How To Solve Cycling Loneliness: Join A Club!
Feeling apprehensive about joining a cycling club?
Perhaps you're worried about not being fit or fast enough. Perhaps you fear being left behind on bike rides, or perhaps you feel you couldn't commit to a full club programme each week.
However by not joining a club, you feel left out and lonely and could do with companionship. Even if you enjoy riding solo most of the time, it's only human to want that cycling companionship at some point.
Fears unfounded
All these things that you think will affect you when you join are actually unfounded. You are worrying about scenarios that rarely happen in a well orgranised cycle club. What you may not know is that in a cycle club most members will do everything to make you feel welcome. Cyclists tend to look out for each other, help each other and in a club you'll get so much support and encouragement. Obviously, a club will encourage you to be an 'active' member right from the word go, but it really is up to you what you want from a cycle club.
Most riders are like you
What many solo riders don't realise is that only a small percentage of riders in a club are actually 'active' or highly committed members, who go out on the Sunday club run each weekend. You may even find only a handful of riders actually racing during the summer. These are the members you hear most about, but are not representative of a club as a whole. This means then that the majority of cycle club members are simply riders LIKE YOU. If you're looking to get out and ride now and again with a few friends and want to have a chat, then you're 'more than ready' to join a cycle club!
What a club is all about
Joining a cycle club isn't about cycling ability - it's about 'connecting and sharing this great sport with like minded cyclists'. All you need to do when you join a club is ask around if there are like-minded cyclists you wish to go cycling with 'now and again'. It's really that easy. You will be surprised who 'comes out above the radar' to join you! You then have friends to go with to do training and go to events and never again do you have to feel lonely during the cold winter months when you're needing that extra bit of motivation and bike chat.
What type of club to look for
Ask your local bike shop which club is best in your area. Bike shops know which club is best and will be able to guide you. Ideally, you're looking for a club which caters for beginner riders. Most sizeable clubs have a beginners section and this will be straight forward for you to meet other cyclists of the same ability level. If there isn't an active beginners section, but the club is quite sizeable (50-100 members), then look for their club website and a club private forum. You should be able to connect with local cyclists for get togethers and bike rides. Look out for club social events too like: Christmas parties, AGMs, nights out, etc. You don't need to be the weekly 'social dude', but just going to one or two of these social events a month will soon establish a few long term friendships. Don't forget that you can also 'volunteer' to help out at club events which is an amazing way to make new friends, have a chat and feel part of everything.
Final words
You have nothing to lose joining a cycle club and only friends to gain. Remember, you are as ready as anyone to join a club and make friends. You just need to take courage and make that initial contact. When you do, you'll be doing yourself and your cycling the world of good and never have to crave companionship again - so go on, take courage and join a club today!
Perhaps you're worried about not being fit or fast enough. Perhaps you fear being left behind on bike rides, or perhaps you feel you couldn't commit to a full club programme each week.
However by not joining a club, you feel left out and lonely and could do with companionship. Even if you enjoy riding solo most of the time, it's only human to want that cycling companionship at some point.
Fears unfounded
All these things that you think will affect you when you join are actually unfounded. You are worrying about scenarios that rarely happen in a well orgranised cycle club. What you may not know is that in a cycle club most members will do everything to make you feel welcome. Cyclists tend to look out for each other, help each other and in a club you'll get so much support and encouragement. Obviously, a club will encourage you to be an 'active' member right from the word go, but it really is up to you what you want from a cycle club.
Most riders are like you
What many solo riders don't realise is that only a small percentage of riders in a club are actually 'active' or highly committed members, who go out on the Sunday club run each weekend. You may even find only a handful of riders actually racing during the summer. These are the members you hear most about, but are not representative of a club as a whole. This means then that the majority of cycle club members are simply riders LIKE YOU. If you're looking to get out and ride now and again with a few friends and want to have a chat, then you're 'more than ready' to join a cycle club!
What a club is all about
Joining a cycle club isn't about cycling ability - it's about 'connecting and sharing this great sport with like minded cyclists'. All you need to do when you join a club is ask around if there are like-minded cyclists you wish to go cycling with 'now and again'. It's really that easy. You will be surprised who 'comes out above the radar' to join you! You then have friends to go with to do training and go to events and never again do you have to feel lonely during the cold winter months when you're needing that extra bit of motivation and bike chat.
What type of club to look for
Ask your local bike shop which club is best in your area. Bike shops know which club is best and will be able to guide you. Ideally, you're looking for a club which caters for beginner riders. Most sizeable clubs have a beginners section and this will be straight forward for you to meet other cyclists of the same ability level. If there isn't an active beginners section, but the club is quite sizeable (50-100 members), then look for their club website and a club private forum. You should be able to connect with local cyclists for get togethers and bike rides. Look out for club social events too like: Christmas parties, AGMs, nights out, etc. You don't need to be the weekly 'social dude', but just going to one or two of these social events a month will soon establish a few long term friendships. Don't forget that you can also 'volunteer' to help out at club events which is an amazing way to make new friends, have a chat and feel part of everything.
Final words
You have nothing to lose joining a cycle club and only friends to gain. Remember, you are as ready as anyone to join a club and make friends. You just need to take courage and make that initial contact. When you do, you'll be doing yourself and your cycling the world of good and never have to crave companionship again - so go on, take courage and join a club today!
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