Cycling Clubs

+1

Did you know that they don't actually own RP?

No , but by Royal decree handed down by Henry VII they are entitled to use the royal park anyway they like.For example they do not have to abide by any of the rules that other users ( "peasants" as the Royal Dyanmo refer to them) have to .Apparently when riding in a " train" thay are entitled to ride so close to "peasants " that they can knock them over without a word of apology, apparently its "just good sport". Also they have total priority over car users in the park, if for example a car is approaching a roundabout and is turning right with priority over any other traffic and a number of dynamos are approaching from the opposite direction , then they do not have to stop and are fully within their right to hurl abuse at said driver as apparenlty everyone must "stop and bow down to the royalty" when approached.

I have a certain distaste for much of the dynamo as I live approx 100 yards from RP and have to put up with their arrogant attittude to other park users on an almost daily basis.

I am sure that most of them are actually ok but they do seem to attract the odd complete cnut...

^^^

I've got a lot of love for club cyclists, but not as much as these two:

i don't think it's just cycling. club sports attract these people. i used to play cricket, but the tossers thinking they were in a test match put me off.

I have been in 2 cycling clubs, Brixton CC and Rollapaluza CC. Both are very casual, and the club runs are like club runs are supposed to be, no bull-shit, a bit of banter and companionship.

There are frequent complaints about cycling club runs being if not downright hostile, then at least unfriendly. It seems to me that if you are going to organise a group-ride, then the least you can do is try to ensure that the group rides as, well, a group. On the Rollapaluza rides, which I lead, we try to make sure that no-one gets too far ahead, and no-one gets too far behind. That way no-one has to spend too much time waiting, and no-one gets too dispirited by watching wheels disappear up the road 25 times. Also, if you ride as a group, you can chat.

This requires a little discipline, but ultimately leads to warm feeling of Rolling As One.

Most people are cunts. Why should cycling clubs be any different?

@ the thread in general.

I went out with Rollapaluza for my first ever club run yesterday, led by Bill.

It was my first ride of any size since being off the bike for 7 weeks and I needed an easy pace and not too many miles.

Needless to say, it was brilliant. There were five of us riding, and all of the other 4 looked after me and made sure that I only really got dropped once (the last hill of all, thanks Klaus!).

When I got home, having done 60 miles, I was exhausted and I had pushed my knees a bit too far, too quickly, but I loved it all, had met a group of great new people and was eager to go out again. I didn't even have to pay for my own tea and cake at the stop in Epping Forest :-)

I think you may want to try a different club.

Can I just say that I object to the prevalence of 'cunt' as a term of abuse... its just plain wrong. Cunts are beautiful, lovely, wonderful things. And you ALL came from one (unless delivered by C section I guess).

So there, you schmucks.

Needless to say, it was brilliant. There were five of us riding, and all of the other 4 looked after me and made sure that I only really got dropped once (the last hill of all, thanks Klaus!).

.

Yeah, that was brutal. Phew, thanks, but no thanks Klaus!

Can I just say that I object to the prevalence of 'cunt' as a term of abuse... its just plain wrong. Cunts are beautiful, lovely, wonderful things. And you ALL came from one (unless delivered by C section I guess).

So there, you schmucks.

Oi! Schmucks have feelings too, y'know...

@mashton/Bill - what hill was that then? I'm jealous.

Daws Hill. We did it after tea-stop, so legs had gone a bit stiff, and stomachs a little bloated. Didn't seem to affect Rene, Kasper and Klaus, tho...

Godamn foreignengers.

I like Dawes Hill (usually just cos it's such a relief to get off the Sewardstone Rd!). We'll have to take the bunch up Lippits and Mott St soon...

there's a constant debate at my club (Dulwich) about how to make sure that new riders are welcomed, and there are different rides on different days for new/established/sport riders. (Saturday rides are the social/leisure ride - 30/40 miles at a cruise).

I know that Addiscombe are also very good at this. Other clubs vary. Dynamo seem to be universally loathed (but I'd be interested to hear their side of the story!).

there's a constant debate at my club (Dulwich) about how to make sure that new riders are welcomed, and there are different rides on different days for new/established/sport riders. (Saturday rides are the social/leisure ride - 30/40 miles at a cruise).

I know that Addiscombe are also very good at this. Other clubs vary. Dynamo seem to be universally loathed (but I'd be interested to hear their side of the story!).

I think it is really important to welcome new riders, and make sure they are looked after. Especially if the new rider doesn't really know anyone else in the club too well. One of the problems with club runs is accomodating a range of abilities/fitness. Rollapaluza isn't at the level yet, but we were speculating about having two runs, with a similar 1st 10/last 10 but with a longer option - so that we still all meet together and finish together but the fitter riders get a harder ride.

But I think that's still a way off for Rollapaluza!

I would still be interested to hear what Dulwich Paragon do - they have a really good rep, and many people recommend them.

I like Dawes Hill (usually just cos it's such a relief to get off the Sewardstone Rd!). We'll have to take the bunch up Lippits and Mott St soon...

Yeah, Sewardstone sucks. Not least because every cab driver in London seems to live on it.

i must say the club runs with Rollapaluze always very enjoyable and welcoming to new riders. i apologize for the last hill yesterday. next time tea and cake on me and no bread pudding for myself

dulwich social ride is a great intro ride. i have a friend who fondly refers to the paragon as the 'dulwich paraplegics' on account of their incredibly low average speed for the 30 mile loop.

i apologize for the last hill yesterday. next time tea and cake on me and no bread pudding for myself

Oh, it serves me right for switching you on the 1st hill sprint! :-)

Clubrun or training ride? There's a difference.
Clubs. There's a difference. Dynamos have a rep for serious training, take no prisoners, loads of attitude. Willesden CC is very chilled out, loads of older members, lots of Audaxing, etc. Rollapaluza is very chilled but that's only because I've not had the chance to showboat and half-wheel on any clubruns yet.

Riding a Langster you should expect to get grief. Especially riding it anywhere near roadies. HTFU.

This Dave Moulton (an excellent bike blog, which I am sure is well known to most of you) on club runs:

http://davesbikeblog.blogspot.com/2007/11/british-club-run.html

Oh, it serves me right for switching you on the 1st hill sprint! :-)

better not mention that here otherwise ... :Rollapuluza that friendly club with welcoming coach Bill occasionally caning/switching pupil on climbs

Riding a Langster you should expect to get grief. Especially riding it anywhere near roadies. HTFU.

That's bull shit excuse for being rude. If a new person turns up to any event even if there is something they do that is a running personal in joke if someone starts off being intimidating and rude as was mentioned in the opening post it is just some rude bastard who must have an inferiority complex. If they had been riding and chatting for a bit (i.e had a nice welcoming hello, chat about the ride e.t.c) and someone drops a little joke in a friendly manor that is different but by more or less greeting someone with the kind of snobbery posted above (in the op) is prime twat behavior.

Rollapaluza is very chilled but that's only because I've not had the chance to showboat and half-wheel on any clubruns yet.

SHow-boat? Show-pony, more like.

better not mention that here otherwise ... :Rollapuluza that friendly club with welcoming coach Bill occasionally caning/switching pupil on climbs

:-)

That's bull shit excuse for being rude. If a new person turns up to any event even if there is something they do that is a running personal in joke if someone starts off being intimidating and rude as was mentioned in the opening post it is just some rude bastard who must have an inferiority complex. If they had been riding and chatting for a bit (i.e had a nice welcoming hello, chat about the ride e.t.c) and someone drops a little joke in a friendly manor that is different but by more or less greeting someone with the kind of snobbery posted above is prime twat behavior.

Yeah, but that is, unfortunately, what a lot of the 'racing' cyclists in this country are. Narrow-minded gits, who wonder why it is that the sport has been dying on its knees for the last 40 years...

The sport is hard enough as it is, without all the fing bull-shit snobbery and back-stabbing. I mean, it's no so long ago that roadies used to refuse to acknowledge MTBers, FFS. Road racing is so hard that if you are not really fing determined, you will almost certainly quit after your first race, without some encouragement and help. That encouragement and help should come from your more experienced club members, starting with your first club run.