Is it Worth Paying to Join a Cycling Club?
#1
Broke With $$$ Hobbies...
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Modesto, CA
Posts: 115
Bikes: 98' Torelli Countach, 94' Specialized Sirrus, 82' Trek 730/736,
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Is it Worth Paying to Join a Cycling Club?
I have done a few group rides with my LBS and it is really fun! I recently found out that they have their own cycling club, but when I saw that it costs 180 per year I decided that I wouldn't do that. I am slowly coming back to the idea of joining. Are their any benefits to joining that you wouldn't have if you were on your own?
Website URL: https://www.ciclistasdelvalle.org
Website URL: https://www.ciclistasdelvalle.org
Last edited by thrasher9905; 10-16-15 at 04:25 PM.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Folsom, CA
Posts: 3,888
Mentioned: 32 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 417 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
what are you getting for $180 (e.g., club kit?)? that's a pretty steep price, so it should come with something.
what else does the club offer you for $180? is there a race side to the club as well?
what else does the club offer you for $180? is there a race side to the club as well?
Last edited by hack; 10-16-15 at 04:14 PM.
#4
Broke With $$$ Hobbies...
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Modesto, CA
Posts: 115
Bikes: 98' Torelli Countach, 94' Specialized Sirrus, 82' Trek 730/736,
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yes I think you get a few goodies like a jersey and stuff.. Here is a link to their site Funsport Bikes Cycling Team/Ciclistas del Valle | We promote cycling as a sport for fitness, health and enjoyment and help local cyclists develop advanced skills for participation in competitive and advanced non-competitive Road, MTB, CX, Track, and
#6
Nonsense
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Vagabond
Posts: 13,918
Bikes: Affirmative
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 880 Post(s)
Liked 541 Times
in
237 Posts
It looks like if you race enough their reimbursement policies offset the initial membership cost by a pretty decent margin. Add in bike shwag discounts and it seems like a decent deal, if you're positive you'll enjoy racing and do it often.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Upper Michigan USA
Posts: 186
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My last club (years ago) did not charge, but I had to buy jersey at considerable cost. Seems this club includes a jersey and bib/shorts with annual fee, which is about what those would cost anyway. If you're a serious racer they have a reimbursement program that sounds pretty good. If you want to be a member and have the coin, why not?
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Folsom, CA
Posts: 3,888
Mentioned: 32 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 417 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Yes I think you get a few goodies like a jersey and stuff.. Here is a link to their site Funsport Bikes Cycling Team/Ciclistas del Valle | We promote cycling as a sport for fitness, health and enjoyment and help local cyclists develop advanced skills for participation in competitive and advanced non-competitive Road, MTB, CX, Track, and
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,567
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1851 Post(s)
Liked 675 Times
in
427 Posts
If quality jersey and bibs are included, $180 is actually not a bad deal.
For my team, basic bibs and jerseys are about $70 a piece, so that's $140 right there. Then our team dues are $35. That puts us at $175. Granted we only require riders to purchase a jersey and not bibs. And many of us end up buying several kits each year, and I generally opt for the better, $105 bibs.
If you're also getting race reimbursements - We only give discounted entries to the events we put on - then you are coming away with a really good deal.
For my team, basic bibs and jerseys are about $70 a piece, so that's $140 right there. Then our team dues are $35. That puts us at $175. Granted we only require riders to purchase a jersey and not bibs. And many of us end up buying several kits each year, and I generally opt for the better, $105 bibs.
If you're also getting race reimbursements - We only give discounted entries to the events we put on - then you are coming away with a really good deal.
#11
Announcer
That's a pretty elaborate membership agreement. I had to snicker at the "tradition" that started in 2009. Not knocking it; our Club started in 1888.
Does that club change its kit design every year forcing you to spend more money on more clothing?
I know clubs that ride their riders for wearing last year's kit because it has the old sponsors on it. I find that ridiculous.
Does that club change its kit design every year forcing you to spend more money on more clothing?
I know clubs that ride their riders for wearing last year's kit because it has the old sponsors on it. I find that ridiculous.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Western MA
Posts: 15,669
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The supported rider program is good. The rest isn't so good. You don't even know if you're going to like racing. $180 + kit is a lot of money to shell out to find out. I'd find another club.
#14
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,275
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1428 Post(s)
Liked 697 Times
in
353 Posts
It almost seems like a pyramid scheme with the general members subsidizing the supported riders through the $180.
My current team has clothing, equipment discounts, and race reimbursement similar to this club, with no membership fee. I'd pass on these guys, unless I was being asked to join as a supported rider, and even then the structure just doesn't smell right.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
#15
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
You could always wait until January and hit up the Early Birds in Fremont. There might be some valley representation.
#16
Announcer
I don't fully understand why people need to receive stuff to race their bike. I think the only people who should be getting free stuff, entry fee reimbursement, or pro deals on bikes are college kids, up-and-comers, juniors who can't afford the expensive start-up costs of racing.
Especially annoying are Masters racers who want free stuff. Why are others subsidizing your hobby? What do clubs really provide to a sponsor?
Discounts in a store are fine because it guarantees traffic to a specific store. But people who want free stuff given to them? I don't get that.
The whole concept of sponsorship is a dead model, anyway. But that's a thread for a later time.
Especially annoying are Masters racers who want free stuff. Why are others subsidizing your hobby? What do clubs really provide to a sponsor?
Discounts in a store are fine because it guarantees traffic to a specific store. But people who want free stuff given to them? I don't get that.
The whole concept of sponsorship is a dead model, anyway. But that's a thread for a later time.
#17
Broke With $$$ Hobbies...
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Modesto, CA
Posts: 115
Bikes: 98' Torelli Countach, 94' Specialized Sirrus, 82' Trek 730/736,
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well, I am a high school student whom can't afford the expensive start up costs.
I don't fully understand why people need to receive stuff to race their bike. I think the only people who should be getting free stuff, entry fee reimbursement, or pro deals on bikes are college kids, up-and-comers, juniors who can't afford the expensive start-up costs of racing.
Especially annoying are Masters racers who want free stuff. Why are others subsidizing your hobby? What do clubs really provide to a sponsor?
Discounts in a store are fine because it guarantees traffic to a specific store. But people who want free stuff given to them? I don't get that.
The whole concept of sponsorship is a dead model, anyway. But that's a thread for a later time.
Especially annoying are Masters racers who want free stuff. Why are others subsidizing your hobby? What do clubs really provide to a sponsor?
Discounts in a store are fine because it guarantees traffic to a specific store. But people who want free stuff given to them? I don't get that.
The whole concept of sponsorship is a dead model, anyway. But that's a thread for a later time.
#18
~>~
This may sound like the maunderings of the elderly but "back when" I joined the local club that had the most experienced coaches and a record of podiums in all cycling disciplines.
Oddly enough it was about racing well.
-Bandera
Oddly enough it was about racing well.
-Bandera
#19
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,275
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1428 Post(s)
Liked 697 Times
in
353 Posts
I don't fully understand why people need to receive stuff to race their bike. I think the only people who should be getting free stuff, entry fee reimbursement, or pro deals on bikes are college kids, up-and-comers, juniors who can't afford the expensive start-up costs of racing.
Especially annoying are Masters racers who want free stuff. Why are others subsidizing your hobby? What do clubs really provide to a sponsor?
Discounts in a store are fine because it guarantees traffic to a specific store. But people who want free stuff given to them? I don't get that.
The whole concept of sponsorship is a dead model, anyway. But that's a thread for a later time.
Especially annoying are Masters racers who want free stuff. Why are others subsidizing your hobby? What do clubs really provide to a sponsor?
Discounts in a store are fine because it guarantees traffic to a specific store. But people who want free stuff given to them? I don't get that.
The whole concept of sponsorship is a dead model, anyway. But that's a thread for a later time.
I do question where the $180 is going.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
#20
Announcer
#21
Broke With $$$ Hobbies...
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Modesto, CA
Posts: 115
Bikes: 98' Torelli Countach, 94' Specialized Sirrus, 82' Trek 730/736,
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts