A good club will make an effort to be friendly to beginners. Why? Well that is where your new members come from! Also, it is nice to have someone join as a rookie and become a dedicated and knowledgeable cyclist.

Now, I would avoid clubs with any emphasis on racing. In these clubs there is a sort of understanding that you have a basic skill set and level of conditioning when you join. You want a club that caters to anyone who rides a bicycle.

The more experienced riders should take you under their wing. They will give you pointers on clothing, pacing, drafting, bike handling, maintenance and on the road repairs. A rider's learning curve is much steeper in a club then solo.