Newbie - and some questions I hope you can help with!

[Jess]

Firstly - Hello

I have recently got back into cycling - bought a bike about 8 weeks ago, mostly just for commuting (all of 4 miles across york...) anyway, I wanted a bit of a challenge so I signed up to do a coast to coast ride for charity. Did a bit of training and then did the ride (Grange over sands to Scarborough) last weekend. 160 miles in 3 days, probably 30% of it off road.

Anyway (I WILL get to the point) it was hard work (really) but I absolutely LOVED it and I found I was a stronger cyclist than I thought I was.

Now I am back I think I would like to do a lot more cycling - but I have no idea what sort to do (road/off road) whether to join a club or not (I'd like some new friends to ride with) and I quite fancy the idea of time trials.

Trouble is, I only bought a hybrid bike as I was just planning on commuting. Can't afford to buy another just yet but it is a bit rubbish! Is that a problem if joining a club?

Also, I have never been part of a cycling club til now (grand old age of 30) so I'm a bit new to it all. Can anyone talk me through the benefits? And how good do I need to be?

Thank you - sorry it turned out so long....

[MarkA]

Welcome Marmite

A good starting point is the special page on the website called "getting started"

http://www.cliftoncc.org/static.php?con ... ng_started

This will hopefully answer a few of your questions

I wouldn't worry about the hybrid - i think i saw Andy Wilkinson just broke Anfield 100 record on one

I appreciate all hybrids are not the same but if you keep your tyres up to pressure should be ok.

Willys easy riders would be a good start - keep an eye on the discussion board or if you drop me a personal message will pass on your email address.

You could do worse than turn up to Exhibition Sq where there is normally a good turnout on a Sat morning - just ask for Kevin.

Its a shame you just missed the Come and Try It time trial. But if you did feel like joining Clifton (or any other affiliated club) there are a few Thurs night events left which pride themselves as being friendly and low key.

Affiliations is just one of the benefits of membership plus organized rides / websites like this / discounts at shops / feeling part of a club / clothing etc. We are of course happy for non members to turn up and try out the different rides but would hope you will join eventually.

We are fortunate that we have an active membership who also view joining as an opportunity to put something back into the sport. Also to come up with new things for club to get into and the MTB side has really taken off in last few years. We are currently looking at how to develop the next generation of cyclists.

If you cannot find information on the website just drop a note here.

Hope to see you out on the road (or off road!)

[Jess]

Thanks MarkA - that's really helpful

I'll get some miles under my belt & then maybe tag along to a saturday ride & see how I go from there

Thanks again

[willhub]

Thanks MarkA - that's really helpful

I'll get some miles under my belt & then maybe tag along to a saturday ride & see how I go from there

Thanks again

On Saturday go on Kevin's group. You don't need many miles under your belt to start I certainly did not when I first started. I think you've got plenty of miles in to be able to do Kevin's group.

[Amanda Vipond]

I am the one to answer this! I joined the club in the winter and was initially so nervous about turning up I felt sick. I was convinced the lycra clad, carbon frame brigade would resent me holding them up. I thought I'd need to phone a taxi to get me back from Easingwold.

I have never felt unwelcome!

I love it. My cycling has improved hugely! Still slow I now have no concerns about 60 miles. I have even been Time Trialling (and the kit at these is a whole new league! When you realise that someone's front wheel cost more than your bike you reflect on life!). Most are just on ordinary bikes giving it their all for 30 minutes.

Join Kevin's group on a Saturday. He will look after you - he is fantatstic. You will get called Charlie and if you turn up in mountain bike gear you'll not hear the last of it. Expect to be out all day and bring moeny for lunch. If he offers you a Mars bar - eat it - he has detected that you are about to bonk and he will be right. Listen to his advice.

On the subject of bikes - the Saturday groups are road cycling groups. A hybrid with road tyres pummped up will be fine - but if it is more at the mountain bike end of the hybrid spectrum you may struggle unless you are very fit.

I thorougly recommend it! I'm not cycling for the next few Saturdays - but expect to see you soon! You'll have a new road bike and have moved into the next group by then!

Amanda

[Jess]

Oh - thank you for the replies!

That makes me feel a whole lot better

Will not be able to give it a go this weekend as I am doing horsey things but next weekend I will give it a try.

Sadly my hybrid is more mountain bike style but I think I can sustain 14mph for a few hours on it so would that be ok?

Can't believe I bought a hybrid, now I've got into it seems like a silly thing to have done. The benefit of hindsight....

[pkolton]

Does Kevin's group go out *every* Saturday? I joined the club a couple of weeks ago and I'm thinking of going along this Saturday (8th August).

Bought my first road bike about three months so I think I'm ready for a group ride now.

Can I ask a really dumb question though?
If the ride includes a cafe stop does that mean that people lock up their bikes when they're inside, or leave someone to watch them???

Also, how long does the ride normally last? Just want to be able to set some expectations at home as to when I'll be around!

[willhub]

Does Kevin's group go out *every* Saturday? I joined the club a couple of weeks ago and I'm thinking of going along this Saturday (8th August).

Yes Kevin's group does go out every saturday 10PM from the square.

Can I ask a really dumb question though?
If the ride includes a cafe stop does that mean that people lock up their bikes when they're inside, or leave someone to watch them???

Some people lock there bikes up but mostly where they go it's safe enough to leave em or you sit where you can see the bike, some people take those small locks with them that are very thin and easy to break but they detract from nicking em.

Also, how long does the ride normally last? Just want to be able to set some expectations at home as to when I'll be around!

Well Kevin's rides are around 50-60 miles but you could add abit extra onto that I supposed if you are going to be cycling to and from the square.