Road Cycling - Help! Solo or with a group?

On my last four rides I have run into individuals who belong to a local cycling group. They all told me I should join the group and enjoy the camraderie (sp?). Yet here they were out on their own!

So, my questions to the forum: why join a club? what do you get out of group rides? what makes a group ride better than a solo outing?

I remember Bicycling publishing a list of what you do in cycling dependent on your age group and mine (49) said Iwould join a club. I'm not so sure. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

:confused:

If you don't need, it why?

I just checked my riding log, and I figure about 16% of my riding is done with a group...and I love it! I am a firm believer in riding with those a bit better than you, makes ya work harder to get better. And, on more recreational rides, it is fun to ride and chat with other riders, and maybe help them a bit, too! This last weekend I rode in a recreational ride, and really had a blast! Met two ladies who just started riding this summer, and they are doing fantastic...I found that I was inspired by them! I am 53, and pretty much the oldest and newest rider, but I feel I owe a lot to my group rides!

When I started riding 20 years ago, I would ride during the week alone and then saturday and sunday with a club. Over the years, I've found that I now ride almost exclusively with others. It's the companionship from a group or even one other rider that keeps me riding and gets me out on those days when I'd just as soon stay home.

An example was yesterday morning when weather in my area was 42F and 20+ mph winds. It would have been so easy to forget about riding, but a buddy got me out in the AM for 15 miles and then a group "chili" ride got me out in the PM for another 25 miles. That's 40 miles that I would have "blown" off (no pun intended) if it weren't for the group. :)

Try it for a while and see if you like it. I don't, but obviously others do, or there would not be any groups.

Groups vary widely in their constituency and goals, from groups where a newbie would be completely our of place, to groups where a newbie would feel pretty welcome. So, moral is, if you are going to ride with a group, select one that is attuned to your goals, experience, riding style and speed.

Personally, I ride specifically for solitude and to "get away from the madding crowd." I like time to think my own thoughts and set my own pace, without having to consider anyone's needs or even having to talk with them.

To each his own!!

Originally posted by Eureka

So, my questions to the forum: why join a club?



Sometimes, if you are a member of a local club, you get discounts on club jerseys and stuff, you go on organized rides were they might have food afterward, parties. alot depends on the club you join and how oganized they are, but you get the idea.
If you just want to ride, joining a club can be too much. It all depends on the club you choose.

I have been and remain somewhat timid when considering joining a group. I think I am unsure of my stamina and a bit worried about having the skills to ride effectively near other riders.

I've only been riding for a little over a year and while objectively satisfied with my progress, subjectively, I tell myself I have a long way yet to go before I am ready for the exposure to a group of what I assume will be much better riders.

I have progressed to the point that I do ride regularly on Saturday with a friend. We usually do about 20 miles or so and end with a cup of coffee and a bagel.

Several invitations have been extended by 2 different groups. One is a small group, all in their 20's who regularly average nearly 20 MPH over a 2-21/2 hour ride. The other claims to have an "A" and "B" group. They describe the "B" group as recreational pleasure riders.

The description of recreational pleasure riders however, includes terminology such as "sprints," "intervals" and "hammering," though all are described as low intensity.

I think it will be yet a little while before this 51 year old will be in a group larger than 2:p

I enjoy both riding by myself, and riding with the club. Now, my club is a recreational club, not a racing one, and it usually offers a variety of rides each week--eight on the weekend and four for the rest of the week. So there are a lot of choices for distance, destination, and effort. When I want to work on a specific thing, have some training goal, or just want to follow a whim, I ride alone and have a great time. When I want to enjoy being part of a community, or test myself against better riders, I ride with the club and have a great time. Of course, one other benefit of being in a club is the knowledge base you'll have access to. There'll be wrenches and gearheads and touring gurus and racers, and during breaks and beer afterwards they'll be talking about cycling.

Originally posted by Soberone


Sometimes, if you are a member of a local club, you get discounts on club jerseys and stuff...

Some LBS's offer a discount to club members too.

Some clubs offer programs of interest to their membership. Some clubs also get involved in advocacy and trail-building, which help make the world better for all cyclists.

And then, I like group rides.

I ride solo during the week and enjoy riding with my group on weekends. Riding with a group is fiun and you learn group riding skills. Riding with a group also encourages you to improve, assuming the group is performance-oriented. I ride with a group that likes to ride briskly (20-22) in nice tight pacelines. Obviously we are not racers, but we have fun and take the time to teach new riders group riding skills.

But it is better to develop your own program, doing much of your riding solo so you do what you need to do.

Go on some of the local rides and check out the clubs in your area.

Every club is different. You may find the perfect club for you and your ability.

For fitness training, I live for my club's Tuesday night hammerfest. It makes me ride at an intensity I could never achieve alone.