New cycling club in my area

Hey, good news! A new cycling club (the only one I know if that will probably not be a good 'ol boy network) is being started by a local outdoors store. I checked out the by-laws and they seem a little rule-bound, specifically the part about who can join and how they can be expelled. I come from a more "cooperative" group background, where the "rules" are really guiding principles instead of rules. My question is, is this typical cycling club stuff?

Here's an excerpt and a link, http://www.teamlewisandclark.com/docs/bylaws.pdf:

Oh, if it makes a difference, there are plans for teams in mtb, road, triathlon, and adventure racing. Maybe they have to comply in some way for competition?

Karen

Quote:

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The organization gives consideration of prospective members using the following criteria.
The prospective member shall:
1. Have proper and necessary equipment at the time he/she requests to join the Club and/or Team.
2. Be willing to volunteer and promote the goals of the Club and Team.
3. Commit to community service Club and Team funded projects.
4. Commit to participate for a minimum of four (4) hours in all Club and Team projects of the following nature:
a. Community service projects sponsored by the Club and/or Team. A member can substitute his
commitment by finding and individual to stand in and fulfill his/her commitment.
b. Volunteer at racing events sponsored by the Club and/or Team. A member can substitute his
commitment by finding and individual to stand in and fulfill his/her commitment.
The Board of Directors reserves the right to take into account the place of residency of the prospective member, in
terms of proximity to Fayetteville, Arkansas for the reason of ensuring the prospective member can meet Club and/or
Team commitments and have a positive influence on team camaraderie.
2.4. Approval
All prospective members are presented to the organization for approval. In the case of an objection, the member will
be presented to the Board of Directors for approval of admission.
A member shall be considered in good standing when he/she meets requirements considered satisfactory to the Board.
2.5. Suspension and Expulsion
2.5.1. Suspension
Any member may have their title temporally suspended by the Board by a majority vote of the Board. In the event of a
tie, the movement shall fail. The period of suspension shall be decided by the board and shall not be longer than one
year.

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Looks to be organized a lot more along the lines of a racing team than your run-of-the-mill community bike club. A couple years ago I bought a copy of one of the racing e-books from RoadBikeRider.com (http://www.roadbikerider.com/rrt_page.htm), and these guidelines seem to be heavily rooted in the advice in that and similar handbooks.

Lewis & Clark opened a store down here in Little Rock early last summer, and actually have a pretty nice bike department in there. They've been a little more aggressive in getting a foot in the door in the local bike community, and actually got some nice press in the paper the week before last when they helped an old guy get his broken bike replaced...

Link here: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/212478/

When I first got up here in NWA 4 years ago, their bike department was pretty neglected. But, they're riding the curve of the increased interest in cycling very well. It's the only bike shop(s) up here that I don't have any trouble being female in, although they have a way to go in the clothing department. They still don't have anyone that knows anything about quill stems, friction shifters, and other old bike stuff, but the mechanics are always as helpful as they can be. They've earned my business, in all their departments, for sure.

Their Saturday group rides are the only place I've found other women cyclists, so that's a plus, and the guy who does the beginner ride is awesome. I'll probably join.

Karen

Hopefully they will have club supported rides, workshops and some folks to work within the community to increase "share the road" awareness. Here you have to be a member to participate in the club rides (full SAG and lunch provided) but all other activities are open to the public. I joined the local club for the supported rides. I think it's probably worth your while.

That's what I'm hoping for, Cindy. More than just a way to find people to ride with.

Karen