Is it worth it joining a club?

[lone one]

Been off the bike for the last 10 odd years, and getting back into it and am wondering is it worth joining a club.

 

I have heard mixed feedback, some guys says it good to get to know routes and set up group rides etc and others saying it is just an opportunity to show off and brag about who has the latest and most expensive gadgets.

 

I am in fourways, and the most convienient club for me is a big national one where I pay a reasonable amount of hard earned cash to join and get a lovely branded Lycra outfit.

 

Any thoughts or informal "club" set ups around the area

[DR ◣◢]

Black or brown stuff?

[Agteros]

Blue and yellow uses pretty much the same route out to the Cradle. Morning rides at the Engen on Main are for all comers... If you are a fast rider, you can join Andrew Mclean on his morning rides out to the Cradle and back - ask at the shop. Other groups starting at Dunkeld Cycles & Rosebank are not club affiliated either...

 

So the big question is what you want out of the club you join? Safety (vehicle following - only on Saturdays - Blue & Yellow clubs)?, steady, speed graded groups?

[lone one]

Brown

Maybe a bit of black a little later

[Nettie R]

 

I am in fourways, and the most convienient club for me is a big national one where I pay a reasonable amount of hard earned cash to join and get a lovely branded Lycra outfit.

 

I was envious of that club when we drove past there Saturday morning. It was raining and despite the poor weather about 30cyclists gathered to go ride. Imagine the turnout if the weather was good (and the double century was not on)

Choose well and you will not look back.

[DR ◣◢]

Busy tomorrow afternoon after work?

 

Join us at Fratelli's from 17:30 for a ride. I know some guys are starting from Paulshof earlier. PM Karma to make sure or PM me for more info.

 

You don't have to join a club. Some clubs are great and some are money hungry monsters.

 

Join us tomorrow and experience what a fun group of guys together can do on a ride.

[Li Mu Bai]

what do you want to get out of a club?

Do you want to make riding buddies, do you want to enjoy great hospitality after a major event (beers, cokes, food). do you want safety in riding in mtb in numbers to avoid hijacking, do you want marshalled road rides with people of your ability, do you want to race in the club race team, do you want to share coffee's after good hard rides with the guys your suffering with?

 

Clubs are only as good as you make them, ie what you put in you get out. If you participate and get involved it doesnt matter if its big or small, although small clubs can be cliquey as there are less people to interact with. At least with big clubs you can find a clique that suits you, there may be many.

 

My best advice, go along to several of the clubs' organised rides and see if you enjoy the safety, energy, organization, people, routes etc.

Its about having fun isnt it?

[lone one]

What do I want - A group of riders that genuinely enjoy riding share experiences, no posers and arrogance

[Smolly]

Bicycle Gang?

[jmaccelari]

If you use the facilities, then yes. I've been a member of Cycle Lab for 9 years now and get fantastic value for money. The post-94.7 hospitality alone was worth it. Then Argus and other races, Ride mag subscription, Club and Think Bike marshalled rides every week... Bargain if you use it.

[DIPSLICK]

Busy tomorrow afternoon after work?

 

Join us at Fratelli's from 17:30 for a ride. I know some guys are starting from Paulshof earlier. PM Karma to make sure or PM me for more info.

 

You don't have to join a club. Some clubs are great and some are money hungry monsters.

 

Join us tomorrow and experience what a fun group of guys together can do on a ride.

Myself and a friend wanted to join you guys I think it was last week (Could not organize last min drama ) question is ??? Is it a open offer for Hubbers to join?? And just for logistics approx. time and pace???

[shaper]

If you decide to do races then you will need a CSA license which you can only get by belonging to a club, unless you buy licenses on race day which is a more expensive option!

 

And as with every club, not only cycling, it's what you put in!

[Mads]

What do I want - A group of riders that genuinely enjoy riding share experiences, no posers and arrogance

 

In a club or large group you will always get them. The question is rather what is your attitude towards them going to be. If you don't like them, ignore them and do what you are there for and that is to cycle and enjoy others company.

 

It is not their attitude towards you is what you do with the attitude.

 

I absolutely love group rides on weekends as I usually train - or lets call it - ride alone in the week.

[SpecialK]

If you decide to do races then you will need a CSA license which you can only get by belonging to a club, unless you buy licenses on race day which is a more expensive option!

 

And as with every club, not only cycling, it's what you put in!

 

You no longer need to belong to a club to get a CSA licence, you can get them through Cycling SA direct for R75 a year, club membership is only necessary for a racing licence.

[SpecialK]

I joined a cycling club around mid-year, and I've never regretted it. Being female and in Joburg, I don't like riding on my own, and sometimes my boyfriend isn't able to join me for a ride.

 

This way i am able to get my rides in (brown or black stuff) in the company of equally minded and helpful people, as well as not always feeling that the SO has to hold back and wait for me. Group rides over weekends are great, with a casual catch up over breakfast after. Plus additionally we have the club cars normally available on both weekend days. I have only made use of their pump, but its good to know they are there.

 

At the end of the day its personal preference. I generally do the brown stuff with friends, but enjoy the safety in numbers for the black stuff. If you have people you can ride with, great. Otherwise join one of the clubs for a ride or five and see if you like it.

[djsam]

WIthout doubt, as it has been advised .. join a couple rides at each Club, would try CycleLab as it is close to you can ride too and from the start or Club 100, both really great. Hell why not join both.....the benefits are there as i am sure many would agree.