Which Edinburgh Cycling Club?

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DaveK

Senior Member
Location
Scottish Borders
Hi Guys,

I'm moving to Edinburgh in the next month and I'll be looking to join a cycling club. Can anyone give me their recommendations on which one would be best for casual rides and perhaps the odd time trial?

Cheers,
Dave
 

DelB

Senior Member
Location
Edinburgh
Haven't joined them (yet!), as I'm still getting into this biking lark, but the Edinburgh Road Club will be my likely choice and will probably fit the bill for what you're after too.
http://www.edinburghrc.co.uk/
 
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DaveK

DaveK

Senior Member
Location
Scottish Borders
Yeah they seem to be the biggest, I like how they have organised rides every Saturday and Sunday with weekly TT. Will make a huge difference from my usual lonely rides in the country.
 
I was in the ERC a while back. On Saturday there's (or at least) various training runs and some of these would break up further but they follow the same route except for the slowest one. They go more varied places on Sunday at a fast pace but the start on the southside of Edinburgh never suited me and my mates so I never did it often either. Never done any of their TT though by the time I'd got interested in them I'd moved. Although its a friendly club it took a while for me to properly break the ice as its that big, I've never experienced that with other clubs outside Edinburgh. Can't commentate on other Edinburgh Clubs though.
 

edindave

Über Member
Location
Auld Reeker
If you want casual rides try Ronde, based in Stockbridge. I don't know if they do TT's but they are a very friendly bunch. I've only been out with them once and really enjoyed it. They are based around a very cool cafe/shop.

I'm a member of Edinburgh RC. It is a big club, lots of different groups for varying abilities and is great if you like more formal chain-gang type training rides. I think their weekly TTs are closed/members only but might be wrong about that.
 

DelB

Senior Member
Location
Edinburgh
If you want casual rides try Ronde, based in Stockbridge. I don't know if they do TT's but they are a very friendly bunch. I've only been out with them once and really enjoyed it. They are based around a very cool cafe/shop.

Never heard of this place before now - What a fantastic website! What was their Saturday run like?
 

edindave

Über Member
Location
Auld Reeker
Never heard of this place before now - What a fantastic website! What was their Saturday run like?

You really should get down there and check the place out. It's a fantastic shop and cafe too. Careful with the wallet though - lots of very nice shiny things and Rapha gear to tempt you. The coffee and cake is rich enough for me.

I went out with the intermediate(?) 09:20 group. Think they have a fast 09:15 group, then a 09:20 group, and a slower 09:30 group. It was very informal, nice route out west to Beecraigs. I know they head out over the bridge to Fife regularly and also mid/east Lothian. It was about 60km I think. We were back around midday or not long after.
Riding was very relaxed, two abreast. There didn't seem to be any deliberate organisation or code to follow. No chain-ganging, no obvious what to do eg. taking turns at the front (although I did a few). I really enjoyed it.

It is quite different to the ERC rides which are more regimented, and more of a training ride. I enjoy them as well, for different reasons.

You'll get different benefits from both clubs. And the beauty of this cycling malarkey is they will both welcome you along for a few rides to see how you find them! :thumbsup:
 

edindave

Über Member
Location
Auld Reeker
Go for it @DaveK :thumbsup:

The Saturday meeting at the Commonwealth Pool can be a bit chaotic with the vast sea of riders. It's like the start of a sportive! I found it a bit confusing the first few times. Anyway here's a little more info for you and a couple of examples of routes. Hopefully it'll be of some help/interest.

No idea what level you ride at, or which group plan to ride, but there are several groups separated by start times.

0930 - the fastest - usually actually leaves about 0935. If you ave 25mph this is the group for you.
0940 - there are usually two groups, a fast 0940 and a second 0940. These tend to be very large and split up in Dalkeith into more sensible numbers. This group is intended for self-sufficient riders and generally does not stop. I have been dropped on this ride before! Usual coastal route here (2nd 0940 group), but groups often split and has a hilly option.
0945 - slightly slower than the 0940. Often splits at Dalkeith into a hilly group and a coastal group (same as the 0940 route). Example here (slightly hilly one).
0950 - development ride, for those new to group riding. This is the only official 'led' ride. When I was doing them they never followed any particular set route, but here's one example.

Whatever you do, enjoy it! :thumbsup:
 
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DaveK

DaveK

Senior Member
Location
Scottish Borders
Excellent post Dave, that was very helpful. I'm nowhere near 25mph but I guess in a group I could maybe do 19 to 20. I will do the development group first and take it from there.

Cheers again!
 

edindave

Über Member
Location
Auld Reeker
There's also Porto-Velo, starting in Portobello. Their main rides are on Sundays and are more "social" rides with a cafe stop and about 60 miles. Good for getting back for lunch. See http://porto-velo.com/ . Free to join.

Nice website and really good info in the Rides Archive - lots of trips over Redstone Rigg! :thumbsup::evil:

Like the Sunday 8am start time as well... I'll definitely go along one week! :thumbsup:
 

amir

Über Member
Location
Edinburgh
Nice website and really good info in the Rides Archive - lots of trips over Redstone Rigg! :thumbsup::evil:

Like the Sunday 8am start time as well... I'll definitely go along one week! :thumbsup:

I think the start time will be moved back to 9am at some point for the winter season. I like their tops but haven't go around to buying one yet.
 
I wouldnt mind coming along for a ride but 9am meeting is a bit early for me as I am out at Gorebridge.
Amir - Who would be the best person to contact about routes?
 
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