ebs786 Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 Hi, Im in my 2nd year of cycling and really contemplating joining a club/group, I am aware there are a few groups and clubs in the southern suburbs but not quite sure what the benefits are apart from the safety in numbers concept So my question to the masses is, would you join a cycling club and why OR would you join a cycling group and why? and this refers to road cycling, any help on the matter would be highly appreciated
Dazshell Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 You must join! The safety issue is just one aspect. You will also find more motivation to ride knowing you can meet up with other members for regular rides. Especially once you have made the commitment to ride on a specific day. You will also start to improve your skills, speed and overall awareness as you learn to ride in bunches and form echelons. Plus, you will get to enjoy many great cups of coffee after your weekend rides. Very important! Lastly you will make some great new friends to talk **** with on Whatsapp when planning the next day's ride! PS. Just seen, you ride a great brand. Well done!
Pure Savage Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 I am in the SS if you want to go for some road rides now and then. Most of us form a team that ride the DC but dont mind if okes join for some suffering during on rides Safety in numbers (Except if my brother joins, then its safer riding with taxis ) We also dont charge to come for rides.
cadenceblur Posted June 23, 2015 Posted June 23, 2015 As long as the group obeys Road rules, and no this isn't a given. Have you looked at Team Vitality?They ride every Saturday and Sunday.
ebs786 Posted June 24, 2015 Author Posted June 24, 2015 thanks for the valid feedback guys im just in two minds with regards to signing up with a club, are there any club guys that can give me some insight into the runnings of a club, what exactly makes a club different to a cycling group?
Pure Savage Posted June 24, 2015 Posted June 24, 2015 They very much the exact same. But one you pay for.
awesme Posted June 24, 2015 Posted June 24, 2015 Club can have allot of additional politics associated with them, Club rules etc,+ fee's. I'm part of a MTB Group: D.O.C (various meanings, but the most public at the moment is Dedicated Old Cyclist, can also be Doctors on Call, delimited old cyclist, etc etc), we're located in the South of Jhb (so ye, to far for you) but just as an example, we'r 300+ strong, 3/4 groups riding different distances and speeds every Sat and Sunday morning. We have a FB page and a Strava page and members that maintain those, plus "leader" that send out a news letter every Thursday/Friday telling us what the plans are for the weekend. I've been part of many Clubs, none of which got it so "right" as our D.O.C group. In the end find one that works for you. be it Club or a Group. G
City Cycling Athletic Club Posted July 7, 2015 Posted July 7, 2015 Hi, Im in my 2nd year of cycling and really contemplating joining a club/group, I am aware there are a few groups and clubs in the southern suburbs but not quite sure what the benefits are apart from the safety in numbers concept So my question to the masses is, would you join a cycling club and why OR would you join a cycling group and why? and this refers to road cycling, any help on the matter would be highly appreciatedjoin a club - get involved - if you dont like something change it - if its reasonable it will be changed.
Maila Posted October 13, 2016 Posted October 13, 2016 Hi, Im in my 2nd year of cycling and really contemplating joining a club/group, I am aware there are a few groups and clubs in the southern suburbs but not quite sure what the benefits are apart from the safety in numbers concept So my question to the masses is, would you join a cycling club and why OR would you join a cycling group and why? and this refers to road cycling, any help on the matter would be highly appreciated My first post on thehub.... I have been contemplating the same thing after 2 years of cycling now and would like to know what your conclusion is seeing that you have probably gone for a few rides with different groups or clubs and what do you recommend. PS. I mostly ride off road, but also enjoy doing road races and will do the occasional road ride when my mtb is in for a service.
Pure Savage Posted October 13, 2016 Posted October 13, 2016 My first post on thehub.... I have been contemplating the same thing after 2 years of cycling now and would like to know what your conclusion is seeing that you have probably gone for a few rides with different groups or clubs and what do you recommend. PS. I mostly ride off road, but also enjoy doing road races and will do the occasional road ride when my mtb is in for a service. You called?? PS
s14phoenix Posted October 13, 2016 Posted October 13, 2016 Some groups work and some don't. Some are a contest of who has the most money. Some are a "who is the coolest" groups. The official big clubs is there so you can ride with others. If you make a buddy or 2 then so be it. I have also ridden with D.O.C and can say they have the group ride thing worked out well - there is groups for various skill levels and fitness. I am still looking for a decent group in Boksburg that has same setup as typically D.O.C. that has different skill/fitness groups.
FootballingCyclist Posted October 13, 2016 Posted October 13, 2016 Groups - Just a bunch of mates you can talk a whole lotta crap with, you can decide to lengthen/shorten the route on the day weather depending during the ride, you can stop for coffee whenever you like wherever you like, Basically, You(the group) make your own rules as you go along, When it comes to races, Entering is up to you as not all guys do all the "Funrides"/races, and getting an entry is your duty. Clubs - Similar to above except there are loads of rules, and fees, which gets you a kit(most cubs) and routes/rides are pre planned and hardly ever altered. They are ALOT more serious(rules wise) than a group/bunch of mates, another benefit is that getting an entry to a race is almost guaranteed through a club as clubs usually get allocated a certain number of entries... In closing, either way if you love riding your bike, You wont mind whichever option you take... I ride every Saturday and Sunday(Early mornings too) and am based in the Southern Suburbs, on a Sunday I ride with a group who meets in the Southern Suburbs, You are more than welcome to join us.. DM me for details if you'd like.. Cheers...
Forbsie Posted October 13, 2016 Posted October 13, 2016 hi there.... I live in Boksburg and there is a few groups and clubs very active in the area. I didn't want to do the club thing, but ride with a group most mornings from Bicycle Line in Atlasville.... no strings attached... they ride every day except Mondays..... 2 different levels...depending on what you want to average.... different routes etc etc........ works for me... just want a ride with numbers - safer right!!! Works for me - but for others it might not..... suppose all depends what you looking for... sure you will find something.... good luck
blondeonabike Posted October 13, 2016 Posted October 13, 2016 I encourage you to join a club. Great motivation to keep you going!! I have met lots of great folks, some have become great freinds. I have found the "formality" of a club is really good for training for upcoming events. Certain things like Amashova are pinned on the calender and the training rides are adapted to train for these events. The club also gets entries for certain events, and it is great to ride as a team. I have also learned so much being around folks that have ridden for many years. Just listening to them chat on a ride about everything from gels to training programmes has been amazing. I knew nothing about road cycling ettiquette when I joined, and learning has helped me be a safer rider.
Jigghead Posted October 13, 2016 Posted October 13, 2016 I just find riding with other people, club or group makes life so much more fun. The additional knowledge gained from others, the chitchat before, during and after, the additional motivation, the safety issue... The upsides are almost endless, find a group or club that fits and your riding will become even better than it is already.
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