Cycling Clubs

I don't really know why the Dynamoes get such a hard time. I did a whole bunch of their sunday club rides last year to train for a couple of triathlon's and a sportive and thought they were completely fine - to my knowledge no-one was ever dropped and the only mechanical which caused an issue was some bloke who turned up on tubs, wasn't carrying a spare and flatted.

Sound to me that you were far from being a newbie. Out of interest what bike did you ride out on.

I'll be on an 80's Holdworth with Shimano Exage and a total of 14 gears and downtube shifters, would I get the same reception as your good self do you think?

at that point i was a newbie to club rides - so the whole bunch riding etiquette was new to me - although i take your point that i didn't particularly worry about being dropped.
in terms of the kit that you turn up on - i never saw any 'ageism' or anything like that. As far as i could tell, as long as the bike was fit for purpose i don't think anyone cared.
But... if you turn up on something that is clearly badly maintained or not suited to the ride (a bmx/polo bike etc) then you will get some odd looks. But this will only be because no-one wants to spend a precious sunday morning stood on the side of the road waiting for someone who has either turned up equipped for the wrong sport or on something held together by road grime and hope.

I like that "held together by road grime and hope". I think my Holdsworth will just about get by then, I'll clean the chain as a special effort and make sure I have my race blades fitted.

If I can keep up on Reynold 501 I can keep up on anything.

Basically, make sure your bike is roadworthy, especially brakes and gears. If its sound mechanically you should have no issues.

501 though dude, I feel your pain....

I'm still trying to convince myself that the heavy training bike will make Sportive/Race day feel like a walk in the park.

The bike is completely roadworthy, I do 120 miles a week on the beast at the moment to and from work while my fixed is awaiting a new chainset.

There's plenty of love here....come and get it!!

There are also some obnoxious unloveable shits on here.

I'm one of them.

There are also some obnoxious unloveable shits on here.

I'm one of them.

Everyone needs loving.....

I have a particular aversion to triathletes. Running and swimming are wrong.

Unless you are being chased by zombies and a river stands between you and safety

I have a particular aversion to triathletes. Running and swimming are wrong.

is this an aversion or inability!! :-)

I can swim...its just the cycling and running I have the problem with!!

Don't be corrupting this peaceful fixie skiddie kiddie zone with your elastic laces and pre-lubed wet suits.. god damn sickos.. speak to Dammit, I've heard he like to tri..

Unless you are being chased by zombies and a river stands between you and safety

I normally ride or drive home to North London from Herne Hill.

Triathlon = Drive, Ride, Pub?

Anyways, can hardly class myself as a Triathlete....only done about 5 events.....I wanna get my fixie up and running now, Got my dodgey wheels today....and now started rubbing down the frame and sawing random bits off.....such fun!!!

I have a particular aversion to triathletes. Running and swimming are wrong.

I'm with you on that one Clive, although in a moment of madness last week I signed up for a triathlon next year

Unless you are being chased by zombies and a river stands between you and safety

Walk and wade, walk and wade.

Zombies in movies are always that bit slower than the heroes. You just need to make sure your not the friend of a hero who dies at the end of the second reel - if that happens, you become a zombie actor and you have to spend the rest of your career in The Bill.

in a moment of madness last week I signed up for a triathlon next year

Good Lad!!!

I'm just back from my first ride out on the Kingston Wheelers Club Run.

It was with a really nice friendly bunch, did about 40 miles taking in Box Hill. I suspect I'll be there again next week, I had a really good time.

My down-tube shifters were the only real problem... reaching all the way down there in wet crappy-surfaced downhill sections got the old heart racing.

To bump up an old relevant thread.

Moving to Streatham Hill soon and looking to join a club, road cycling. Any recommendations, on something semi serious but also fun, friendly and enjoyable. Accepting of young people, being 21 and not with old stuff attitudes.

Thanks.

Accepting of young people, being 21 and not with old stuff attitudes

I'd be interested to hear more about unacceptable 'old stuff attitudes'

Almost every club I've come across would like to welcome new young members, but most seem to fall short of what young people require. Your advice could be very useful.

You would be welcome to come on a Hounslow club run (search for Hounslow & District Wheelers for web site), but I think Streatham might prove to be too far to get to our Staines Bridge rendezvous).

Sorry, I was over zealous in my expression. I've no negative personal experience at all, I was just voicing some concern, as in life sometimes older, more knowledgeable, experienced people can be a little unwelcoming. However, my point is, I want to be part of a friendly, fun club that loves cycling.

Thanks for your offer, but I fancied something more local, as I know there will be, as I'd like to benefit from the social side too.

Vcl

Hounslow and District is a lovely club to ride with.

A huge wealth of knowledge and experience, no snobbery and utterly welcoming. Very good but relaxed riding discipline, always supportive of anyone who is struggling and there is great banter. Plus they know ALL the good cake stops.

Cycling Club Hackney is great. (I would say that, as I'm a member.) Very active, lots of talented youth riders coming through (including the forum's own Tao Geoghegan-Hart, who's on the Olympic Talent Team), Sunday club runs and lots of other events, including grass track racing.

http://www.cyclingclubhackney.co.uk/