#9912129, By pistol The cycling thread

pistol 16 Oct 2013 15:04:22 13,018 posts
Seen 8 years ago
Registered 19 years ago

basmans_grob wrote:
What are people’s experience of cycling clubs? I’m getting my first out and out racer this weekend after many years of MTB and touring bikes and I’m thinking of joining a local club. I’m new to the area (West London) so it seemed like a good way of meeting other riders.
I ride an hour a day and other fitness stuff as well, I can do 100+ on a tourer in a day.
Are clubs normally social etc and welcoming to new member who aren’t ever going to be actually capable or racing??

Much like clubs of all sorts it really depends on the club. Some are bigger and a little more corporate such as London Dynamo's etc, then you have the likes of Kingston Wheelers who ride out of Egham. I would suggest riding with a few without commiting to get a feel for whether they're suitable. The bigger ones can often have a wider range of rider abilities. Some prefer the social weekend riding and others like to race, or do both. Im my experience the smaller the club the less variety.

I've ridden with a few clubs but due to family commitments, kid's clubs etc I can never commit to riding at a certain time, so that's why I don't join them. I'm lucky that I've built up a good little network of riders I can go out with though. Club's tend to like riding at the same time every week and that's not me. I'll often go out training at 6am or so, especially in the summer.

They are great for social aspect though, and don't forget if you plan of riding sportives quickly in the future, the group riding practice you get if riding in a club is very useful.

Have a look on the British cycling website to see what's available in your area. (sorry, just seen this has already been advised).

Edited by pistol at 15:05:32 16-10-2013