New to the Club
Hi there - I am new to the board and just bought my first road bike. I am thinking of joining the club and noticed that the info states that all levels are welcome, but how many beginners actually attend? I am an active person but this will be my first season with a road bike and am a bit nervous and may need some pointers... is that more how the beginner group works?
Any info is appreciated!
Thanks!
Hey Erin,
Scott has basically covered everything in his reply. Just keep checking the website for updates for the start of the spring road riding. It should be a great year for new members learning to road ride. We have a number of new programs in place including the learn to ride program. This will help build confidence with all the new rdiers we have so they feel comfortable riding in groups.
Last year we had over 100 active members and have already signed up 19 new members this year. It should be a great year for new members and the active club members.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.
Blake
When I first joined the club I found it very accommodating to beginners. The Tuesday night group ride (beginning when daylight hours permit) is organized into a wide range of ability based groups. This allows you to ride with other people at your skill / fitness level, and is a great way to improve your riding. There's also a series of learn to ride clinics held in the spring where an experienced club member will instruct you on how to ride in groups, and give you additional pointers on how to ride effectively. Usually there's a group of 5 or 6 new riders who attend the clinic.
Hope this helps.
Hi Erin:
I echo all the comments others have contributed in their replies. I started out with the club a couple of years ago. No need to be nervous. Everyone is a beginner sometime. I will recommend, however, that you get out on the road cycling as soon as the roads dry up to get your cycling legs ready and to get used to your new bike. You should then be ready to join the other beginners when the club rides start up (usually early April).
In the mean time, feel free to post questions here. You can ask about anything (equipment / clothing, routes, etc...).
See you in the spring,
Mel
Hideous drop bar 29ers on road tires.........
It's rumoured that I might be seen on one this year.....
Drew
Hi Erin. This will be my first season on a road bike as well. I was wondering how many beginners would come out. It is nice to know I won't be alone. I have been an avid soccer player and mountain biker for years. Anyone have any suggestions what kind of bike I should get. Looking at spending around 2k. I appreicate the feed-back. I know king street cycles sponsors the club, so I will make sure I have alook there as well. Cheers
Prey for spring
Hi Erin, Hi Viper.
Another Newbie here also. I am looking to get a new Road bike before spring. Quite possibly we will meet in the Tuesday group then. I have not riden in a group ride before and I am new to road cycling. Looking forward to meeting and riding with you all.
Dave
Erin, Viper, Dave - Welcome!
I think we're going to have a great group of road rookies this spring. I'm all for supporting local vendors, but you might find the selection a little slim depending on what you are looking for in a road bike. You may want to check out the Toronto International Bicycle Show this spring:
http://bicycleshowtoronto.com/
Not sure what makes it International, but in past years there have been some great deals.
Give the club a try - we had some great group rides last year and I need lots of wheels to draft behind on Tuesday nights!
Craig
Hey all you newbies welcome to the club! Hope to see you all out there!
Thanks ceejaymac for the show info. I didn't even know it existed. I will check it out and see what they offer there. I like buying local too if I can. I just don't want to make a bad decision on my first road bike. I'm really looking forward to riding with everyone this year. Sounds like it is going to be a great group. Can't wait for spring.
I'll be joining the newbie club crew too! Can't wait to get out and hit the pavement with you guys.
thanks for all the replies everyone! i am glad that there are a few other newbies along with me :) i just went through the registration so i am good to go! Looking forward to meeting everyone and cant wait until spring time!
Another newbie! Looking forward to getting to know everyone!
Welcome to the club Erin. This will also be my first with the Waterloo Cycling Club. Looking forward to seeing everyone throughout the year. :)
I'll be mailing in my waiver and cheque soon as well. Newbie +1
2004 Specialized Allez Elite (new to me last fall!)
1994 Kona Cindercone (original owner from 94)
Hi WCC folks, I am new to the club too, although I do know some of the members such as the legendary Slav (with the first name starting with an 'I') and have met Scott S. a few times too.......
I've been on a few of the trail building days at the cut so I'm sure I'll recognize some other faces when I come out for events and rides.
and the rumour in post#5 is true.....
I've done 4 hours or so on the trainer with the drop bars in place and for the first time ever experienced no hand numbness even after an hour of boring zone 2 work.....
To tell the truth, although I'm not at all slow, I'm a little scared of the whole idea of group riding on pavement.
The only pacelines I've ever done were on MTBs with maybe 4 or 5 of us tops, on pavement and knobbies. This was years ago with Cyclepath on Wednesday rides when we were riding pavement to get to and from the trails.
Obviously being in a whole pack of people on much faster machines is a little intimidating to a newbie such as myself.
Drew
Hi Drew. The club is really hoping to give new members a positive experience this year. Related to this, I'd urge you to watch for updates on the website a little closer to Spring about our Tuesday evening learn to group ride sessions. We're hoping to help riders like you.
Cheers
Scott Nevin
Is there any way to pay online for the membership? I was a member 2 years ago and went on only a few rides. I found communication to be pretty poor and rarely heard about events. I sent my money and waiver in by mail last year and never got a reply. I was too busy to care to get my money back. No one from the club even bothered to see why I hadn't joined again (even though I had tried). Im an MTB trails rider and I want to get into some racing this year. I'm still open to joining this year, but not if its going to be a waste of my money again. Why should I join?
Yes you can pay online.....but why would you pay for a service you didn't receive ....??
Being proactive and assertive often helps things out. I just joined myself, and found the folks here to be friendly and helpful with issues, questions, and riding in general.
I met some hardcore folks out on the road way out past Bamberg a few weekends back and ended up having a great ride and day, despite the below zero temps.
You ask 'Why should I join?' which I can't really answer, but the main reason I joined is to get faster off road, by riding road instead.
The guys who are fast off road aren't giving up their secrets to me, but I'm certain a lot of what they have is fitness. From what I've heard the WCC roadie set is fast, which is just the kind of masochism I need in order to get faster myself.
Drew
Hi Erin,
This year is THE year to join if you are just starting out. We already have committed group leaders for all the rides we've posted (both road and MTB). The club is pulling out all the stops to attract new people. Brouchures and everything this year! I personally have only been a MTB rider for the past few years but I am going to start road riding this year. All the organizers have recognized how critical is is to bring on new members.
The Tuesday road ride is structured to have multiple levels. That's the one I'll be learning the ropes on in the spring. Once we achieve the basics, at our own pace, we can progress to one of the faster groups. No one gets left behind :) Please try it this year, I'm certain you won't be disappointed.
We just posted the Spin 12 signup today. Please have a look at that event. It's free for club members although we're hoping that everyone gets a few pledges. $200 in pledges will get you a WCC Jersey and a spin 12 shirt. ALL of us are new to spin 12 and it's going to be a fun way to get started early this year.
Please don't hesitate to post any questions here, email info@waterloocyclingclub.ca, or contact me directly.
Cheers,
Scott