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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2014 18:44:50 GMT
Are you a member of your local cycling club? I ask because I'm not as yet. If you've joined your local club, why did you become involved? In all honesty, I feel a level of intimidation and shyness that completely overshadow any perceived benefits so I'd love find out what the lure of a local cycling club is for you. Equally, has anyone tried it and been put off? Or are you happy being unaffiliated and wouldn't dream of joining a club? Looking forward to your responses
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Post by Rocket on Oct 8, 2014 18:55:22 GMT
I've ticked yes as I'm a member of a cycling club but it is not local as per the thread post. They meet 23 miles away from my house. I wanted to push myself harder and thought tagging on with a bunch of doers might achieve this. So far it's looking like I've joined the wrong club as I do their rides on tickover. I just noticed where they were meeting a few times so rolled up one Saturday and asked if I could tag along. I have been made most welcome.
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Post by jdebs on Oct 8, 2014 18:58:46 GMT
I joined a club just over a year ago. Beacon Roads Cycling Club. Based in South Birmingham. They meet every Sunday a few miles from where I live. Very handy. I get out when I can. I enjoy group outings more than going solo which I personally find boring. They/we have some very good routes out into Worcester/Warwickshire etc. Three groups. A B and C. I generally go on C runs which can at times be a tad stop start. I led a B run recently. Nearly killed me!! I'd like to commit more but work prevents me doing so. I'd recommend joining a club.
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Post by stevewebb on Oct 8, 2014 19:07:30 GMT
I am looking into some local clubs at the moment and will try a couple out to see what it is like before committing myself to regular rides etc. It is a bit unnerving though, not knowing what the pace, attitudes etc will be like so I am interested to hears others views.
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Post by baz on Oct 8, 2014 19:14:13 GMT
Since getting the bike ive had two experiences with clubs and both the complete opposite of each other, Thought about joining or atleast trying out a club ride when i bought the T3a which was last June/July , looked about forums and came across the Phoenix CC website, plucked up the courage to ask if it was ok to tag along and got a "sure, everyone welcome" reply so off i went on a training night. Now seeing as im an ex smoker and after a few nights i realised i was never going to be able to keep up with this bunch especially on hills, it wasn't enjoyable at all, felt i was holding every one up or that i just didn't fit in with these "racers" . Was on this forum at the same time and asked sodafarl if it was alright to join along for a spin with the lads he went out with and what a difference, St Enda's GAA club, i wasn't the slowest in the bunch which was a good thing for me but everyone was waited on, great bunch of lads were everyone helps each other out, we do runs every Sat and Sun mornings and also do longer runs for charity and have weekends away, the craic is great and the cycling is much more enjoyable now
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Post by Rocket on Oct 8, 2014 19:15:59 GMT
Most clubs grade their rides on distance, average speed and climbing as the leader posts a link to the route on their forum/FaceBook/Twitter. Just start easy and move up if you feel you can progress.
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Post by ianmoss on Oct 8, 2014 19:31:23 GMT
Don't be intimidated, get in touch with them and go along for a ride, most clubs will allow you to ride with them without any pressure to join for a few. Most clubs, like ours (Barnsley Road Club) have 2 runs usually A and B with the latter being for a more relaxed ride, so older members, new starters and anyone who want's a slower paced ride.
I always regretted not joining a club when i was younger for fear of not having a good enough bike or not being able to ride strong enough. You need to give it a go. Hopefully you will find a new group of friends with common interest. If it's a decent club, you will only be the newest rider for a coupe of rides. The advantages are that you will find that you push yourself a little on a group ride, go a bit further and enjoy it.
Good luck, let us know how you get on.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2014 19:40:03 GMT
Since getting the bike ive had two experiences with clubs and both the complete opposite of each other, Thought about joining or atleast trying out a club ride when i bought the T3a which was last June/July , looked about forums and came across the Phoenix CC website, plucked up the courage to ask if it was ok to tag along and got a "sure, everyone welcome" reply so off i went on a training night. Now seeing as im an ex smoker and after a few nights i realised i was never going to be able to keep up with this bunch especially on hills, it wasn't enjoyable at all, felt i was holding every one up or that i just didn't fit in with these "racers" . Was on this forum at the same time and asked sodafarl if it was alright to join along for a spin with the lads he went out with and what a difference, St Enda's GAA club, i wasn't the slowest in the bunch which was a good thing for me but everyone was waited on, great bunch of lads were everyone helps each other out, we do runs every Sat and Sun mornings and also do longer runs for charity and have weekends away, the craic is great and the cycling is much more enjoyable now I'll have to be tagging along more.
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Post by Steph on Oct 8, 2014 19:56:10 GMT
I'm not, and not sure if I'm bothered or not. I usually enjoy the smaller SkyRides I've done, with only 4-5 people, but any rides I've done with more than 10-15 people are not so enjoyable for a variety of reasons. Mostly because you tend to get a wide range of abilities and it ends up being an annoyingly slow ride.
Perhaps a club would be different. I should go along to some of the local clubs and see, I'm still not convinced any of them have a group that would suit me though. Might be something I leave until the Spring/Summer now.
For the most part I enjoy being out alone.
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Post by beatnik69 on Oct 8, 2014 20:06:15 GMT
Sometimes I fancy the idea of being in a club but other times I'm happy not to be as I'm free to take any route I fancy. I'm in a camera club so time for other clubs is limited.
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Post by sodafarl on Oct 8, 2014 21:16:40 GMT
Since getting the bike ive had two experiences with clubs and both the complete opposite of each other, Thought about joining or atleast trying out a club ride when i bought the T3a which was last June/July , looked about forums and came across the Phoenix CC website, plucked up the courage to ask if it was ok to tag along and got a "sure, everyone welcome" reply so off i went on a training night. Now seeing as im an ex smoker and after a few nights i realised i was never going to be able to keep up with this bunch especially on hills, it wasn't enjoyable at all, felt i was holding every one up or that i just didn't fit in with these "racers" . Was on this forum at the same time and asked sodafarl if it was alright to join along for a spin with the lads he went out with and what a difference, St Enda's GAA club, i wasn't the slowest in the bunch which was a good thing for me but everyone was waited on, great bunch of lads were everyone helps each other out, we do runs every Sat and Sun mornings and also do longer runs for charity and have weekends away, the craic is great and the cycling is much more enjoyable now baz totally agree with you mate I have enjoyed every ride that I have went out on with you and the rest of the boys even the bad days, when there is always someone that is there to help you out and there is always the chance to return the favour. That's why you always find me at the back helping people out Seriously I blame these lads on getting me hooked on cycling and would recommend to anyone the benefits of going out with a club. There are as baz said the likes of Phoenix with a very large membership and some very successful riders( there are other clubs in the Belfast area) if that is what you want out off cycling go for it as these are the people that will help bring you forward or let you know if it isn't going to happen for you. Or you can go out with the likes of our club where there are guys that are good enough to race but don't as it's not there thing. By the way not too many will have to wait on baz now the change in a year has been powerful. Now back to the turbo and a sore ar5e and think of when I will get out again. Any Northern Ireland BTwin owners wanting to try a club check out this link cyclingulster.com
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Post by sodafarl on Oct 8, 2014 21:19:24 GMT
Since getting the bike ive had two experiences with clubs and both the complete opposite of each other, Thought about joining or atleast trying out a club ride when i bought the T3a which was last June/July , looked about forums and came across the Phoenix CC website, plucked up the courage to ask if it was ok to tag along and got a "sure, everyone welcome" reply so off i went on a training night. Now seeing as im an ex smoker and after a few nights i realised i was never going to be able to keep up with this bunch especially on hills, it wasn't enjoyable at all, felt i was holding every one up or that i just didn't fit in with these "racers" . Was on this forum at the same time and asked sodafarl if it was alright to join along for a spin with the lads he went out with and what a difference, St Enda's GAA club, i wasn't the slowest in the bunch which was a good thing for me but everyone was waited on, great bunch of lads were everyone helps each other out, we do runs every Sat and Sun mornings and also do longer runs for charity and have weekends away, the craic is great and the cycling is much more enjoyable now I'll have to be tagging along more. Ger you know you are always welcome and get Gary along he is only down the road beatnik69 the gauntlet has been thrown
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Post by Paulinblack on Oct 8, 2014 21:27:58 GMT
Only the BROC !
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Post by robertsims on Oct 8, 2014 22:07:10 GMT
Well BROC sw race team obviously! Go out occasionally with a (not so) local group and love to do more but they are about a 75min round trip in car away...and to be honest with limited ride time avaliable the time driving is ride time wasted. Will be joining local club next year however as need to be a member to carry on my time trials as filled up my quota of 'come and try' races this year. Would like to go oit on club rides with them too but they don't leave until 9.30 and with young family I like to leave early and be back about 10 at latest.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2014 22:21:54 GMT
Couple of weeks back I joined a ride organised by a LBS near me. They go out on Saturday and sunday mornings early doors before opening the shop. I would have gone last weekend but they did not organise a ride as the leader/shop owner was injured. It fits my available time quite well as I can be out and back home for 10:15-10:30. I was made to feel very welcome even though I knew none of the 20 or so riders that turned up (I was told that was a record number).
Like Robert I'll join either a cycle club or Chester Tri club next year so I can enter the weekly time trials.
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