Considering going for a 'club ride', but have an old bike, nothing like the bikes I see the club riders with.

Question

Will my bike let me down? I cycle plenty of miles each day and I'm a good engine. Do all club riders have posh new bikes? Mine's a bit rattly, should I remove all the rattly parts[just the big ole mudguards really]? Or should I forget it, and carry on the solitary riding in my own vintage bike land? What do you reckon people?

Answer 1

The bike is only as good as the person who is riding it. If you're a keen and reasonably fit cyclist and your bike is roadworthy and safe to ride you needn't be worried about what anyone else is riding.

Answer 2

just ride with the club, if they are true to the spirit of cycling they will welcome you and then drop you on the first hill.

The purpose of club rides is to test your engine, connect with other people and get an honest assestment of your abilities and improve.

the bike is only needed for transportation so who cares what it looks like.

Answer 3

Depends a lot on where you are and the club.

Here, the Tuesday and Sunday rides are mainly social rides, all included.

the Saturday ride and the Thursday rides ar for intermediates (16mph sustained)or better.

I can only maintain 14.5 so, would be left behind.

If you are in Southern-Cal or Boulder COL, better know a bit about the club and the ride.

If in small towns or the club is known to be social, you Will be OK.  but if it is a bunch of racers, check more before going.. just go on a nice ride somewhere else.  

Bad cyclists being jerks, can spoil a riding day just like bad car drivers.

Answer 4

BEWARE! Like camera clubs, bike clubs are rife with snobbery. I have a lovely late 80's Holdsworth i rescued from a tip and restored, but a bike shop laughed me out of the building.

The fact is you have a love for the hobby like me, so i would tread carefully. Its so easy to be put off by idiots.

Test the water first mate.

Answer 5

join the club, no they don't all have new bikes,i live on the A6 in the north of england, and see clubs riding by all weekend. those lads do it for the enjoyment, and spirit of the sport.and besides they'll soon give you advise on improving your bike...<^><...

Answer 6

No your bike will be fine.

Answer 7

Worry not about it. Joining the club should be done for fun, so, have fun.

A friend of mine from overseas came to visit us, we had schedule a long bike ride with a club. We were going to cancel since he did not have a bike (he is a top cyclist). Well, he rented one, to come along. The simple most city oriented bike of the lot. Needless to say, he ended up among the first in the ride.

At the end, it is more the rider than the bike.

So enjoy, ride, and have fun.

Answer 8

Just go for it, go with the club.

No one is going to care what your bike is like as long as it is safe and you can you can keep up.