wanting to join group xc rides (beginner here)

[canali]

I'm mainly a randonneur and touring guy (I have a few Rivendells and a Surly X Check for commuting:
(see my surly in 'retro mode' here: www.cyclofiend.com/cc/2006/cc092r2-josephcollins1206.html
and my pinstripped Rivendell Atlantis here: www.cyclofiend.com/cc/2007/cc289-joecollins0407.html ) but with my Dekerf Generation HT now relubed and ready to go I wish to try my hand at mtn biking...I may take the ''endless biking'' Progression skill development courses, too....anyway, can anyone point me to some outdoor clubs to meet more people for pedalling and pints/social interactions?

I have heard of the nsride group (previously pedals and pints out of john henry)...anyone care to comment? or suggest any other group (i'm in my 40s, btw)

thanks
Joe

[FlipFantasia]

I know it's in whistler, but wild willies has great multi level group rides every week in the summer, usually mondays I think.....great guides, all skill levels....

[heckler]

you will love NS ride if you're wanting to learn the trails and get to know a bunch of people at similar levels. They have many different options for type of riding, and you can progress week to week at your own pace.

Go for it! www.nsride.com

[heckler]

and it doesn't matter how old you are btw...

some of the leaders are pushing 40 too! Others are really young.

[seeformiles]

I'll second (third?) the NSRide recommendation; friendly, well-organized, good mix of people, largest riding group on the Shore, if not in Canada, and a choice of XC rides every group ride.

[canali]

thanks, folks...being new here, I do appreciate all the great help I've received on a number of topics.
mucho mucho grazias!

[Lady Gravity]

thanks, folks...being new here, I do appreciate all the great help I've received on a number of topics.
mucho mucho grazias!

you can buy us all beer after the ride :D

[heckler]

sweet! :beer: on canali! I'm so there!

[LeeLau]

with my Dekerf Generation HT I wish to try mtn biking...I may take the ''endless biking'' Progression skill development courses, too....anyway, can anyone point me to some outdoor clubs to meet more people for pedalling and pints/social interactions?



Beautiful bike Joe - you'll do fine as long as you have such fine taste

[ruff]

WOW, this is what I'm looking for too! I'll be signing up after my marathon training is over.

I guess I'll have to buy a round for heckler and Lady G too :)

[heckler]

Marathon, schmarathon. They run a boot-camp training on sunday too!


http://nsride.com/rides-sunday.htm

[gotham]

WOW, this is what I'm looking for too! I'll be signing up after my marathon training is over.

Having just done the Ripper on Saturday I fully concur with this. I was so scared that I would fall and hurt myself and flush 15 weeks of training down the drain...only 3 weeks to go until that magic day when we run our last run and can get the big bikes out!

[G-spot]

I was in touch with NSride and they told me that they would not show me around ,when I visit unless I become a member, and would not show me around. I will only be there for two weeks and riding for only 3 days and I feel that becoming a member is not the route I need to go. and that I was hoping that they would have just been happy showing off the Great trails to visitor, and promoting the sport. But in counter, if I were a betting man ,I would say that they are a GREAT group to join,if you live in the area.

[KenN]

I was in touch with NSride and they told me that they would not show me around ,when I visit unless I become a member, and would not show me around. I will only be there for two weeks and riding for only 3 days and I feel that becoming a member is not the route I need to go. and that I was hoping that they would have just been happy showing off the Great trails to visitor, and promoting the sport. But in counter, if I were a betting man ,I would say that they are a GREAT group to join,if you live in the area.

It's an unfortunate reality that one condition of leading group rides is that all members must be covered by the club's insurance policy. Buying a membership covers the costs of the insurance, and leaves a small amount for operating costs of the club. That really restricts the ability to have 'drop-in' visitors joining in on club rides, so for now the policy that all riders must be members is strictly enforced.

So as much as all the leaders would love to be nice folks and let friends, relatives and visitors join in for a ride or two, that's just the sort of thing that could lead to problems with the districts who own the property where the trails are!

Cheers,

Kn.

[canali]

well I just NOW signed up for my $49 membership to be a part of the www.nsride.com group....my first ride tonight.
can't wait....

hey for those of you who are also into making more friends with like interests, check out www.meetup.com (go the vancouver site, specifically the hiking and cycling groups...i'm sure that there are ones for mtn biking, too).

It's all about sharing our networking to have more ride buddies, afterall.

cheers
Joe

[Straw]

WOW, this is what I'm looking for too! I'll be signing up after my marathon training is over.

I guess I'll have to buy a round for heckler and Lady G too :)

Nice. Something I've wanted to do, but never have.

What's your target time?