jimboy
Member
Finally decided this winter I'm going to get properly fit, maybe even race next year. So figure need to join a club of some shape or size. New to the area so don't even know anyone to ask, Hopefully thats where you boys and girls can help.
Mitre seem to be the big guys are there any other clubs I should be looking at?
kelvin
Key Master
I'm making a similar decision myself, prob gonna go for Mitre, know Andy who's a member here is a member of mitre, any lurkers from any of the other clubs
kelvin
Key Master
yeah not that simple it seems, Mitre seem the best organised but I get the feeling they may be a little exclusive, no real reason why but I do have that feeling...
andy
Member
mitre are a very friendly group of riders, and of varying ages and abilities. i'd recommend them to any beginner, you'll get a lot support and advice from the others, and winter is a good time to join a club - the rides are more social, and generally taken at a slower pace. their forum is terrible though... i wish they'd change it, it would make it a lot more welcoming i'm sure!
kelvin
Key Master
invite them over here andy! I was looking at the lewes wanderer forum, I'm liking their laid back attitude
As a member of The Sussex Nomads I would recommend that you join the Nomads, but then I would say that.
If your not a member of a club or you are a member of a club it doesn't matter you can always join ON THE RIVET http://ontherivet.ning.com for training rides and other events.
OH by the way SRS EVENTS CYCLOSPORTIVE TRAINING DAY is on the 29/10/09
http://www.srs-events.cc
kelvin
Key Master
Loving what you're doing over at on the rivet! I hadn't thought about the nomads, where do their training rides tend to start from?
kelvin
Key Master
there's no question mitre have the best kit!
kelvin
Key Master
there's no question mitre have the best kit!
I've been with the Mitre for 3 seasons now and I'd recommend them to anyone. Great group of people and very welcoming to new members.
@ Kelvin - Thanks re the kit. Myself and a few others have put a lot of effort into making sure we look good!!!
kelvin
Key Master
Keep up the good work!
It seems the brief for most cycle kits are: combine three or more clashing colours, and use five different fonts (but must include comic sans)
Clashing colours are bad and should be avoided.
In order to be fully Euro one's kit should be 2-3 colours in addition to white. The actual colours aren't important as long as they combine tastefully. Logos should be placed prominently on all items. Helmet, gloves and eyewear should match your kit. Shoes should be white, as should handlebar tape and saddle.
Actually thinking about it if you live in Brighton then BRIGHTON MITRE is the only really good choice as a club to join.
especially if your are going to ROAD RACE.
I wouldn't be so bothered what the kit looks like myself but the Brighton Mitre kit does look nice.
I saw the Mitre out training today and they looked really smart
Of course if what the kit looks like is one of the reason for your choice make sure your bike colour matches the blue and white:-)
if you have a green bike then Sussex Nomads is the next obvious step.
I've been out with Mitre for a few of their social rides and have been blown away by how friendly everyone is. I let everyone know that I'm a newbie so I've had loads of great advice from everyone.
I thought that, because they're a serious cycling club for racers, the people might be a bit 'cool'. But not at all. Everyone has been really friendly, very welcoming and incredibly considerate too - like making sure to watch out for new members and making sure everyone has enough food and water.
The social Saturday rides are amazing. It's a thousand times nicer to roll out with 20-30 other cyclists and charge around the countryside than it is to head out alone (I tend to get lost). There is plenty of opportunity to chat as you explore Sussex. The rides can be challenging though - often the more experienced riders pick up the pace towards the end, and considering that the end may be 40 miles after you started it can be tricky to keep up!
Providing you're comfortable doing that kind of distance, I highly recommend you give it a go. Don't worry about not being fast enough (providing you're not completely hopeless). But be prepared and take plenty of food and drink. I wrote a short blog post about it:
http://wordsby.me/2010/05/19/learning-to-ride-a-road-bike-long-distances/
Oh, and here's Brighton Mitre's website: http://brightonmitre.typepad.com/weblog/
kelvin
Key Master
i'm really torn, with the new born I'm not gonna get out this summer, would love to hook up with the mitre lot. But planning to move to Lewes in Autumn and the Wanderers seems really sound too
I think on the first ride I joined with Mitre there were a few Wanderers joining too.
The Mitre social ride seems to be fairly open and inclusive - with riders from other clubs apparently welcome. So I'm sure if you join Lewes you can still venture out with Mitre occasionally. Have your cake and ride it.
Mitre is a very friendly club with all welcome on our Saturday social rides which meet at 08:00 at Cafe Nero in Hove for an 08:30 depart. All fitness levels welcome as the ride splits into a few groups. Check out http://www.brightonmitre.com for postings about the ride each week.
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