PDA

View Full Version : So what's a good club to join?

DaveSauce
02-28-2008, 08:13 PM
Obviously everyone's going to say MORC. Of course I have nothing against you folks, and I'll probably end up riding with you anyway!

What I'm looking for is a club that does road and mtb, and encourages racing in both. I just got in to mtb racing last summer, and I really want to try road racing this summer.

Not serious racing, mind you. When I did college racing last fall I was in the bottom half of the B class. Though in some of the not-so-serious races, I peaked around top 25% overall (men/women, old/young/pre-natal). I have no idea what category that all correlates to. Obviously I'm not a very strong rider (yet), but I aim to get better, especially now that I'm no longer a poor college student and I can afford good equipment. But I want to race mainly for fun and to force myself to keep in shape.

I desperately want to ride a real crit, since I watched a Pro/1/2/3 crit at Superior Bike Fest last summer and I was blown away by how much fun it looked. I know there's a few around, and it'd be nice to have a few people I can race with and/or learn from.

I'm also looking for people to ride with once the snow melts and I have shiny new bike(s) to ride around on. I grew up in the south suburbs, and I'm now living in minneapolis. I've ridden a couple of the south metro trails, and it looks like Theodore Wirth might even be in biking distance. I know where to go, but I just don't have anyone to go with.

I guess I'm looking for a club that does it all, which I probably won't find. So really, any clubs that aren't super-serious racers will probably work for me. I doubt I'll find a club with everything I want, so I'll probably end up riding with many groups.

This is kind of premature since I'm not really ready to ride outside my living room yet, but I figure I may as well start looking. I already know what bikes I intend on buying once I get the money, so I guess I better figure out who I'm going to ride with once I get the bikes and the weather clears up!

Anyway, I look forward to finding out what clubs are in the cities, and more importantly I look forward to riding with you guys in a couple months!
bigwheel
02-29-2008, 08:49 AM
Hi Dave,

I don't know a lot about the other local bike clubs and organizations, but wanted to comment about MORC.

Don't think of MORC as a club. Think of MORC as primarily an organization for MTB advocacy, trail building/obtaining, trail maintaining, etc. MORC is the main organization within Minnesota that works so that all of us have trails to ride. We go all the way from meeting with representatives in Washington DC, to working with state and local park systems, to designing and building trails. When there is a potential project coming up, it is usually MORC that is contacted so that mountain bikers can speak with one strong, knowledgeable voice.

MORC needs members, both to get income to pay for trail building, and to increase our clout when pushing for permission to build a new trail. We are a non-profit organization, and we are all volunteers (except for one administrator that works 12 hours/week).

That said, we have a lot of great people, and the social aspect is outstanding. You may find that MORC (or sub-groups within MORC) has enough going on to meet your needs. There are all kinds of events, group rides, social stuff, etc. going on all the time. Plus, if you are interested in actually building some trails or technical features, we are always begging for help.

Many of the MORC members are also members of other clubs. I happen to be an active member of two ski clubs plus a canoe/bike touring club. But if mountain biking is high on your list, you need MORC and MORC needs you.

In summary, I suggest joining MORC, but also looking for a club that sponsors a lot of activities that you would like to do.

Bob S.
Nickel
02-29-2008, 09:50 AM
The Hub Bike Co-op, Category 6 racing squad

More here (http://mcf.net/mcf-clubs/)
Slimpee
02-29-2008, 09:52 AM
Flanders has riders that do both but I think they're primarily focused on road and cross riding.

Flander's Bros. bike shop is located at something like 27th and Lyndale in South Minneapolis.
daviebee
02-29-2008, 09:57 AM
Step 1: Support mtb advocacy by becoming a member of MORC!

Step 2: Bob basically covered the gambit however, Bent Crank Racing (http://www.bentcrankracing.com/) is recruiting. Maybe one of them can get us more info, like when can we have a meet and greet (hint, hint)?
Slimpee
02-29-2008, 10:04 AM
Step 2: Bob basically covered the gambit however, Bent Crank Racing (http://www.bentcrankracing.com/) is recruiting. Maybe one of them can get us more info, like when can we have a meet and greet (hint, hint)?

Oh yeah, I liked the idea of this team!
Lezgo Cycling
02-29-2008, 10:22 AM
Step 1: Support mtb advocacy by becoming a member of MORC!

Step 2: Bob basically covered the gambit however, Bent Crank Racing (http://www.bentcrankracing.com/) is recruiting. Maybe one of them can get us more info, like when can we have a meet and greet (hint, hint)?


Great Guys, im a soon to be member of the team
daviebee
02-29-2008, 11:07 AM
Great Guys, im a soon to be member of the team

I should get recruitment points or something, I'm not even an "official" member yet:cool:
Lezgo Cycling
02-29-2008, 11:10 AM
I should get recruitment points or something, I'm not even an "official" member yet:cool:

what are you talking about I recruited you .....:cool: ive been on the forums for a couple months now. how about you ? p.s. ill give you points if you give me points
daviebee
02-29-2008, 11:13 AM
what are you talking about I recruited you .....:cool: ive been on the forums for a couple months now. how about you ? p.s. ill give you points if you give me points


hence the "official" comment, I still have yet to meet up with anyone though and need to get a jersey first...I did not mean rep points here but check yours :D:D:D. Picking up a trainer tonight, so maybe a session in someones garage (I have non) soon??
TML
02-29-2008, 11:29 AM
Tuesday evenings there is a great road ride that departs from the north side of White Bear Lake. The group ride caters to all abilities and it's free. Rides cover the beautiful roads of Washington county and the St. Croix Valley.

First few rides of the year are fat-tire friendly. Rides are planned to start on March 22. Distances range from 25 - 50 miles throughout the season. Free time trials once a month.

Here's the info and link: http://www.rideandglide.bizland.com/index_cycling.html
Danimal
02-29-2008, 01:58 PM
The Mickey Mouse Club has always treated me swell.
DaveSauce
03-03-2008, 08:15 PM
Thanks for the suggestions.

I knew MORC was mostly about advocacy and trail building, but I didn't know if they had a team or anything like that.

Anyway, thanks again. This should be a good start to figuring out what my next step is.
TrailPatrol
03-03-2008, 09:44 PM
The Mickey Mouse Club has always treated me swell.

How about the "Halls of Montezuma" club? How did they treat you?

Hoo-yah!
Hans