Why I Ride With a Cycling Club & Why You Should Too : Bike Vlog

[@ronaldbeasley4945]

Good points. Have learned so much from group riding. Have great conversations and get in some good laughs along the way also.

[@Downhillsmoothtarmac]

Couldn’t agree more! Thanks for watching 👍

[@TT-fn1xb]

I cycle for fun rather than to hit targets. The latter is what I've found with cycling clubs. Some only accept people with road bikes and some only focus on speed rather than pleasure. That's why I'm no longer a part of cycling clubs. That said, whatever works for each individual is what matters.

[@Downhillsmoothtarmac]

You make a very good point, a lot of clubs are like that, simply focused on pace, power and averages! Which is why I mentioned finding the right club - we are blessed that our club isn’t like that in the group I tend to ride in - as I agree that cycling needs to be enjoyable! Thanks for taking the time to watch the video too 👍👍

[@dddeeee1]

very nice

[@Downhillsmoothtarmac]

Thanks for watching!! 👍

[@Rick--A-F]

Another benefit of riding with a club is learning new routes that you may not have known about.

[@mikeainsworth4504]

And new cafés!

[@Downhillsmoothtarmac]

Oh yes always a benefit, especially if you ride off road too

[@Downhillsmoothtarmac]

Totally agree!!!

[@oddknack]

really enjoyed the video, thank you. ill be going on my first club ride this weekend so timely! One thing, i found it a little hard to hear your voice over the background music, would it be possible to reduce that music volume for future vids? thanks

[@Downhillsmoothtarmac]

Thanks for the feedback - I’ll take a look into it, good luck on your first club ride! 👍👍

[@oddknack]

@@Downhillsmoothtarmac just watching a newer video, and I can hear the voice no problems!

[@WheelersAtLarge]

Riding with mates is the best... Club? Not so sure, never tried but always felt I wouldn't fit in. Diesel power all the way👍

[@Downhillsmoothtarmac]

I know where you’re coming from! Luckily some of my riding mates are in the club too 😁

[@mikebeattie976]

I prefer to ride solo there are lots of advantages to solo riding, pick your own route ride when you want at your own pace stop and start when you want. When you ride with others you have to go where they want at the pace they set and you can’t stop and start when it suits you

[@Downhillsmoothtarmac]

All good points for solo riding……perhaps another video then?….

[@Mosely2007]

After over 30 yrs of clubs I left them a d their covid fear. Clubs should be about bikes not medical requirements. Or worse yet, wanting members to support lgbtq competition. Nope ! Solo for 3 yrs and loving it. I ride gravel and enjoy the rides. C.ubs here do have discounts at shops and daily rides for all levels. Led 2 a week for many yrs. Just ride and enjoy it! Good info for those that need it

[@zedddddful]

Unfortunately you'll find the majority of clubs are occupied by guardian reading types I also ride solo can't stand any of that crap tbh.

[@Downhillsmoothtarmac]

This is the only club I’ve ever been a part of and thankfully we don’t have any of those kind of concerns!!!

[@Downhillsmoothtarmac]

I love a solo ride, but a bit of camaraderie is nice too

[@Downhillsmoothtarmac]

Sounds like a negative experience of a club there, thankfully all we do is get together and ride, talk about bikes and have a good laugh!!

[@sitoudien9816]

I rode with 2 non competitive clubs and quit both of them. It was a bad vibes and leadership. There is a no drop rule and we'd wait for riders at stops. But it was really ride by yourself. Start together finish alone. Racers would leave you behind. This turned off the few women there.

[@Downhillsmoothtarmac]

I find it so disheartening to hear people’s experiences with some clubs, I feel like the club I ride with must be a bit of an exception - although it was created by a couple of people who didn’t like the regular club vibe. It’s all about riding and having a good laugh together for me, if I didn’t have that, I wouldn’t stay …

[@davidzuijdwijk6806]

are you not scared that your hands might slip off the drops when you hit a bump? you should be able to find a modern bar that fits the look of your bike, so you can ride in the drops and have your hoods horizontal so they are usable.

[@Downhillsmoothtarmac]

Hi it might just be the wide angle of the GoPro, as the bars and hoods fit fine for me, I can reach in the drops no problem. They’re an odd shape 90’s 3t ergo bar so the drop section isn’t round, it’s sort of got a kink in the curve, which may be what you’re seeing there? I used to own a bike shop a few years back so I’ve got tons of bars knocking around, perhaps I’ll try some others sometime! Thanks for watching too 👍👍

[@davidzuijdwijk6806]

@@Downhillsmoothtarmac seemed the drops where pointing down, but yeah gopro effect could be it. awesome bike, even if we didnt get to see it that much :)

[@Downhillsmoothtarmac]

@@davidzuijdwijk6806 cheers man, thanks for watching - perhaps I’ll do another video on the Holdsworth soon! 👍👍

[@tonyfrewin4822]

I must admit that I was thinking the same about the drops. I did think it had to be the wide angle lens making it look like that. Great video and I keep thinking I should try a club to improve my cycling skills.