MTB Club For an absolute beginner

[Formosa]

Club to join for someone who has not been on a bike since his BMX with Velcro straps around the handle bars and frame.

 

Hi there, so I am looking at getting into mountain biking looks like fun and it gets me off the couch. As the title states I have not been on a bike in ages, been reading this great forum and doing some research on bikes on what to buy and what to look for, but once I get a bike what is the better club to join for an absolute novice - ( gear changing and so forth or am I over complicating it?)

 

I see some clubs have flashy kits and other not, it is more the ride and assistance from the club I am interested in, are some clubs more beneficial for the weekend warrior who knows his bike up to the pro who conquers the Cape Epic and not so much for the coach potato who has traded his comfy cushioned chair & Xbox remote for the thrill of a ride through nature upon his mountain bike?

 

I live out on the West Rand, Roodepoort side. I have looked into a few clubs so far, Cycle labs club, MTN's Club 100 and a few smaller clubs. My concern on the smaller clubs is me keeping experienced riders back and assuming the bigger clubs have larger groups that are broken down into experience and fitness levels.

 

And final question, I see the large clubs offer Bibs shorts and Cycle Shirt or just pay a tad less and just get the shirt, any reviews on the bib shorts ? I ask because reading around some bib shorts seem to be rather uncomfortable.

 

So any advise would be much appreciated, thanks a lot

[SAGecko]

Cycle lab isn't a bad bet R.O.C.

 

They have marshaled MTB groups down to 15 - 20 k's and 14kph average, right up to the racing snakes at 55km and 24+ kph average.

[scotty]

Johannesburg MTB club cater for all levels and have various rides local and away.

[Guest notmyname]

I must agree. JMBC are a great bunch of Guys and Gals. Group rides at different venues every week with groups of Varying skill, pace and distance.