On yesterday morning's Stan's ride, a guy suggested I check out Pasadena Athletic Association (PAA.) I went to the website, and to me, it looks like it's a club that charges $35/year to have access to their yahoo group where they post their group rides.

Does anyone here have any experience with PAA? I'm not inclined to join at this point.

I know that they go to races together and support each other well. Most of my interaction with them has been at the Baker to Death Valley road race last year and this, where they had a team van, people in the feed zone, etc. Sounds like a good club to me. What more do you want for $35? You probably also get clothes and discounts with sponsors if they are like most other clubs.

You can also meet many of them if you show up at the weekly Sat morning Montrose ride.

They're a great club-- I was a member for years and would highly recommend them if you live nearby. There are a lot of other things you get besides the yahoo group-- there are presentations every month at the club meetings that are pretty interesting, fairly regular opportunities for coaching, a lot of group rides besides the people showing up on Montrose and at the RB.

I used to hang with two women who were part of that club, and they loved it and only had great things to say about it. :)

You also get discounts at local bike shops, too.

There are a lot of cool guys with the PAA, and the president is a very good guy. The Yahoo group has a ton of members, which means you'll know of a lot of group rides, and you'll meet a lot people. It's worth the $35 bucks. I'm not a member, but a lot of guys I know are.

Is this group mostly seriously strong riders, or more recreational?

Is this group mostly seriously strong riders, or more recreational?

full range. there are rides for hardcore racers, rides for totally recreational people, and everything in between.

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I'm more inclined to join, now.