Do clubs mind if you can't ride with them regularly?

[Globalti]

From my experience of cycling clubs there are a few members who only actually turn up to heckle at AGMs. The rest of the year they won't be seen.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Wow. Dropping people at the start just because they had a mechanical or puncture on the way there. Brutal.

Reminds me of this 'Randle-sim'
http://www.planetx.co.uk/news/event...s-hard-all-who-got-there-and-all-who-got-back
(highlighted below first picture - that Worsbrough shop is now, sadly, closed)

Yes but joining a Clarion club is joining a wider thing than just a club.

Very true indeed, believe it was (partially) originally a way of spreading the Socialist message to a large audience

 

[Welsh wheels]

To me club runs are riding with your mates . If you cant make it they know you are gutted that you have to deal with life rather than ride your bike

That's the thing, I want to be able to go regularly enough to actually get to know people there.

 

[Blue Hills]

The lcc groups I ride with (and I used to lead lots of rides for one) mainly operate on the basis that you just turn up. That is the joy of the things - you never quite know who will turn up but there is a regular pool. One of the groups I know appears to have veered towards some sort of booking/pre-approval process - entirely against the spirit of the thing. I swear I saw a notice from one sliver of this group saying that folk who "registered" and then decided not to come but didn't sent a valid reason before a certain window before the ride would be deleted from the list. Apparently for using up screen photons or something. Bonkers and twattish. I wouldn't ride with any group playing those games. Leave the children and inadequates to themselves.

 

[bigjim]

I ride with two clubs. At times I am missing for months usually due to the weather but also due to family commitments. I have a large busy family including a bevy of grandkids, so there is always something going on. When I turn up I get the usual P taking out of me. But that's fine by me. I can give it back and part of the fun. Both clubs have their diehards who always turn out whatever. These guys [it is always guys] are older single blokes, live on their own and I suspect the club run is a big part of their social calendar. But no there is no problem.

 

[Cycleops]

I like Groucho Marx take on clubs:

"I sent the club a wire stating, PLEASE ACCEPT MY RESIGNATION. I DON'T WANT TO BELONG TO ANY CLUB THAT WILL ACCEPT ME AS A MEMBER."

 

[Dogtrousers]

They pretend not to mind. But they say really bad things about you when you're not there.

 

[rivers]

Sometimes, I make it out with my club on a weekly basis. Sometimes, once a month. Sometimes life gets in the way and it might be 6-8 weeks before I make it out on a club run. They're a good bunch, and don't mind. But I guess when 120+ people turn up for a club run, no one is really going to notice if you're missing.

 

[bigjim]

Sometimes, I make it out with my club on a weekly basis. Sometimes, once a month. Sometimes life gets in the way and it might be 6-8 weeks before I make it out on a club run. They're a good bunch, and don't mind. But I guess when 120+ people turn up for a club run, no one is really going to notice if you're missing.

Cafe stop must take a while.

 

[rivers]

Cafe stop must take a while.

Weekly club run is about 30 miles, and we meet back at a local cricket club. Several people do am extended or early lap, with a longer run at least one Sunday a month and various other rides happenjng throughout the month

 

[cyberknight]

Missed this week as i am skint as i bought a new car the same month as the old one was paid off as it was about to go phooom , then breakdown cover and last holiday payment so i havent even got cash for a coffee till pay day .That and mrs ck did her usual trick of not getting up till about 5 min after the club run starts .
Thats 3 weeks i have not gone due to sportive and other commitments .

 

[smutchin]

I haven't been out with my club for a couple of months. Was planning to go out with them today but overslept.

I think on the whole clubs prefer you to be a non-riding member than one of those people who turns up to rides but doesn't pay their subs.

 

[Blue Hills]

Missed this week as i am skint as i bought a new car the same month as the old one was paid off as it was about to go phooom ,

ah the horrors of car ownership

 

[Too Tyred]

I haven't been out with my club for a couple of months. Was planning to go out with them today but overslept.

I think on the whole clubs prefer you to be a non-riding member than one of those people who turns up to rides but doesn't pay their subs.

I looked at my local club's site to try and get a feel for how far clubs go and how quickly - not that I'm ready to join yet! But, the main thing that struck me was how goddamn early every weekend club ride seems to set off! What is it with cyclists and early starts? The last thing that I want to do on a Saturday is have to get up at day-break just to go and ride!

 

[smutchin]

the main thing that struck me was how goddamn early every weekend club ride seems to set off! What is it with cyclists and early starts? The last thing that I want to do on a Saturday is have to get up at day-break just to go and ride!

There are at least two obvious reasons for that: one, the roads are emptier first thing in the morning; two, people have families and want to get back in time to spend the afternoon with them.