Are you a Member of a Bike Club?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,163
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 344 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 20 Times
in
18 Posts
Are you a Member of a Bike Club?
Not a Race Team or Race Club, but a local cycling club. I'm just curious who are members here. I am: Columbia Cycling Club, Tennessee
The club I am a member of does have folks who race bikes, but it is not a specific racing only club. There are MTB, Road and Triathlete members. But most are folks who like to get together and ride. We organize one century a year, a MTB race and a Tri race. And of course we have Saturday morning rides and one night ride a week.
Cheers
The club I am a member of does have folks who race bikes, but it is not a specific racing only club. There are MTB, Road and Triathlete members. But most are folks who like to get together and ride. We organize one century a year, a MTB race and a Tri race. And of course we have Saturday morning rides and one night ride a week.
Cheers
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,515
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3241 Post(s)
Liked 2,512 Times
in
1,510 Posts
You know what the first and second rules of Bike Club are. You don't talk about Bike Club.
Likes For seypat:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 781
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 479 Post(s)
Liked 277 Times
in
156 Posts
Have been for about 10 years. We - five of us - actually created it 10 years ago. We have a mix - A, B, C, groups, mountain, road, gravel... some guys race, most don't. We have club rides several days each week. Very informal - no dues, but we do have a club kit.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
I am on a race team, so by your definition, I am not on a club. But we do club-like things: we have folks who like to get together and ride, we have a summer pool party and BBQ, and a family holiday light ride. But mostly we talk smack on the team FB page.
#6
Should Be More Popular
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 43,027
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 560 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22571 Post(s)
Liked 8,918 Times
in
4,152 Posts
Yes. West Chester Cycling Club. I think we have about 400 members. On most Saturdays in the good weather, you can choose from up to a dozen different rides of varying length/pace. There are also a few Sunday rides and even weekday ride options.
p.s. if anyone in beautiful Chester County PA is interested, here is a link to the club site: WCCC Main
p.s. if anyone in beautiful Chester County PA is interested, here is a link to the club site: WCCC Main
Last edited by datlas; 09-05-19 at 10:59 AM.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
Posts: 2,668
Bikes: 2023 Canyon Aeoroad CF SL, 2015 Trek Emonda SLR, 2002 Litespeed Classic, 2005 Bianchi Pista, Some BikesDirect MTB I never ride.
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 647 Post(s)
Liked 136 Times
in
89 Posts
No
#8
well hello there
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Point Loma, CA
Posts: 15,430
Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 503 Post(s)
Liked 336 Times
in
206 Posts
Yes. But only to support them by paying a membership fee every year. I rarely participate.
__________________
.
.
Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
.
.
Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
Likes For Nachoman:
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Posts: 6,201
Bikes: ...a few.
Mentioned: 47 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2010 Post(s)
Liked 408 Times
in
234 Posts
Not currently, but thinking about it for next year. Right now I am connect to a couple of large groups riders and we go out regularly to do group rides. We are not quite as organized in our schedule as a club, nor in the structure of our rides, but it is nonetheless lots of fun.
#10
• —
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Land of Pleasant Living
Posts: 12,213
Bikes: Shmikes
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10147 Post(s)
Liked 5,840 Times
in
3,144 Posts
Back when I was racing, I joined a club and paid dues for the various benefits they offered, including the local weekday crits and TTs, but I never "rode with them." Riding with a racing club "wasn't a thing" back then. Now I'm a member of something completely amorphous that seems to exist mainly no Strava and Facebook (where I do not have an account), but I ride with them all the time. Go know.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 8,550
Bikes: Wilier Izoard XP (Record);Cinelli Xperience (Force);Specialized Allez (Rival);Bianchi Via Nirone 7 (Centaur); Colnago AC-R Disc;Colnago V1r Limited Edition;De Rosa King 3 Limited(Force 22);DeRosa Merak(Red):Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Hydro(Di2)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 551 Post(s)
Liked 277 Times
in
145 Posts
I don't want to be a part of a club that would have me as its member.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Palm Desert, CA
Posts: 2,504
Bikes: Speedvagen Steel
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 429 Post(s)
Liked 248 Times
in
156 Posts
I’m a member of 2 clubs.
Desert Bicycle Club (cycleclub.com), about $45 per year. They do a social a few times each year which I don’t generally get to go to. I like to support the club and although guests are always welcome, if you’re a member then you’re also covered by their secondary medical insurance if injured in a club ride.
the club has a ton of rides practically every day geared to a variety of riders including visitors to the valley (we’re a tourism centric location with Palm Springs, Palm Desert, etc). A Saturday ride in season could easily see 100 riders which we break down into different rides of course.
very good group, lots of fun. I usually do 3 group rides each week a couple of which may be splinter cells of a larger ride that may be getting a little agro. Overall a great club, every now and again one of the faster Saturday rides folks will get a little too competitive which has been a turnoff for that ride.
the other group that i support is the Salton Sea Triathlon club. Obviously a Tri based club but most of us local riders partake as well because they do some great community activism like road clean up sponsorships and such. Their kits are also way more fun than the other!
Desert Bicycle Club (cycleclub.com), about $45 per year. They do a social a few times each year which I don’t generally get to go to. I like to support the club and although guests are always welcome, if you’re a member then you’re also covered by their secondary medical insurance if injured in a club ride.
the club has a ton of rides practically every day geared to a variety of riders including visitors to the valley (we’re a tourism centric location with Palm Springs, Palm Desert, etc). A Saturday ride in season could easily see 100 riders which we break down into different rides of course.
very good group, lots of fun. I usually do 3 group rides each week a couple of which may be splinter cells of a larger ride that may be getting a little agro. Overall a great club, every now and again one of the faster Saturday rides folks will get a little too competitive which has been a turnoff for that ride.
the other group that i support is the Salton Sea Triathlon club. Obviously a Tri based club but most of us local riders partake as well because they do some great community activism like road clean up sponsorships and such. Their kits are also way more fun than the other!
#13
LBKA (formerly punkncat)
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Jawja
Posts: 4,299
Bikes: Spec Roubaix SL4, GT Traffic 1.0
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2208 Post(s)
Liked 960 Times
in
686 Posts
I was a member of a local bike club. Among the perks for being a member was an accident insurance policy with a flat rate payout. There was a large group of competitive riders and racers so for the A group it was very strenuous. Even the B group challenged it's posted averages. I finally convinced them to allow me to start a slow group and led it for two years. Was really nice and helped build the ranks of the club a bit as people moved up.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Palm Desert, CA
Posts: 2,504
Bikes: Speedvagen Steel
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 429 Post(s)
Liked 248 Times
in
156 Posts
I was a member of a local bike club. Among the perks for being a member was an accident insurance policy with a flat rate payout. There was a large group of competitive riders and racers so for the A group it was very strenuous. Even the B group challenged it's posted averages. I finally convinced them to allow me to start a slow group and led it for two years. Was really nice and helped build the ranks of the club a bit as people moved up.
#15
Uber Goober
Lone Star Randonneurs and Randonneurs USA- the local and the national randonneuring clubs.
Greater Dallas Bicyclists- the normal bike club where I live
Fort Worth Bicycling Association- the club on the other side of the metroplex, minimal involvement for me, but still a member.
In the past- UMCA, Ultra-Marathon Cycling Association, the national long-distance racing club, forget what the current name is, and can't remember if I'm still a member or not.
Adventure Cycling- the touring group, haven't really done any touring, but it's a cool magazine for the membership.
Greater Dallas Bicyclists- the normal bike club where I live
Fort Worth Bicycling Association- the club on the other side of the metroplex, minimal involvement for me, but still a member.
In the past- UMCA, Ultra-Marathon Cycling Association, the national long-distance racing club, forget what the current name is, and can't remember if I'm still a member or not.
Adventure Cycling- the touring group, haven't really done any touring, but it's a cool magazine for the membership.
__________________
"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."
"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 9,201
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1186 Post(s)
Liked 289 Times
in
177 Posts
I live in a suburb of Vancouver and we have a loosely organized group with about 50-60 members on an email list. No dues and no one liable for anything. We do have our own kit. 2-3 rides/wk with about 10-20 usually showing up on Sat. A number of us make an annual cycling trip to Europe or someplace warm - great friends and many memorable rides.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 6,016
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1814 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 923 Times
in
569 Posts
Yes. Put on it's 57th century ride this year- longest running in the US? I've led a bunch of rides but lately just show up for them.
The slower rides particularly get a big turn out & a thriving social scene.
I also belong to the club to the North, which is big, with multiple weekday & weekend rides. I get up there occasionally.
Also a smaller local club where I attempt and fail to keep up with a fast group.
The slower rides particularly get a big turn out & a thriving social scene.
I also belong to the club to the North, which is big, with multiple weekday & weekend rides. I get up there occasionally.
Also a smaller local club where I attempt and fail to keep up with a fast group.
#18
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
I've been a member of different cycling clubs since 1998.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#19
Senior Member
Yes, the Potomac Pedalers club in the DC/MD/No. VA area. I do 6 or 7 group rides with them each year, and you don't have to be a member to do so. I'm not active other than that, but pay the dues to support the work they do around cycling in this area.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: WNY
Posts: 3,098
Bikes: Factor O2, Caad10, Caad2
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 365 Post(s)
Liked 122 Times
in
78 Posts
Yes. Niagara Frontier Bicycle Club. A couple of morning and evening rides scheduled every weekday and a couple of morning rides scheduled each weekend. Great club with a lot of great members. Some racers, ex-racers, non racing folks and some just to ride a bike. They host a few parties each season and a few century rides.
#22
Newbie racer
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 3,406
Bikes: Propel, red is faster
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1575 Post(s)
Liked 1,569 Times
in
974 Posts
We have local "race teams" where only about half the people ever race, and only half of those race frequently enough to notice.
I think the US could sorely use an improved club scene. It fuels advocacy. It improves rider safety and participation. It gets cyclists closer to the community. It gives riders of all levels more to do and more to look forward to without depending on large "fondo" or events organizations.
There is a yearly membership club local to us that also does races, but their group rides are just a bit outside of the range of what I'd like to drive to/from for a ride. Also, it's a bad setup for a "club" in that none of the weeknight rides start or end somewhere people can chat together afterwards. They just get in their cars and leave.
Also locally, I don't see a lot of strong leadership on rides or leading groups of people. Kind of just post up online some routes and paces and folks randomly show up and randomly do stuff. Nobody talks protocol, route changes, rarely is a lead or sweep chosen.
The hammer rides are worse. Leadership amounts to who is the biggest wang swinging ass. Meaning, no guarantee of any kind of decorum, rules, safety, or organization. Just some ass who likes to control "who's in" their cliq and who's not. Nobody takes the reins to announce sprint points or route changes or protocol of any kind. There's a difference between being the fastest ass and being a leader.
If I had to join one, it would be the one that's a bit too much drive and doesn't have a meetup afterwards. I've tried it out once or twice on a chill and well regimented A-group paceline ride and they had their **** together really well. Website, calendar, routes listed with paces, ride leaders who announce protocol and rules, the leaders will watch/enforce the rides, they have structured training rides led by leaders with experience in doing them, etc...........
Just my $0.02.
#23
minimalist cyclist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,745
Bikes: yes please
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1119 Post(s)
Liked 1,638 Times
in
943 Posts
Yes and one of the main sponsors is a funeral home Actually the owner is one of the members, and you couldn't ask for a more laid back small town club. Very welcoming and no dues. They accept my C&V interests, and my preference for platforms since joining another club I really didn't want to join....Tombay.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hacienda Hgts
Posts: 2,100
Bikes: 1999 Schwinn Peloton Ultegra 10, Kestrel RT-1000 Ultegra, Trek Marlin 6 Deore 29'er
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 821 Post(s)
Liked 1,955 Times
in
941 Posts
I frequently start my rides before dawn. No clubs are out that early.
I was interested in a couple of local clubs but reviewed their routes. Boring!!!! Their choices of roads were poor and did not interest me.
I was interested in a couple of local clubs but reviewed their routes. Boring!!!! Their choices of roads were poor and did not interest me.
#25
LBKA (formerly punkncat)
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Jawja
Posts: 4,299
Bikes: Spec Roubaix SL4, GT Traffic 1.0
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2208 Post(s)
Liked 960 Times
in
686 Posts
This particular group had an A/B/"C" ride group when I started with them. The A and B both did "no drop" ride days but ALWAYS splintered into two or three actual groups with a sweep. The C group was listed as a no drop ride, with a sweep, but often didn't really happen that way. Their posted averages were 12-14 and it often ended up being a 16 more like B. The group I worked to form would probably have been considered a D pace 10MPH ride. Generally speaking I would lead out and if anyone significantly fell behind we would have them lead such that the rest of us paced off them. Our distance was easily modified with the addition (or not) of a loop around the racetrack, so ended up being between 18 to around 25 miles according. If anyone was unable to maintain pace to finish the ride in daylight, one of the people who knew the route, or myself, would turn back with them.