Fifty Plus (50+) - I joined the local Cycling club

A few of my friends are members of the local cycling club and they participate in some of the club rides. I have gone on a few rides with my friends that werent club rides and one Saturday I went on a ride with some of the club members, both of which were fun. I greatly enjoy my rides by myself, but I think it will improve my cycling skills to attend a few of the club rides. They ride two evenings a week and have a couple of different rides on Saturday mornings. You can go on any of the rides without joining the club but I feel like if I am going to participate I should pay for it. Also now that I have invested some of my hard earned money it will give me an incentive to take part in the rides to get my monies worth. My plan is to try to do one ride a week with the club depending on my work schedule.

:thumb: I joined a club not long after I took up roading. Made a big difference in my speed and endurance. The group was very mentoring, and intervals, pace lines, long rides, and social events really make for a lot of fun. And the group is very diverse. Ages range from 20s to 70s. Speeds from 15 to 30.

I think you will have a good time.

Another good reason to join a bicycle club is to learn about and participate in cycling advocacy activities. If those of us who love to ride bikes won't get involved in making bicycling safer, more convenient and better, who will?

I really like club rides - been a member of our club for the past 2 years. I found it helped motivate me to do some training. I doubt I will be riding with the real race crowd but I am starting to ride with the group that races from time to time. I can't hang with them for the entire ride, but my hang time is getting better - maybe next year I will be able to stay with them for an entire ride. The club rides also take me on routes I would not normally do alone - this weekend we are climbing Mt Greylock in Western Mass as part of a 70 mile ride - something I would never attempt on my own.

I hope it works out for you. Your reasoning semms sound. I for one would be interested in hearing how it works out over time. I'm not much of a joiner, but have thought about doing this. Just haven't found the right combination of reasons to maker the plunge. Perhaps your experince will help make the difference.

My plan is to join a club next spring, when Minnesota riders come out of hibernation. I too am not much of a joiner, but I think I'll benefit from the pacing. There's no point joining a club now, just as the season is winding down.