All of you new club members and about to be members have just joined a wonderful network! AND you will indeed become better riders for it. I use my club rides as a way to challenge myself and to be with other like minded people. We never talk politics, don't gossip, but have a great time together. Yes, some of them are just like family to me. We even have names for some of us as multiple Joes presented a problem as to who was who! So Tall Joe, Sugar Joe (he works at C&H sugar), Jersery Joe (he's from New Jersey), etc. Oh yes, then there's Artic Bill (he wears shorts in the winter), and Phat Bar Bob (he's one of the multiple Bob's who has a flat bar bike he rides from time to time), etc. This just adds to the humor of our rides together.

Enjoy your new friends. They will take good care of you!