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How to Find and Vet a Bike Club

05.25.2024 by Scott Jangro // Leave a Comment

Joining a bike club can be a fantastic way to enhance your cycling experience, meet like-minded folks, and improve your skills. But how do you choose the right one? Here’s a guide to help you vet a bike club and find your perfect fit.

Why Join?

First things first, why should you join a bike club? Well, being part of a club can offer a sense of community and camaraderie. It’s a great way to stay motivated, learn from others, and explore new routes. Plus, it’s always more fun to ride with friends than alone!

What Do You Want from the Club?

Before you start looking for a club, think about what you want to get out of it. Are you looking for social rides, competitive racing, or just some company on your weekend jaunts? Knowing your goals will help you find a club that aligns with your interests.

How to Find a Club

Finding the right club can be easier than you think. Here are some great ways to start your search:

  1. Ask at a Local Bike Shop: Bike shops are often hubs for the local cycling community. The staff usually know about nearby clubs and can provide recommendations based on your interests and skill level.
  2. Look on Strava: Strava is a popular app among cyclists. You can join local cycling groups, see their activities, and even connect with club members. It’s a great way to get a sense of the club’s vibe and activities.
  3. Search on Facebook: Many bike clubs have Facebook pages or groups. These can be excellent resources for finding out about upcoming rides, club events, and member experiences. You can also join discussions and ask questions directly.
  4. Check Meetup.com: Meetup.com is a platform for organizing and finding local groups. Search for cycling meetups in your area. These groups often welcome newcomers and host a variety of rides catering to different skill levels.
  5. Local Community Boards and Parks: Community centers and parks sometimes have bulletin boards with information about local clubs and events. It’s worth checking these out, especially if you prefer in-person over online searches.
  6. Word of Mouth: Don’t underestimate the power of word of mouth. Ask friends, coworkers, or acquaintances who cycle if they know of any good clubs. Personal recommendations can often lead you to the best fit.

ABC Groups

Many clubs divide riders into groups based on skill levels, often labeled as A, B, and C groups. A groups are typically for advanced riders who love speed and endurance challenges. B groups are for intermediate riders looking for a good workout without the intense pace. C groups cater to beginners or those who prefer a more relaxed ride. Find out which group suits your level and interests.

Drop and No-Drop Rides

Another important factor to consider is whether the club offers drop or no-drop rides. Drop rides mean that if you can’t keep up, you might be left behind. No-drop rides ensure that no one gets left behind, which can be reassuring for newer riders. Decide which type of ride fits your comfort level.

Exposure to Other Types of Biking

Some clubs focus solely on road biking, while others might offer a mix of disciplines, including mountain biking, cyclocross, or racing. If you’re interested in trying out different types of biking, look for a club that provides that exposure. It’s a great way to diversify your skills and find new passions.

Family-Friendly?

If you have a family, you might want to join a club that offers family-friendly events and rides. Some clubs organize rides that are suitable for kids and beginners, making it a great way to spend time with your loved ones and introduce them to the joys of cycling.

Instruction: Riding and Maintenance

Lastly, check if the club offers any instructional sessions. Many clubs provide riding clinics, maintenance workshops, and safety courses. These can be incredibly valuable, especially if you’re looking to improve your riding technique or learn how to take care of your bike.

My Experience

I was a member for several years in the Minuteman bike club in metro west Boston. It was an amazing experience. I learned new routes, was pushed to my limits on many rides, especially when I moved up a level for a little “extra”. The group was very inclusive, motivating, and generally friendly. I did join with some friends, so we had a small group within the group, which helped a lot confidence-wise. The camaraderie and support made a huge difference, and I always looked forward to our rides.

Final Thoughts

Joining a bike club can significantly enrich your cycling experience. By considering these factors, you’ll be well on your way to finding a club that meets your needs and enhances your love for biking. So, get out there, vet those clubs, and happy riding!

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Categories // Community, Rides

Bike Noob All Over Again

09.07.2017 by Scott Jangro // 5 Comments

After about 2 years off the bike (with an occasional failed attempt to get back at it), I’m back on with renewed interest and desire.

Long story short, one word actually: divorce. Pretty much put all of life on hold.

That’s enough about that.

After that long dark period, I’ve landed in Colorado, South of Denver in a beautiful valley looking at the front range. It’s basically not possible to not want to get out on the bike. This is what I look at every day.

Goodbye tree-lined, sea-level, country roads; Hello open road, mesas, mountains and altitude

So riding in Colorado is a whole new game. In Massachusetts I lived at 127 feet above sea level. In Colorado, 6600 ft. I can’t say that I have ever felt altitude sickness, thankfully, but I’m feeling very out of shape climbing the hills around here. And I’m going to blame altitude, okay?

That’s from my ride yesterday. 20 miles, over 2000 feet of climbing. Down there in the valley is home, and I’m heading back. This is the start of a 2 mile descent of 5-10% (which I also climbed on the way out.) Going down was more fun. Or terrifying since I peaked at 45 mph.

That’s enough of this re-intro post, though I’m truly feeling like a noob again. Here’s yesterday’s ride on Strava. Why not follow me?

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Categories // Rides

A Feeling Like No Other

04.11.2015 by Ray Niekamp // 4 Comments

It’s been a long and frustrating hiatus from biking. My bronchitis just wouldn’t go away. The fact that I approached like a typical guy didn’t help any — a typical guy would do nothing but take some throat lozenges and hope for the best. That’s what I did. And although my wife was after me to see the doctor, the Mayo Clinic’s website says you don’t need to see a doc until you’ve had the bronchitis for three weeks. If it hasn’t cleared itself up by then, maybe an intervention is called for.

I took solace in the fact that I coughed a little less each day. Aside from the coughing, I felt normal. But the lack of cycling exercise contributed to an overall sluggish feeling that I couldn’t wait to shed. Finally, I could do it.

Friday dawned with heavy local rain. I figured my plans for a ride later that afternoon would have to be put on hold yet again. I gave a presentation at the university on our new system for creating online classes, then kept an appointment with a new faculty member whom I met through a mutual friend. By the time we took our leave of each other, the rain had long since stopped, and things were almost dried out already.

At home, I walked around outside a bit, and noted with satisfaction that the sun was breaking through the remaining cloud cover, and starting to warm things up. It took just a few minutes to change into my biking clothes, pump up the tires, and venture onto the neighborhood streets.

For my first ride back after a four-week layoff, I decided to head over to the Veloway and do a few laps. The road to the Veloway, which also leads to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, was solidly lined with cars for its entire length — about a half mile — on both sides. It’s spring, and this year, Texas is having the finest explosion of wildflowers I’ve seen since arriving here 15 years ago.

Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush set off a MAMIL along a back stretch of the Veloway.
Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush set off a MAMIL along a back stretch of the Veloway.

I did three laps around the Veloway, then headed home. Modest mileage — 15.2 miles — for a ride of almost exactly one hour. I rode steadily, only pushing it in a few spots, and not for very long there, so my Strava feed showed no trophies for any of my segments — as if I cared. The layoff hasn’t adversely affected my riding. That is, I never felt as though I was working hard. Well, I was pretty huffed by the time I got to the top of the HEB hill less than a mile from home. But I can be pretty huffed on that thing even when I’m in condition. That pesky little four-tenths of a mile, gentle but steady climb does test the rider.

So what? I’m back. It was great to be in the saddle again, great to be out on the familiar roads. Riding a bike is a feeling like no other, and I’ve missed it.

Looks like we’ll have rain for the rest of weekend. I might miss it some more.

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Categories // Rides Tags // illness, Veloway

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