Lightning CycleQueen
Supervisor
I like to ride on my as its by my time not theres. However it is nice to ride with others. Don't go to a club that won't accept new members
I think im done with my club
- Thread starter cyberknight
- Start date
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I like to ride on my as its by my time not theres. However it is nice to ride with others. Don't go to a club that won't accept new members
OP
OP
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
i have joined another club now and its ok although im out of shape atm due to working long hours and no club rides so i get dropped on hills , doesnt help most have just come back from a cycle hol in mallorca
I belong to a very local club, which was started only in 2020 iirc.
We've just tipped over 300 members, and we run rides for speeds from 10-12mph, up in 5 or 6 (Demand dependent) stages to 20+mph.
All aside from the very fastest are no drop. At some point over time I have ridden them all.
We have a diverse range of members, and iirc around a 3rd are women which I believe is relatively unusual.
There's also a focus on children's coaching, and fun racing events (Summer CX for example), as well as the more focussed TTs and hill climbs.
I've only been out twice this year so far, but I find (aside from fine weather) what inspires me to go out, is if I see people on the Spond sign up app who I know are awesome people I want to ride and chat with.
Most of my cycling this year has been on Rouvy, but I have been spoiled with a week in Spain, and a further week there next month - should be guaranteed hot conditions this time around - definitely my preference.
I've only been on one ride where I was completely off the pace, just one of those days where the legs and head were not there - people waited for me, but eventually I threw in the towel, had the route on my garmin, and told them to go ahead, and I continued at my own pace.
I'd definitely say there are pluses and minuses to both riding solo and in a group, and I wouldn't want to exclusively do just one.
Riding solo, probably with some shokz bone conduction headphones on for some choones, means I can focus on my effort, keep an eye on my cadence, power output etc etc, and not have to worry about anyone else, or pointing out holes/half wheeling etc etc.
Group riding (if it's a fast one, and you are feeling good) can be an absolute hoot - some friendly competition, and of course the fantastic drafting effect you get - speaking of which my club has just re-started the spring and summer months chain gang, so I should really give that a go again.
Likewise, if I fancy a chat or an easy ride, I can just pick a speed ride that I am confident is within my current fitness abilities, and enjoy the ride :-)
We've just tipped over 300 members, and we run rides for speeds from 10-12mph, up in 5 or 6 (Demand dependent) stages to 20+mph.
All aside from the very fastest are no drop. At some point over time I have ridden them all.
We have a diverse range of members, and iirc around a 3rd are women which I believe is relatively unusual.
There's also a focus on children's coaching, and fun racing events (Summer CX for example), as well as the more focussed TTs and hill climbs.
I've only been out twice this year so far, but I find (aside from fine weather) what inspires me to go out, is if I see people on the Spond sign up app who I know are awesome people I want to ride and chat with.
Most of my cycling this year has been on Rouvy, but I have been spoiled with a week in Spain, and a further week there next month - should be guaranteed hot conditions this time around - definitely my preference.
I've only been on one ride where I was completely off the pace, just one of those days where the legs and head were not there - people waited for me, but eventually I threw in the towel, had the route on my garmin, and told them to go ahead, and I continued at my own pace.
I'd definitely say there are pluses and minuses to both riding solo and in a group, and I wouldn't want to exclusively do just one.
Riding solo, probably with some shokz bone conduction headphones on for some choones, means I can focus on my effort, keep an eye on my cadence, power output etc etc, and not have to worry about anyone else, or pointing out holes/half wheeling etc etc.
Group riding (if it's a fast one, and you are feeling good) can be an absolute hoot - some friendly competition, and of course the fantastic drafting effect you get - speaking of which my club has just re-started the spring and summer months chain gang, so I should really give that a go again.
Likewise, if I fancy a chat or an easy ride, I can just pick a speed ride that I am confident is within my current fitness abilities, and enjoy the ride :-)
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I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before but I stopped riding with my club of many years because of the increasing number of comments (and judgements) about me not wearing a helmet (and I genuinely do NOT want to start that debate) It's not obligatory here in France, neither by law or club regulation, but my choice was not seemingly respected by all. Shame. Things change and you make your choices accordingly.
Yeah funny how some cyclists are very anti non-helmet wearing. Personally I do wear one and it has saved my noggin from injury but I think it's entirely up to the individual whether they do or not. Back to the club thing, there's a few in my club who if we pass an cyclist not wearing a helmet they will comment amongst the group about it and in a judgemental way.
All uphill
Still rolling along
- Location
- Somerset
I've thought a lot about this kind of thing. I don't do well in groups, generally, I'm happy to follow a group's stated roolz, but outside that I feel no compulsion to go along with unwritten rules.
My last group ride, back in 2021, arrived at a crowded cafe during a drizzly ride. The leader said 'we'll have coffee and cake inside'. I said I'd wait for them outside with a takeaway coffee as I didn't want to risk covid. That was clearly not acceptable and there were some unpleasant comments.
I'll cycle with anyone now, but not in a group.
I think that for some people a group is all about being led, and having formal and informal rules to abide by.
That's ridiculous. Some were objecting to you not wanting to go into a crowded indoor space during covid? That's definitely a club I wouldn't be with.
OP
OP
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
UPDATE
Joined the new club and now i have started to get my fitness back im managing to keep up
The sunday ride is a bit short for my liking at around 45 miles with a cafe stop as they call it a social ride but im still averaging 17 mph , add in the extra 10 miles to get to the start point and back i try to add a bit more to get a metric century ride in .
The founder of the old club has actually joined the new one as a rider so he can ride without the hassle of trying to organise the members .I try to ride alternate sundays as atm i work evry other sunday for extra dosh although i could do every weekend i wouldn’t get many opportunities to ride otherwise .
Old club
Now its officially disbanded we have a whats app groups for riders of similar ability that can post a poll asking if anyone wants to ride and suggest routes .I posted one yesterday and so far there are 5 of us for tomorrow .
Dependant on shift pattern i will try to get out alternate weekends to the new club.
Joined the new club and now i have started to get my fitness back im managing to keep up
The sunday ride is a bit short for my liking at around 45 miles with a cafe stop as they call it a social ride but im still averaging 17 mph , add in the extra 10 miles to get to the start point and back i try to add a bit more to get a metric century ride in .
The founder of the old club has actually joined the new one as a rider so he can ride without the hassle of trying to organise the members .I try to ride alternate sundays as atm i work evry other sunday for extra dosh although i could do every weekend i wouldn’t get many opportunities to ride otherwise .
Old club
Now its officially disbanded we have a whats app groups for riders of similar ability that can post a poll asking if anyone wants to ride and suggest routes .I posted one yesterday and so far there are 5 of us for tomorrow .
Dependant on shift pattern i will try to get out alternate weekends to the new club.
Kingfisher101
Veteran
A lot of people dont have the confidence for going for a long ride by themselves for reasons such as getting a puncture/mechanical and not being able to fix it or getting lost etc.
I dont like riding in groups at all as I like to do my own thing, go where I want at my own pace etc. You cant do that in a group, you have to go where the leader wants. I'm also not bothered about café stops, cake and coffee etc.
I can fix punctures etc but even I have had some long walks home in the past.
I dont like riding in groups at all as I like to do my own thing, go where I want at my own pace etc. You cant do that in a group, you have to go where the leader wants. I'm also not bothered about café stops, cake and coffee etc.
I can fix punctures etc but even I have had some long walks home in the past.
