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Is it Worth Paying to Join a Cycling Club?

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Is it Worth Paying to Join a Cycling Club?

Old 10-16-15, 04:01 PM
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Is it Worth Paying to Join a Cycling Club?

I have done a few group rides with my LBS and it is really fun! I recently found out that they have their own cycling club, but when I saw that it costs 180 per year I decided that I wouldn't do that. I am slowly coming back to the idea of joining. Are their any benefits to joining that you wouldn't have if you were on your own?

Website URL:
https://www.ciclistasdelvalle.org

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Old 10-16-15, 04:06 PM
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what are you getting for $180 (e.g., club kit?)? that's a pretty steep price, so it should come with something.

what else does the club offer you for $180? is there a race side to the club as well?

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Old 10-16-15, 04:11 PM
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180 isn't worth it for any of the clubs around here.
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Old 10-16-15, 04:24 PM
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Yes I think you get a few goodies like a jersey and stuff.. Here is a link to their site Funsport Bikes Cycling Team/Ciclistas del Valle | We promote cycling as a sport for fitness, health and enjoyment and help local cyclists develop advanced skills for participation in competitive and advanced non-competitive Road, MTB, CX, Track, and
Originally Posted by hack
what are you getting for $180 (e.g., club kit?)? that's a pretty steep price, so it should come with something.

what else does the club offer you for $180? is there a race side to the club as well?
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Old 10-16-15, 04:33 PM
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looks primarily like a Racing club from their application form. $180 is pretty steep.
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Old 10-16-15, 05:07 PM
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It looks like if you race enough their reimbursement policies offset the initial membership cost by a pretty decent margin. Add in bike shwag discounts and it seems like a decent deal, if you're positive you'll enjoy racing and do it often.
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Old 10-16-15, 05:38 PM
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no

edit: not for $180 anyway
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Old 10-16-15, 06:01 PM
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My last club (years ago) did not charge, but I had to buy jersey at considerable cost. Seems this club includes a jersey and bib/shorts with annual fee, which is about what those would cost anyway. If you're a serious racer they have a reimbursement program that sounds pretty good. If you want to be a member and have the coin, why not?
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Old 10-16-15, 06:59 PM
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If you get a jersey and bibs, frequent the shop, and get along with the guys on the team, I'd say go for it. The $180 is a steep ask, but it offsets the kit price. Also, in your neck of the woods, options are pretty limited (BRE Cycling is another mid-valley team) and it's nice to be able to ride with the guys you'll ultimately be racing with.
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Old 10-19-15, 08:37 AM
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If quality jersey and bibs are included, $180 is actually not a bad deal.

For my team, basic bibs and jerseys are about $70 a piece, so that's $140 right there. Then our team dues are $35. That puts us at $175. Granted we only require riders to purchase a jersey and not bibs. And many of us end up buying several kits each year, and I generally opt for the better, $105 bibs.

If you're also getting race reimbursements - We only give discounted entries to the events we put on - then you are coming away with a really good deal.
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Old 10-19-15, 08:55 PM
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That's a pretty elaborate membership agreement. I had to snicker at the "tradition" that started in 2009. Not knocking it; our Club started in 1888.

Does that club change its kit design every year forcing you to spend more money on more clothing?
I know clubs that ride their riders for wearing last year's kit because it has the old sponsors on it. I find that ridiculous.
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Old 10-21-15, 06:47 PM
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The supported rider program is good. The rest isn't so good. You don't even know if you're going to like racing. $180 + kit is a lot of money to shell out to find out. I'd find another club.
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Old 10-21-15, 08:14 PM
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pickings be slim in that part of the state if you want to ride local with fellow clubbers
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Old 10-22-15, 07:30 AM
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Originally Posted by shovelhd
The supported rider program is good. The rest isn't so good. You don't even know if you're going to like racing. $180 + kit is a lot of money to shell out to find out. I'd find another club.
This.

It almost seems like a pyramid scheme with the general members subsidizing the supported riders through the $180.

My current team has clothing, equipment discounts, and race reimbursement similar to this club, with no membership fee. I'd pass on these guys, unless I was being asked to join as a supported rider, and even then the structure just doesn't smell right.
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Old 10-22-15, 11:38 AM
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You could always wait until January and hit up the Early Birds in Fremont. There might be some valley representation.
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Old 10-22-15, 11:58 AM
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I don't fully understand why people need to receive stuff to race their bike. I think the only people who should be getting free stuff, entry fee reimbursement, or pro deals on bikes are college kids, up-and-comers, juniors who can't afford the expensive start-up costs of racing.
Especially annoying are Masters racers who want free stuff. Why are others subsidizing your hobby? What do clubs really provide to a sponsor?

Discounts in a store are fine because it guarantees traffic to a specific store. But people who want free stuff given to them? I don't get that.

The whole concept of sponsorship is a dead model, anyway. But that's a thread for a later time.
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Old 10-22-15, 12:03 PM
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Well, I am a high school student whom can't afford the expensive start up costs.
Originally Posted by EventServices
I don't fully understand why people need to receive stuff to race their bike. I think the only people who should be getting free stuff, entry fee reimbursement, or pro deals on bikes are college kids, up-and-comers, juniors who can't afford the expensive start-up costs of racing.
Especially annoying are Masters racers who want free stuff. Why are others subsidizing your hobby? What do clubs really provide to a sponsor?

Discounts in a store are fine because it guarantees traffic to a specific store. But people who want free stuff given to them? I don't get that.

The whole concept of sponsorship is a dead model, anyway. But that's a thread for a later time.
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Old 10-22-15, 12:04 PM
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This may sound like the maunderings of the elderly but "back when" I joined the local club that had the most experienced coaches and a record of podiums in all cycling disciplines.
Oddly enough it was about racing well.

-Bandera
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Old 10-22-15, 12:46 PM
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Originally Posted by EventServices
I don't fully understand why people need to receive stuff to race their bike. I think the only people who should be getting free stuff, entry fee reimbursement, or pro deals on bikes are college kids, up-and-comers, juniors who can't afford the expensive start-up costs of racing.
Especially annoying are Masters racers who want free stuff. Why are others subsidizing your hobby? What do clubs really provide to a sponsor?

Discounts in a store are fine because it guarantees traffic to a specific store. But people who want free stuff given to them? I don't get that.

The whole concept of sponsorship is a dead model, anyway. But that's a thread for a later time.
I don't disagree with that. I typically don't take my race reimbursement, so there's more left in the pot for others.

I do question where the $180 is going.
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Old 10-22-15, 01:04 PM
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Originally Posted by thrasher9905
Well, I am a high school student whom can't afford the expensive start up costs.
All right. You're in.

But when you turn 45 and have a job with a 6-figure salary, I'll insist you pay your own way.

If I'm alive then.
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Old 10-22-15, 01:41 PM
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You have my word
Originally Posted by EventServices
All right. You're in.

But when you turn 45 and have a job with a 6-figure salary, I'll insist you pay your own way.

If I'm alive then.
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