Jezman
Regular
- Location
- Nuthall, Nottingham
Hi everyone,
My first post on the forum so greetings to all and here we go.
For quite some time, I've been searching for a suitable club or group to join with in Nottingham. I ride MTB or road and generally like to head north to the hills of the Peaks, North East Derbyshire, South Yorkshire etc. I periodically check the local clubs but don't ever feel comfortable with what they seem to offer. The more road orientated clubs seem mainly to be about speed and the competitive side of things. Chain gangs, energy gels and 'best times' I have no interest in whatsoever. Notts CTC seemed a good bet once upon a time but their rides seem to mainly head to the flatter pastures of Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and South Notts these days. Alfreton CTC have some good rides to the Peaks but they're mainly on a Tuesday and to my lasting regret, I haven't retired just yet! Sheffield CTC would be great but the logistics of a train journey don't always make it that easy and I'm not a car owner.
So what does a feller do? Are there any local clubs, groups or collectives of like minded folks that want to do a reasonable distance, explore the back lanes (and bridleways) and basically enjoy the craic and have an enjoyable day out? I'm sure I'm being a bit quick in dismissing the majority of the clubs and I have no doubt many are very welcoming to new members, but nothing I'm seeing in rides lists seem to echo the kind of thing I'm after.
Although I enjoy pushing myself distance wise, cycling for me is the simple enjoyment of efficiently propelling oneself, feeling the wind on my face and drinking in the views and sights with tea, cake and exploring chucked in for good measure! Bulging eyeballs and being 'dropped off the back' don't figure much in my two wheeled philosophies. Am I asking too much?
Look forward to hearing anyone's input on the matter.
My first post on the forum so greetings to all and here we go.
For quite some time, I've been searching for a suitable club or group to join with in Nottingham. I ride MTB or road and generally like to head north to the hills of the Peaks, North East Derbyshire, South Yorkshire etc. I periodically check the local clubs but don't ever feel comfortable with what they seem to offer. The more road orientated clubs seem mainly to be about speed and the competitive side of things. Chain gangs, energy gels and 'best times' I have no interest in whatsoever. Notts CTC seemed a good bet once upon a time but their rides seem to mainly head to the flatter pastures of Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and South Notts these days. Alfreton CTC have some good rides to the Peaks but they're mainly on a Tuesday and to my lasting regret, I haven't retired just yet! Sheffield CTC would be great but the logistics of a train journey don't always make it that easy and I'm not a car owner.
So what does a feller do? Are there any local clubs, groups or collectives of like minded folks that want to do a reasonable distance, explore the back lanes (and bridleways) and basically enjoy the craic and have an enjoyable day out? I'm sure I'm being a bit quick in dismissing the majority of the clubs and I have no doubt many are very welcoming to new members, but nothing I'm seeing in rides lists seem to echo the kind of thing I'm after.
Although I enjoy pushing myself distance wise, cycling for me is the simple enjoyment of efficiently propelling oneself, feeling the wind on my face and drinking in the views and sights with tea, cake and exploring chucked in for good measure! Bulging eyeballs and being 'dropped off the back' don't figure much in my two wheeled philosophies. Am I asking too much?
Look forward to hearing anyone's input on the matter.