Southern California - Thinking of joining a club/team in So-Cal need advice

(already posted on So-Cal bike forums incase you responded there)

I was off the bike for a few months due to illness but am feeling better and starting to ride again. As soon as I'm a 100% I was hoping to join a local team or club, people to ride with and hopefully race with next season. Do any of you have any teams/clubs you think would be worth looking into. I'm not super strong right now but I'm really dedicated and as soon as I'm totally better I'll be back to training probably between 100-200 miles a week. I was thinking maybe La Grange?

Go to the websites of the clubs closest to you and find out when and where their rides are. Show up to some rides until you find a group that you like and that rides at convenient places and times for you. Then join the one that has the coolest jersey.

Paa and SC Velo are both great clubs. Good overall programs with a wide range of abilities within them. I would probably give the nod to PAA though, just out of sheer size.

Paa and SC Velo are both great clubs. Good overall programs with a wide range of abilities within them. I would probably give the nod to PAA though, just out of sheer size.
Why should someone go with a club just because they are bigger? We put on a better race. We also might have more 5s.


Seriously, PAA is probably better for him because of his location. Check SC Velo out though.

Curious on how you "join" SC Velo... I am going back to racing next season and also looking for a new club. I talked to the guys at the sponsor bike shop (Incycle), but they directed me to the website...

Decide what your goals are first and then find a club/team that matches those goals. / Go into any local bike shop. Pick up the So. Calif. Bicyclists they give away listing SO Cal cycling events. It will list all major bike clubs throughout So Cal...

just pick the one that is close to you.
SC VELO is scvelo.com and you can email them. Do you go to the Rose Bowl ride on tues/thurs? You can talk to any of the guys on various teams.
For SC Velo, Demi (sometimes rides a tandem, drives a big lt blue ford van) is always there in the parking lot after the ride you can grab his ear.

There's always a bunch of PAA OG's around that you can ask too.

LaGrange is westside, maybe not the best to meet for rides and stuff.

Curious on how you "join" SC Velo... I am going back to racing next season and also looking for a new club. I talked to the guys at the sponsor bike shop (Incycle), but they directed me to the website...

The bike shop sponsors the team, but has little to do with the organization of the club. The "guys" you talked to are probably mechanics or sales guys who more than likely don't belong to the club. I bet you went to the Chino store, since you are from the Riverside area. The only guy in there that rides for the club is the owner, who also runs the junior team, and I know he wasn't in much this last week. Check the website, SCVelo.com. If you can't find out how to join there, PM me and I will send you what you need.

Explain joining a club to me. What are the benefits and requirements? Do you have to be a certain skill level? dues? etc

Paa and SC Velo are both great clubs. Good overall programs with a wide range of abilities within them. I would probably give the nod to PAA though, just out of sheer size.


Do either of those teams work on team tactics and if they off race reimbursement? Not to knock my current team but they don't offer either one. Always nice to get a few perks when joining a team.

Explain joining a club to me. What are the benefits and requirements? Do you have to be a certain skill level? dues? etc

You simply need to be able to ride a bike. There are no skill level requirements. The club is there to help you advance as a rider/racer. The benefits very from club to club, but some include weekly organized training rides, race reimbursements, a cool-looking team kit, etc.

The question is what are you looking for in a club/team?

Paa and SC Velo are both great clubs. Good overall programs with a wide range of abilities within them. I would probably give the nod to PAA though, just out of sheer size.


Do either of those teams work on team tactics and if they off race reimbursement? Not to knock my current team but they don't offer either one. Always nice to get a few perks when joining a team.

I know PAA use team tactics. That's the main advantage to a large team. Teams with 2 or 3 riders out there can't implement a team strategy as well as a group of 5-10. Smaller teams can often make alliances with each other, though.

You simply need to be able to ride a bike. There are no skill level requirements. The club is there to help you advance as a rider/racer. The benefits very from club to club, but some include weekly organized training rides, race reimbursements, a cool-looking team kit, etc.

The question is what are you looking for in a club/team?


Some also get discounts at an LBS, which can be nice, too.

I looked at SC Velo but there was no info on their site or rates or benies, or even a sign up forum.

Oh yeah. I guess I forgot about that one since our shop discount is pretty weak.

I know PAA use team tactics.i've seen them use them, i've just never seen them work:lol:

i've seen them use them, i've just never seen them work:lol:
lol yeah but that seems to be the case in 99.9% of all tactics used in Cat 3/4/5 races. I'm still waiting to see a Cat 4 break stick.

Why should someone go with a club just because they are bigger? We put on a better race. We also might have more 5s.


Seriously, PAA is probably better for him because of his location. Check SC Velo out though.

Well he said he was a begining rider and a larger club generally means there is going to be a wider range of skills. PAA has a number of racers, but also a number of club riders for someone just getting into racing shape. No doubt about it that you guys put on a better race, but the club seems more directed towards the more serious racers.

i've seen them use them, i've just never seen them work:lol:

I have. It doesn't happen very often, but at least once or twice this season it has helped them out.


lol yeah but that seems to be the case in 99.9% of all tactics used in Cat 3/4/5 races. I'm still waiting to see a Cat 4 break stick.

Bicycle Johns crit break stayed away
Del mar crit solo rider stayed away
RR obviously stay away often
that's all I can think of off the top of my head this year, there might have been more.
Cat 3's break's have been sticking much more often lately from what I've heard.

I have. It doesn't happen very often, but at least once or twice this season it has helped them out.

Bicycle Johns crit break stayed away
Del mar crit solo rider stayed away


Gee.. I can't remember who was in those.

Generally, you just want to introduce yourself to someone on a team. Find out what their recruiting process is. Some clubs will let you sign up on the spot. Others will want you to ride with them so they can decide if you're a fit. Others are restricted to age and/or category, depending on what squads they have.

Gee.. I can't remember who was in those.
Probably some sandbagger :D