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Post by cacciatorino on Oct 9, 2014 8:04:07 GMT
I'm a member of Cicloclub Recanati (italy) since 2013. We organize a granfondo on late august of every year (www.fondoleopardiana.com), and other minor activities. After a copule of years of membership, I can say that it was a very good idea to join this group: I had the possibility to learn a lot of new matters, and to create new friendships. P.S. My choice on this team was due to my experience on the fondo in 2012, that I ran as individual (it was my first "fondo"). I saw a good level of organization, so at the end of 2012 I sent an SMS to the president and ask to join for 2013, and he answered that it was ok. My partnership in the 2013 was at a "low" level, but it strongly encreased in 2014, when I was involved in the organization very deeply. Here a photoset of the fondo of 2014, just to show the fun to work on this kind of events! ;-) www.facebook.com/Alessandro.Marchetti.5311/media_set?set=a.10203227931330429.1073741865.1573112615&type=3
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Post by sodafarl on Oct 9, 2014 8:46:22 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. Gary works both ways gives you a set time for cycling on a Saturday/Sunday but at the same time not being restricted to these times if it doesn't suit especially for someone like you with wee ones where plans can need to be changed quickly. If only 2people are going out then you can be under pressure to be there for a certain time. Plus the craic is 90.
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Post by fatmanona5a on Oct 9, 2014 8:54:13 GMT
Being a shi(f)t worker, joining a club can be tricky! Not everyone works 9>5, Monday > Friday!! My thoughts about finding a club are:- 1, Are the meet times suitable? 2, Is the club close enough to you? 3, Is the club big enough to have a number of different levels on rides? If you find a club that you love, and outgrow their rides, you don't have to leave;- Become a ride leader, or make their rides more challenging (use winter bike, a fixie/ single speed or just fill your panniers with ballast/drink n food). If you do need to move onto a better club, just do it. A club is not for life, as you evolve as a cyclist more options can open up to you ( if you want). One of my local clubs runs club rides with an average speed of 16/17 mph, at the moment I would need a moped to join them!! But if I ever get to that level?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2014 10:18:18 GMT
One of my local clubs runs club rides with an average speed of 16/17 mph, at the moment I would need a moped to join them!! But if I ever get to that level? Do consider that group ride average speeds will be higher that what you would be capable of riding solo. On the group ride I went on I was able to cruise along the flat at >20mph at the middle/back of the group and happily chat with the guy riding next to me. It honestly felt easy and the miles ticked over really quick. I could ride at those speeds riding solo but certainly not hold a conversation and it would not feel easy.
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Post by fatmanona5a on Oct 9, 2014 11:19:02 GMT
One of my local clubs runs club rides with an average speed of 16/17 mph, at the moment I would need a moped to join them!! But if I ever get to that level? Do consider that group ride average speeds will be higher that what you would be capable of riding solo. On the group ride I went on I was able to cruise along the flat at >20mph at the middle/back of the group and happily chat with the guy riding next to me. It honestly felt easy and the miles ticked over really quick. I could ride at those speeds riding solo but certainly not hold a conversation and it would not feel easy.
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Post by fatmanona5a on Oct 9, 2014 11:26:39 GMT
One of my local clubs runs club rides with an average speed of 16/17 mph, at the moment I would need a moped to join them!! But if I ever get to that level? Do consider that group ride average speeds will be higher that what you would be capable of riding solo. On the group ride I went on I was able to cruise along the flat at >20mph at the middle/back of the group and happily chat with the guy riding next to me. It honestly felt easy and the miles ticked over really quick. I could ride at those speeds riding solo but certainly not hold a conversation and it would not feel easy. Whoops, double post! My plan is to join a larger club, and work through the groups until I find my level. While doing this, I will also be getting used to riding in company. When I establish what I'm capable of, I might want to move onto a club that uses words like "chai gang!"
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Post by chappers on Oct 9, 2014 11:42:27 GMT
I am in the only club where I live - it is based on people getting together in a group and riding together for safety reasons and to have fun with it as well. If you're not having fun then what's the point? Money is raised for charity at the same time (a lot of money over the short years it has been going). Its more of a social club on bikes. It is also by invitation only to make sure the right person is in - so you can deal with the banter (always hated that word) and dish plenty out as well. We have annual golf days called the 'rider cup' and an annual holiday of a week often in a different place in France where we cycle. We don't race - we stick together so pace is never a problem.
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Post by chappers on Oct 9, 2014 11:43:56 GMT
I've just read that through and I've made it sound like the masons in lycra lol. It's not by the way.
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Post by goffski on Oct 9, 2014 11:44:13 GMT
Not in a club and not too sure if i want to join one or not. There's a few in my area which i could join and i like the idea of riding in a group etc but then i also like to do my own thing when and where i want. Maybe it's something i'll look more into next year.
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Post by robertsims on Oct 9, 2014 12:17:20 GMT
I'm mixed as I said above. I really enjoy group rides when I do them BUT with limited time I find that single rides are just much easier - less waiting round, less faffing, less mechanical stops, less drink stops (on single ride I never stop - just eat/drink on bike).
I know that sounds miserable but it's true...saying that I do really enjoy group rides when I do them but prefer groups of 2-4 people as minimises the above but with social side remaining!
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Post by ChrisD on Oct 9, 2014 13:00:22 GMT
... When I establish what I'm capable of, I might want to move onto a club that uses words like "chai gang!" Is that when you all stop at one of those exotic cafes where it's not just "I'll have a coffee" but also "Make mine a tea" that results that in a long list of options to choose from?
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Post by goffski on Oct 9, 2014 13:50:03 GMT
I'm mixed as I said above. I really enjoy group rides when I do them BUT with limited time I find that single rides are just much easier - less waiting round, less faffing, less mechanical stops, less drink stops (on single ride I never stop - just eat/drink on bike). I know that sounds miserable but it's true...saying that I do really enjoy group rides when I do them but prefer groups of 2-4 people as minimises the above but with social side remaining! I'm totally the same!
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Post by fatmanona5a on Oct 9, 2014 13:57:58 GMT
... When I establish what I'm capable of, I might want to move onto a club that uses words like "chai gang!" Is that when you all stop at one of those exotic cafes where it's not just "I'll have a coffee" but also "Make mine a tea" that results that in a long list of options to choose from? Chai gang was a typo for chain gang, they look good, but the idea of me being involved would be scary for everyone else!!
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Post by lowey on Oct 9, 2014 14:29:32 GMT
I'm not currently and have no real plans to join one. There is a club local to me and they do have various level rides, but meeting times are on a Sunday at 10.30, at which time my eldest has his swimming lessons so it doesn't suit. With that and taking him to football training on a Saturday I usually have to get my rides in as & when I can. I prefer to get out early on a Sunday when the roads are quieter and riding on my own has never bothered me. Means I can be flexible with my routes and if I fancy a more challenging ride, I can head off in the direction of some hills without affecting anyone else.
I used to play football so can understand the social side of joining a club but my time on the bike is precious. It's what I do to relax away from work and the family and all I have to worry about is where I'm going to go and how fast I want to get there.
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Post by r0b1et on Oct 9, 2014 17:09:17 GMT
Perhaps I'm lucky to have the uni road cycling club to join. While I'm older than almost everyone else in the club, they tend to be a good sociable bunch, and enough to mean that we get some sort of group (be it road or velodrome) 4 days a week, but if someone fancies a ride off the normal times then we often post on the facebook group and you often get a few.
Of course there are benefits from them being so young - they improve really fast and make me train hard to keep up.
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