Cycling clubs - are you a member? Active?

[NotSoBigBen]

Leading on from the running thread and the club debate I just wondered how many cyclists are part of a cycling club and of those how many are active members i.e. go to group rides, socialise after events/rides, go to braais and other non ride activities ...

 

Speaking for myself, I am a member of a 'virtual' club and that only to get a licence I suppose. Next year I will hopefully take Scotty's direct join Gauteng option

 

I am not the social type person so don't want or need to have organised rides to join or after event beers or end of year parties ....

 

I know for many people the social aspect is critical and also are motivated by club rides to go training but as I said that's just not for me, you know like some people like Giants and others Pinarellos I suppose 

[Uni]

I join the slow rides the Dalpark guys do once in a while - they're not an official club - no membership fees, but they do organised weekly rides, and they're even planning a year end ride with family, and we have a 'club' shirt. Does that count? 

Like you I'm not really into the social aspects of riding  - they're a good bunch and there's one or two guys there that I can sit and chat and have a laugh with - but do I want to hang out with them and their families ... maybe not. Riding with faster people once in a while and getting some tips / tricks from them is good, and I guess that's why I'm there slowing them down. Also the banter on the whatsapp group is a laugh. 

[HOEKVLAG]

We are a fairly small club and on top of that most of the members are not active. I have however made some real good friends in the club and we would continue to cycle together whether we are part of a club or not.

[EmptyB]

Join in very occasionally on a club ride but don't usually hang around afterwards. 90% of my riding is solo or with one or two others.

[Fruity]

I've actually been thinking of joining a club one of these days. It's just something I never bothered to do in the past.

[Spoke101]

We started off as a group of guys who rode together regularly and then formed a club, The rest is history. 

[Dazshell]

As chairman of East Coast Cycling Club, one of the biggest clubs in KZN, it amazes me that we have over 200 members but the best we can ever get on a Saturday is about 50 - 60 riders just before a big race and Sundays are even worse.  Where is everyone else?  We cater for all strengths (A - D batch) and try and plan different and interesting routes every week.

 

We also do a month-end Long Ride of at least 100kms.  That gets 15 riders.

 

We have 2 fun family walk/rides a year (the weekend after Tour Durban and Amashova) to give everyone a chance to meet after all the training and the best we get is 30 people.

 

Our annual Spring Ride to mark the start of the riding season (where the club pays for breakfast afterwards) attracts 50 people at best.

 

What is well attended is the socials after every major race (Tour Durban, Amashova and after CTCT) where we can get up to 80 people.

 

A club is what you make of it and speaking to some of the other clubs, as much as I get despondent that we can't get everyone riding together, they are amazed at just how many we do get.

 

For me, there is nothing better than getting together with a whole bunch of fellow members, all in club kit, enjoying the best riding weather in SA and then going for breakfast or even just a coffee afterwards.

[Kranswurm]

As chairman of East Coast Cycling Club, one of the biggest clubs in KZN, it amazes me that we have over 200 members but the best we can ever get on a Saturday is about 50 - 60 riders just before a big race and Sundays are even worse.  Where is everyone else?  We cater for all strengths (A - D batch) and try and plan different and interesting routes every week.

 

We also do a month-end Long Ride of at least 100kms.  That gets 15 riders.

 

We have 2 fun family walk/rides a year (the weekend after Tour Durban and Amashova) to give everyone a chance to meet after all the training and the best we get is 30 people.

 

Our annual Spring Ride to mark the start of the riding season (where the club pays for breakfast afterwards) attracts 50 people at best.

 

What is well attended is the socials after every major race (Tour Durban, Amashova and after CTCT) where we can get up to 80 people.

 

A club is what you make of it and speaking to some of the other clubs, as much as I get despondent that we can't get everyone riding together, they are amazed at just how many we do get.

 

For me, there is nothing better than getting together with a whole bunch of fellow members, all in club kit, enjoying the best riding weather in SA and then going for breakfast or even just a coffee afterwards.

If you want to know where they all are,they are riding MTBs.Over the years as a committee member and social ride and race organiser the shift was patently obvious

[RocknRolla]

Not a member of a club, never have seen the need to ride with other people, or do a social ride for that matter.

 

I was for a short time a member of Rockhoppers, purely for a CSA license (what a lot of crock, the license, not the club)

 

I can however see the benefit of a club, especially for riders starting out. Humans are a social species, and there is a lot of sheep mentality that goes with that.

( I mean this with the utmost respect)

 

I have recently met, and rode with some of the Esmero guys, both MTB and Road. They as far as I can ascertain, is still very much a traditional club, in terms of scheduled rides, support etc etc.

Personally, the benefit would be from a road perspective, joining a club ride in order to learn the ropes. A lot like what Pikey and Patch is trying to achieve with the other thread.

 

Club socials etc etc... not my thing.

[Frosty]

Being with a club doesn't restrict me to having to ride with them week in and week out, but I do more often than not.

 

A few thumbs up:

• Always someone to ride with;
• Backup in the event of punctures, mechanicals, etc. The Lido bunch don't stop, and you'll find yourself on your own - safety in numbers doesn't mean it's safe though;
• Find guys of similar ability to train with, and race;
• I wouldn't stop for coffee at our locale, but drink at home instead. Skinner stories and a few good laughs are always welcome.

A few thumb down:

• Training can be affected, as you're expected to ride with the group and not do your own thing;
• It's hard work keeping everyone happy - if on the committee;
• Can't get to ride the best organised event on the calendar.

 

We have lots of members, and also a core group of regulars. One has to accept that people may want to be part of a club, but can't commit, or only need it to licence, etc.

[Dazshell]

If you want to know where they all are,they are riding MTBs.Over the years as a committee member and social ride and race organiser the shift was patently obvious

And here's where it gets interesting.  ±50 of the members claim to be mountain bikers.  We plan a weekly ride for them too.  Best ever turnout in ideal conditions - 17, usually no more than 6 or 7.  We gave up on Sunday club rides for them as there are too many races to compete with.