[Closed] MTB Clubs

I'm not, but if there was something like SPAM Biking round here, I would join.
It's a shame mountain biking isn't a bit more like motocross in some ways. A network of local clubs, each putting on events in their own area.
Trailquesting comes close, but it would be good if there was a whole load of small club marathons and XC races to enter throughout the year, rather than just the few big commercial ones.

Think it depends what you are after
The racing side is generally catered for my the "road" clubs and there are plenty about. Most riders though tend to be into a variety of bike activities-cyclocross in the winter etc
The more social side doesn't quite fit as well and that tends to be informal groups that get together. There are quite a few of these that have developed a network, own website/forum etc
I do both but probably spend more time with the former

Too many people seeing themselves as 'rebels' or too 'rad' for such a thing. Too many people wanting to just turn up and find a perfectly-maintained trail centre for them to hoon around. Too many jack b******s who only look out for number one and not do something for the greater good. It is a reflection of who we are as a nation so we shouldn't be surprised.

my one time only experience was when i turned up got patronised like i was a beginner without even seeing me ride ,then i was told we were doing a fast ride which was actually ,lets ride medium fast for 1km then rest at every opportunity,talk about what mtb gods we are then repeat.never seen such bollocks in all my life.i suppose great for social riding if you can put up with the drivvle some people come out with.

i'm not in a club but use mtb-wales for local rides meeting folk all over South Wales area getting to ride lots of varied trails. Mint

bacco - lol, which club was that ? 🙂

Bacco ,that sounds like our club. You'd be hard-pushed to find a bigger bunch of half-wits.

I certainly feel the benefits of a club this time of year, it's always handy to know that there will be guys out on certain night.
Also great when doing events for all the support.

I am not a club joiner so wouldn't join one. Plenty of loosely organised riding groups to join in with if I want

I'm with od git,I am an old git. Our club has transformed my riding.Never an excuse not to ride.Improves your riding and I've got an ever-expanding bunch of mates.

Too many jack b******s who only look out for number one and not do something for the greater good. It is a reflection of who we are as a nation so we shouldn't be surprised.

what [b]are[/b] you on about ??

I'm not a joiner either, but somehow I ended up running the Bog Trotters. We never run events, just 3 regular rides every week, and it's great to know you'll always have riding buddies

[url] http://www.ystwyth-mtb.co.uk/ [/url]

Great way to organise rides and meet new people. Plus over the years these are some of my best friends....

simonfbarnes - Member

what are you on about ??

I'm on about the vast majority of cyclists. You know stw isn't a reflection of all mountain bikers - if it were nobody would shop at Halfords and we'd all have Ti bikes.

Mountain biking has followed the 'xtreem' sport world more than the extant cyclist ideals. It is far more about the individual (for most) than the collective. Just look at the way road clubs are structured and their relationship to each other and national bodies. Then compare that to mountain biking. I'm sorry to say that most people don't want to get involved for what may be called the greater good.

I'm sorry to say that most people don't want to get involved for what may be called the greater good.

what does that even mean ? Our club organises rides for the members - what else might we be doing ? I think most people who are attracted to MTB are quite individualistic - and I don't see it as wrong to please oneself...

I'm in one. It's worth it just for the discounts we get at LBSs and other outlets. The rides, camaraderie, help and tool sharing are just a bonus!

simonfbarnes - Member

what does that even mean ?

For the love of god - I DON'T MEAN YOU. You are in a club and organise things. You are [s]special[/s] different.

It means [b]many[/b] people won't do something if there isn't something directly in it for them.

I wouldn't join a club which would have me as a member

I'm in one and to be honest it's a great laugh, with a good bunch of people, and in a roundabout way I even met my other half through the club. Itsgood to know that there are people out riding as it helps to motivate you to go out and ride, we are also quite a social club with regular curry nights and the like, great for sharing knowledge and tools when it comes to maintaining bikes, regular riding/drinking weekends away, our last Wales weekend saw about 30 of us playing silly buggers on our bikes. I think the thing is when you have a good club it is fun to be around, there will always be banter but we welcome new members, and don't treat them as though they are trying to break into some kind of secretive clique, but on balance for all the goodclubs out there I suppose there has to be a proportionate amount of clubs that are not as freindly or welcoming, or even the odd elitist club whom do not want new members. I'm lucky in they respect to have what I consider a good local club, and trough that I have met and made some very good freinds.

Hmm, I'm afraid I'm one of those selfish people who don't contribute to the greater good of group mountain biking! I've tried club riding and it's not for me - too many compromises - but I don't mind going out in smallish groups.
Seriously, though, I can see that clubs have lots of benefits for lots of people, but I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with people not contributing to a national MTB scene through an organised club structure. For me, the joy of mountainbiking has always been the freedom and spontaneity of it - plus the getting away from it all, which, for me, includes other people a lot of the time...

For the love of god - I DON'T MEAN YOU. You are in a club and organise things. You are [s]special[/s] different.

I didn't think you did! But my involvement isn't altuistic, I would never ride on my own so I need a willing supply ride companions, so it's still selfinterest.

It means many people won't do something if there isn't something directly in it for them.

I would have though any leisure activity was inherently selfindulgent ?

Support crew for a 24 hr race?
Secretary for a club of any sort?
Running a monthly bike jumble?
Promoting cycling for others?

All fairly altruistic and all unpaid roles therefore perhaps leisure?

[i]Support crew for a 24 hr race?[/i] no friggin [b]way[/b]
[i]Secretary for a club of any sort?[/i] I'll confess to that
[i]Running a monthly bike jumble?[/i] yawn
[i]Promoting cycling for others?[/i] I have a feeling it has to be self selected. I do my best to make it look fun and engaging with my photos, but unless you have the inner drive you'll easily be put off by the physical demands

I really don't care what your view is on them - other than perhaps you agree that they are examples of leisure activities that might not be seen as inherently self indulgent.

Clubs have there place. There's lots of good points like having people who know a large variety of trials, always having someone to ride with, shared transport, banter and friendship etc. etc. but there are downsides like having to ride at the pace of the slowest, more frequent stops for mechanicals and punctures, not always being able to do what you want.

I mix it up. Ride with one road club, one mtb club. Go on road rides with mtbing friends and mtb rides with roadies, sometimes I ride with only a "select" few if we have a particularly long arduous route in mind that other's wouldn't like, sometimes I ride on my own. It really depends what mood I'm in and how busy I am. I try an attend the club night ride every week as it's good to keep up to date on what's going on. Recently I've been doing lots of solo road rides as I'm short of time.

Don't belong to a club and never would.

I have so much fun meeting random people off an internet forum. In fact, it's reassuring to find that there are people who are more weird than me 😉

Who wants rules and regulations? If I want to behave badly and lead people down a blocked trail, I can 🙄

What's not to like??

I find it funny that those who don't like rules and regs are so narrow minded as to assume that all clubs actually have rules and regs... We certainly don't.

we have two basic rules in our club

1. No Helmet, No Ride

2. We ride whatever the weather,

We certainly don't.

we do, but the only one I can remember is "members must have great fun on all rides" which I don't have too much trouble adhering to 🙂

Are we talking clubs with rules and subs etc, or collectives that ride together?

Well, technically we do have one rule which is try hard but don't be a grumpy gut while doing it.

I ride with a bunch of lads from www.vcmelyd.co.uk both on or off road, bridleways, trail centres and cheeky stuff...rules nope!..other than bring some beer to our parties/barbies...great to have company for rides 4 times a week if you want it, we all have a laugh at the Dyfi, Marin Rough ride etc...admin side is minimal other than p@@@ taking on the website and sorting out the Xmas party and comedy awards ceremony..best crasher last year ended up on a pub roof!

You can ride with us without giving up your individuality...really are a welcoming bunch who actively encourage new riders...joining is very much optional!

You can ride with us without giving up your individuality

gosh, really ? I have been taken over by the hive mind.

simon-of-ninety