Cycling clubs

[BPC7]

I live near Brighton and have really got into my road cycling that I am now thinking of joining a club, I have looked at these clubs on line, the Brighton Mitre, the Excelsior, and the Lewes Wanderers but they look way too serious for me and feel I will look stupid due to my experience level. Are there any others that may be a little bit easier going on a keen novice?

[Anthony Micallef]

Im glad you're enjoying your new bike. I thought about joining a local club too since getting my road bike but their shortest ride was 60 miles!! Theres no way im ready for that yet! There seems to be a distinct lack of cycling clubs for complete beginners like me.

[outnumbered]

You might look for your local CTC group, they are usually better at catering for less experienced riders.

Http://www.ctc.org.uk

http://www.communigate.co.uk/sussex/ctcbrighton/

OTOH, if you can ride 30-40 miles on your own, 50-60 miles in a group isn't as much of a step as you might think, as long as the group isn't too far beyond your ability. Another way of doing it is take a map, and aim to do the first hour only, and build it up week by week.

[Jimbo.]

Go and ask! Worst they can say is "No", which then shows what a bunch of pretentious dicks they probably are. Everyone's got to start somewhere. Even those "serious" looking guys. They were the tentative new guy once, and I get good money most - if not all - of them were much like yourself, wondering if they'd "fit in", if they'd keep up.
If it's a half-decent club they'd actively encourage new members, irrespective of ability or experience. Hell, if the club is to survive then they have to! Provided there's sufficient numbers, they'd split into groups according to speed/distance. And even if you did get dropped (it WILL happen!) they they'd wait or ease up.

EDIT: As said above, you'd be surprised how much faster/further you go in a group: the drafting and the almost subconscious motivation works wonders.

Do make the effort though, as it's well worth it. So much more rewarding, and does much, MUCH more for your speed/fitness/climbing/riding skills than any bling bits or shiny kit ever could.

Edited by Jimbo. on Saturday 7th April 18:16

[Kermit power]

I went through exactly the same process!

Today was my first ride out with one of the local clubs, and I was comfortable with the pace, but as at least two of the guys out riding were in their Seventies, I would've had no excuse for being dropped!

[Gizmo!]

Kermit power said:

I went through exactly the same process!

Today was my first ride out with one of the local clubs, and I was comfortable with the pace, but as at least two of the guys out riding were in their Seventies, I would've had no excuse for being dropped!

You'd have been the "all the gear" newbie

[BPC7]

I can comfortably ride 40 to 50 miles now at an average pace of 14mph, this is much improved from my average of 10mph over 20 miles about 3 months ago so things are improving, albeit slowly.

Good idea to go and meet them to see if they would accept a beginner. Dont mind the being dropped during the rides but they do look a little beyond my skill level as their "nice gentle pace" is my top speed lol

Waiting for the rain to ease off so I cen go out this morning

[okgo]

There's often Brighton Mitre riders in my races, they seem nice.

My club recommends this for entry points to our slow club runs - always thought it was about right

Am I fit enough?
It's always a personal question but you should be comfortable with a 40 mile ride at 15-16mph. As a rough guide if you can do three laps of Richmond Park in under 80 minutes then you should be ok too.

[anonymous-user]

I would recommend finding a larger club which is more likely to have a "fast" and a "slow" club run then you can work yourself into it.

[Kermit power]

Inkyfingers said:

I would recommend finding a larger club which is more likely to have a "fast" and a "slow" club run then you can work yourself into it.

I would quite like that option, but for some reason almost all the clubs near me do their riding on Sunday, which clashes with coaching mini rugby.

[Kermit power]

Inkyfingers said:

I would recommend finding a larger club which is more likely to have a "fast" and a "slow" club run then you can work yourself into it.

I would quite like that option, but for some reason almost all the clubs near me do their riding on Sunday, which clashes with coaching mini rugby.

[Simond S]

In gear cycles in Uckfield have a friendly ride team. They also make a point of ensuring that on their rides you ride at a comfortable pace. (any wanna be racers are soon despatched to the higher group to make sure people are not being left behind.)

The shop owner has quite a dry sense of humour, but is a good guy.

http://z3.invisionfree.com/VeloClubInGear/index.ph... for more info

[TheGreatSoprendo]

I'm in the same boat (or on the same bike if you prefer) as you. Live near Brighton and bought my first ever road bike last year. I did some commuting and a few solo rides, but nothing overly strenuous. Thinking about taking it a bit more seriously this year so joining a club looks like the way to go.

I've looked at Brighton Mitre, Sussex Nomads and Lewes Wanderers but I've really no idea how to go about deciding which is best!

The Mitre do a "Come and try it ride" on the first Saturday of every month which sounds relatively achievable - a 1.5 - 2 hour ride at a pace of between 13 and 15mph. Since the rest of April is pretty busy for me, I'll probably head along to their Come and try it ride on 5th May to see what it's all about. Come along if you fancy it - we can be 2 clueless numpties together!