're coming though because it seems there's a competition in clubs to have the loudest free hub sound!

The serious ones do seem to have the shiniest sleakest bikes too, no doubt another competition going on between members.

But the thing that always grinds my gears about club riders is they ride side by side, occasionally three deep. Motorists must hate club riders for this practise.

 

[Hover Fly]

I was in a club in my youth, but got fed up with the "head down, arse up, every rides a time trial" attitude, finally snapped when I stopped on Gummers How to admire the view and got a telling off for it . Now it's less serious rides for me 'Bunny and a couple of
friends, talk of watts, speed, Strava like objects strictly banned, live for the moment.

 

[matticus]

But the thing that always grinds my gears about club riders is they ride side by side, occasionally three deep. Motorists must hate club riders for this practise.

That's the best bit!

(often in groups of ten or more - so that's _5_ deep !!!)

 

[Punkawallah]

I’m amazed at peoples perception of how cliquey cycling clubs are when their experience of cycling clubs is just passing them on the road.😉

Quote from Groucho Marx.

 

[Andy in Germany]

A lot of cyclists join clubs....not me, never been a clubbie and probably never will be.

A lot of cyclists have buddies who they go out with....not me, I've been riding alone for the whole of my cycling life.

And I think every cyclist has the obligatory cafe stop during their rides, at least on longer rides....not me. I can safely say I have never stopped for refreshments at any cafe on any journey in all the years I've been cycling. I might pop into a garage for top ups but that's it.

A lot of cyclists do this Zwift thing, it seems to be quite the craze....not me.

However, I may be turning the corner. Today I downloaded Strava for the very first time and went out on a very short "tester" ride. I've never done anything like that in all my years. I just have a basic cycling computer.

Most cyclists, if not all cyclists, do normal cyclist stuff, nothing wrong with that. There are lots of things I haven't done but you don't miss what you've never had, right?

I was wondering if there were any other funny cookies out there who, like me, just do your own thing.

I'm similar: there may be a club nearby but I have no idea.

I've cycled with friends and family on occasion but that's probably about 1% of my cycling. I ride with friends, rather than "Riding buddies"

I have occasionally stopped at cafes, but not that often.

What's a Zwift?

I've heard of Strava, does that count?

 

[Baldy]

What's a Zwift?

Medieval torture device.

 

[Binky]

I am a member of a cycling club but it's very much a social cycling club. Mix of roadies, e-bikes and MTBs and the Saturday club ride is a slow paced, hilly ride with a cafe stop. It's definitely not a head down arse up club. In fact most of the time it's a bit too sedate for even my modest cycling talent but I'm happy to go along for the chat and company. All other times I'm pretty much a solo rider with v occasional spin with a mate.

I find I like the idea of riding with a group or friends but often the reality can be more hassle than it's worth. You have to go at a time that suits, speed and route that suits etc. Occasionally it then gets competitive which at times I don't mind but sometimes I just want to ride and not worry about pace. I also like to listen to music and podcasts when I ride so again I wouldn't do that in company.

So, to sum I up I think I prefer to ride alone but having the option to go along with a group once a week is nice to have.

 

[Psamathe]

But the thing that always grinds my gears about club riders is they ride side by side, occasionally three deep. Motorists must hate club riders for this practise.

Bit off topic but when I'm driving, on most roads passing a lone cyclist means having a clear oncoming lane so easy to pull right across entirely into oncoming lane & give plenty of clearance.

If two side by side then same, no impact driving past. If 3 side by side ... As long as oncoming lane clear passing car can use it and cyclists safe.

And given invariably need/use entire oncoming lane I'd rather cyclists side by side and a lot less distance rear to front (2 side by side reduces distance they are taking along road a lot).

 

[Binky]

Bit off topic but when I'm driving, on most roads passing a lone cyclist means having a clear oncoming lane so easy to pull right across entirely into oncoming lane & give plenty of clearance.

If two side by side then same, no impact driving past. If 3 side by side ... As long as oncoming lane clear passing car can use it and cyclists safe.

And given invariably need/use entire oncoming lane I'd rather cyclists side by side and a lot less distance rear to front (2 side by side reduces distance they are taking along road a lot).

In the circumstance of 3 or more cyclists abreast, even if oncoming lane clear it's virtually impossible for a car to overtake and give at least 1.5m space.

 

[Saracenlad]

A lot of cyclists join clubs....not me, never been a clubbie and probably never will be.

A lot of cyclists have buddies who they go out with....not me, I've been riding alone for the whole of my cycling life.

And I think every cyclist has the obligatory cafe stop during their rides, at least on longer rides....not me. I can safely say I have never stopped for refreshments at any cafe on any journey in all the years I've been cycling. I might pop into a garage for top ups but that's it.

A lot of cyclists do this Zwift thing, it seems to be quite the craze....not me.

However, I may be turning the corner. Today I downloaded Strava for the very first time and went out on a very short "tester" ride. I've never done anything like that in all my years. I just have a basic cycling computer.

Most cyclists, if not all cyclists, do normal cyclist stuff, nothing wrong with that. There are lots of things I haven't done but you don't miss what you've never had, right?

I was wondering if there were any other funny cookies out there who, like me, just do your own thing.

You sound like me!!