Every year I tell myself I want to start racing and every year I don't. I know its a little late in the year, but I'm tired of putting it off and I want to give it a shot. I think I have the fitness level to at least get started. However, virtually all of my riding has been solo, so I KNOW I don't have the handling skills to race safely. I have essentially no experience drafting, riding in a pack, fast cornering, etc.

So I need to hook up with a club and start working on that stuff. I live in Cleveland Heights (Coventry area, to be exact), so I would prefer one based on the east side if possible. Can anyone recomend a good club so I can get started?

Every year I tell myself I want to start racing and every year I don't. I know its a little late in the year, but I'm tired of putting it off and I want to give it a shot. I think I have the fitness level to at least get started. However, virtually all of my riding has been solo, so I KNOW I don't have the handling skills to race safely. I have essentially no experience drafting, riding in a pack, fast cornering, etc.

So I need to hook up with a club and start working on that stuff. I live in Cleveland Heights (Coventry area, to be exact), so I would prefer one based on the east side if possible. Can anyone recomend a good club so I can get started?
You have the Cleveland Touring Club on the east side. I dont know of any others out that way. In Akron I understand there are many more bikers per club. On the near west side there is a shop called Spin, that holds wednesday night rides and if you want to try to hang with fast rodies they are the ones to go with. Average around 25miles/hr on about a 50mile club ride (with hills); that's fast to me and good training. I ride out to your area often via downtown, play with the cagers, and then up Cedar Hill. Great area to ride! and drivers are more bike friendly on the east side.

Hey Mad,

There is a group of riders that meet on Saturdays and Sundays at Shaker and Courtland (one block west of Warrensville) at 7:00am. They should be a great group to get started in (I did last year). The group usually numbers 10 or more, with racers and weekend warriors. There are other groups you could jump in, but I won't throw you to the wolves yet.

Tomorrows ride will not be the standard fair, but there still should be some people there if you want to jump in. Mail me if you want more info.

Look forward to meeting you,
Roadent.