I am thinking of join a club b/c I am thinking it will help me improve my riding. However, I am assuming that all clubs do not have a good reputation. Is that true or will any club help?

I have a few to choose from b/c I am in the northern virginia area. I am new to the area and would like to ride with other cyclists and meet people.

Any reccomendations?

Welcome.

The best way to choose a club is to ride with a few and see who you click with. Different clubs have different styles/interests/personalities - you want to make sure that theirs are similar to your own. Find out what group rides are in your area and start doing them - they usually have riders from a variety of clubs/teams. There may be a local web source in your area, or go into some of the local bike shops and ask about training rides.

Remember, if you don't like the people in the club, you won't get much out of riding with them.

Call the local club contacts and ask what sort of club it is. When I started road biking after years of mountian biking and biking with the kids, I joined a club that specialized in long rides. It was what I wanted as I wanted to extend how far I was able to ride. It also was a don't wait for stragglers and did not have fast or slow groups, just long and longer routes. They supplied maps and the ride leader for the day would expain where the routes went. At first I was shelled of the back fairly quickly and used to map to complete the route. After a while I was able to complete the routes and keep up with the slower riders. Eventually I was able to keep up with the faster riders and was shocked to find out that they acutally took rest breaks. I had always rode the routes non-stop (except for quick bladder relief stops).

I joined the club in February, intending to be able to do an easy century in September. I ended up doing a mountainous 100 miles in April (I was only going to do 40 but a cute young club member talked me into going just a little bit further and then just to the next town, etc.) Then another 100 miler the next weekend. If I hadn't joined the club, I would still be thinking about doing 100 miles some day.

Joining the club definitely improved my fitness and my skills. Of couse it has been 5 years since I last did a club ride. I got tired of driving to the ride start locations and now do all my rides from my house.

JOin....If you want, they will let you ride w/them w/o being a member.(But after 6-7 times u should join. Whats it gonna be, 30 bucks a year?) Ur pack skills will improve etc. And you can learn something every time.

Most shops have club contacts. So figure out what clubs are affiliated with the LBS you shop at. Go on a couple rides or attend the meetings. Decide if these are the people you want to ride with. Then, if you like the group, join the club.

Clubs help support cycling. Cyclists should help support clubs. Besides which, most club members get discounts at the LBS -- at least around here!

I just joined a club, didn't even purchase my bike yet, because as a college student its only $10 and because you get 10% at numerous LBS's and stores in the area. Talk about a win win situation for a begginer rider like myself! They host clinics and rides all across the county and I can't wait to get some time in the saddle with a group of like minded individuals.

Personally, I think clubs are great for socialization and motivation, mostly the latter. I may eventually try racing as a motivator, but for now my goal is to get enough fitness to hang with the fast guys and gals in a large, weekly group ride. I would ride on my own in any event, but the group ride is a good measuring stick beyond heart rate, speed, etc. to show progress.

When you check out clubs, remember that there can be differences within the club as well. For example, in the Twin Cities there is a very large club that sponsors rides all over town that serve differing purposes. I would recommend that any newbie join a club like this if available, since it introduces you to lots of people who can offer lots of helpful advice. With so many choices, you are bound to find at least a ride or two that you like. Once you dive into cycling a little deeper, you might find that you want a smaller, more specialized club, and there usually are plenty of those around.