Best way to find beginner riding club?

[jobob]

Well, what I've heard about the local TNT training groups is that they are extremely intense and sort of not for people who aren't "fast." I know it's a good organization, but that's the rep this group has around here. I know at least 4 people who dropped out of the training because of this.

I'm sorry to hear that. I think it varies a lot, both by the event that is being trained for, and by the philosophy/mindset of the coaches of those individual teams.

For instance, the TNT team I was on this past fall, training for the Solvang century, had riders with a very wide range of abilities, from semi-studly types to almost total beginners, and they were all being accommodated and cared for. (I dropped out of that team because I thought I would be away the week of that event. Turns out I'm not, but that's neither here nor there.)

Now, on the flip side, there's the TNT team training for the Markleeville Death Ride, which is chock-full of studly types. I've joined that team again this year, in large part because I'm stubborn -- it's unfinished business, after all! -- and just a little masochistic. And, no surprise, I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel speed- and strength-wise on the team this year, even more so than last year. But as far as I can tell, I'm still within the 'acceptable' range (by my own standards, not theirs!! - I'm much harder on myself than they are) so they're stuck with me.

...err, sorry for the thread drift gabriellesca ...

[Crankin]

I know exactly what you mean, Jobob. I didn't want to say anything because I know a lot of people here train with TNT.

[gabriellesca]

I'm so sorry I'm burning up the boards lately - but I was just reading through my posts and saw the responses to this. I don't know where I went after I posted this.

Thanks guys.

SheFly - I think this is the group I was thinking of last year. This is great to see this link - I was searching for that ride. THANK YOU!

As for TNT - I trained with the MA TNT Cycle Team in the summer of 2008 for the Mad River Valley Century. It was SUPER intense as a newbie to the sport. The first day I showed up I couldn't ride 12 miles - and I was on a hybrid and crying the entire time. But my coach and mentors and the entire team was so incredibly supportive. It was a very hard summer for me. I'm pretty overweight and had never cycled before - let alone been a part of any team - and I have no confidence at all. I really did struggle with the long Saturday rides and emotionally it was a very tough time for me. But in the end it gave me such a great introduction to the sport in a really safe and supported environment. The experience was one of the best of my life and I credit my coach and members of that team. I LOVED it.

TNT is doing the Seagull MD ride in the Fall and sent me an alum email. I would love to do it again but I just don't know if I have it in me. I think I would like something more laid back - finding a group that is more at my level (if they exist) - and then I would like to do a few 50-mile rides this summer.

If, of course, I can get past my clipless fears!

[Crankin]

Gabriellesca,

The AMC Boston chapter New Member ride is Saturday. If you can get to Concord center by 9:40,the ride starts at 10:00. You will be fine. We have 3 groups going out; you can choose which one to go with... group one will be averaging around 14, group 2 around 11-12, and group 3 around 9-10. There will be people on road bikes and hybrids and not all have clipless.

PM me if you want more information.
You should also check out the Boston chapter's ride schedule, as well as the Southeast MA chapter's schedule.

www.outdoors.org, then click on the chapter tab on the side

[gabriellesca]

THANKS - now 9-10 - I love that group!

I really might think about joining this ride Crankin' if I feel comfortable enough on my pedals. I'm going to practice on some long rides Wed, Thurs, and Fri - so this might be right up my ally. Do they ride on roads/trails, etc? I'm going to go and check the site. THANK YOU!

I found a group doing a ride up in NH on Sunday - 26 miles and they average 12-14 - I REALLY want to join this group but I would also like to get myself confidence with my pedals before I ride with a new group. This is great - I'm going to check it out. THank you so much! You guys have given me great links.

[gabriellesca]

Crankin' - just sent you a PM - I'm pumped - this looks like a good place for me. I'll be riding solo - so if I can make the new member ride it might be a good way to meet people.

Also looking at the Spring Bike Rally on the 12th of June - I would LOVE to do the 50 miles. This may be a silly question - but are rides like this supported with a sag wagon? I'm learning that most rides are not - and that I was REALLY spoiled with TNT.

[ny biker]

I'm not familiar with this ride, but most organized rides (the ones with registration fees and rest stops that are staffed by volunteers and have tables with snacks plus water and gatorade) will have SAG support. They won't actually be sweeping the ride, but from time to time you will see vehicles driving along the route that have bike racks on them and some kind of "SAG" sign on them. The cue sheet usually has a phone number on it that you can call if you need them to help you with a mechanical problem or if you need a ride back to the start.

The ride website should say if there is SAG support, and if there's any doubt, there should be an email address or phone number so you can contact them to find out.

If this is the ride you're talking about, it's not clear from the website, so I would contact the club and ask them.

http://www.amcboston.org/bicycle/bikerally.htm