PaulSB
Legendary Member
- Location
- Chorley, Lancashire
Interested by this thread as I often meet people who want to join a club but are nervous of it and looking from the outside are unsure if it, club riding, is for them. I'm always encouraging people to do so and it's not surprising the majority just want a ride not to scalp every rider in sight. My club certainly recognise this.
I've been in three clubs, the first met too far away but the rides were glorious. The second I found myself stuck between the A and B groups. Couldn't stay with the A but faster than the B and the B group, which was largely composed off life long friends, would stop at least twice if not three times on a ride.
My current club, Chorley CC, was only formed two years ago. There are 3-4 official rides, Sunday run, often two different groups, a Tuesday fast run and a Thursday hilly ride. Only been on the Tuesday once so far and got slaughtered!!! I wasn't the only one though and we just made up our own little group to go at 20 instead of 24! Thursday hilly ride is organised for experienced riders to train a little and the newbies to gain experience, all climb at their own pace and meet at the top.
Most rides are A or B group but there are at 2-3 C groups a month and Intro rides monthly on a Saturday. Most of the Sunday rides are between 14-16 over 55-65 miles. Those who wish can TT or hill climb. On top of this there are loads of individual rides organised through Facebook. A typical post last night was:
"Anyone fancy an early ride tomorrow? Got to be back by 11 so earlyish start. Meet at 8"
I am not good at meeting strangers, I'm 59 and just enjoy riding. My advice to potential newbies would be:
1. Understand you have to make an effort to join and when you first join. The club should also be welcoming.
2. Chat to people, ask open questions and just listen to begin with.
3. Start with a ride which seems a little below you're own ability if possible. Appreciate that in a group the perhaps 14 you manage alone will easily become 16 average and 19-20 at times.
4. Suss out the group that suits you best, I think it should be the one that takes you just out of the comfort zone.
5. Remember the enjoyment is for all. Most rides will wait for the slowest but appreciate you have a responsibility to the group. If after a couple of rides its clear you picked the wrong group try another.
6. Avoid rides you know are beyond you or be prepared to be dropped. If you know you can't keep the pace it's better not to start that particular ride.
Club cycling is great fun and can teach one a great deal but it's like everything in life it takes a bit of effort. My wife was in and out if various tennis clubs till she settled in one that suited her - same thing, different sport
Go for it, clubs are good!
I've been in three clubs, the first met too far away but the rides were glorious. The second I found myself stuck between the A and B groups. Couldn't stay with the A but faster than the B and the B group, which was largely composed off life long friends, would stop at least twice if not three times on a ride.
My current club, Chorley CC, was only formed two years ago. There are 3-4 official rides, Sunday run, often two different groups, a Tuesday fast run and a Thursday hilly ride. Only been on the Tuesday once so far and got slaughtered!!! I wasn't the only one though and we just made up our own little group to go at 20 instead of 24! Thursday hilly ride is organised for experienced riders to train a little and the newbies to gain experience, all climb at their own pace and meet at the top.
Most rides are A or B group but there are at 2-3 C groups a month and Intro rides monthly on a Saturday. Most of the Sunday rides are between 14-16 over 55-65 miles. Those who wish can TT or hill climb. On top of this there are loads of individual rides organised through Facebook. A typical post last night was:
"Anyone fancy an early ride tomorrow? Got to be back by 11 so earlyish start. Meet at 8"
I am not good at meeting strangers, I'm 59 and just enjoy riding. My advice to potential newbies would be:
1. Understand you have to make an effort to join and when you first join. The club should also be welcoming.
2. Chat to people, ask open questions and just listen to begin with.
3. Start with a ride which seems a little below you're own ability if possible. Appreciate that in a group the perhaps 14 you manage alone will easily become 16 average and 19-20 at times.
4. Suss out the group that suits you best, I think it should be the one that takes you just out of the comfort zone.
5. Remember the enjoyment is for all. Most rides will wait for the slowest but appreciate you have a responsibility to the group. If after a couple of rides its clear you picked the wrong group try another.
6. Avoid rides you know are beyond you or be prepared to be dropped. If you know you can't keep the pace it's better not to start that particular ride.
Club cycling is great fun and can teach one a great deal but it's like everything in life it takes a bit of effort. My wife was in and out if various tennis clubs till she settled in one that suited her - same thing, different sport
Go for it, clubs are good!
But joking aside the clubs i have ridden with were both looking for ride leaders i don't know how other clubs get on. But i have found riding with clubs you get to form your little groups and we quite often go for rides without the rest of the club. Think we are lucky down London way there are plenty of clubs to choose from, Good luck which ever way you go.
