It looks like....

[Grahame]

....I'll be back (soon) on the clubruns.

As many of you know, I'm no fan of British Cycling (largely due to their apathy to grassroots cycling advocacy, but more recently their pathetic responses to the Olympics site). Now it happens that my 2nd claim club have decided that as they are a "sporting cycling club" BC membership will be a condition of membership of their club. Largely this is for the 3rd party insurance for on club rides (which I agree with), but other insurance providers, such as CTC and LCC will no longer be acceptable.

To cut a long story short, it seems that their intransigence combined with my stubbornness in refusing to give my money to the stuffed shirts at BC, means that my riding options will be reduced, and I'll be spending more Saturdays with my chums (old and new) at ACC. Now the questions are - have I been away long enough to be able to just sit in and not be expected to lead a group? Should I ride the "regular" route (or my personal variations on it), or join the "disagreeables" on their alternative outings?

[Phil H]

I can't lay my hand on the exact rule as I'm at work, but I believe that, as penance for disloyalty, you must complete 50 club runs using exactly the approved route. After that, the committee will consider granting permission for you to turn left after Leigh cricket club.

Either that or do what you want. You're not on the VC list but I reckon if you wanted to be ...

[George]

Nonnas and Back you lazy so and so

[Snoop Doug]

Enjoy the ride Grahame, wherever ye may go (thereby giving subtle clue as to which way I voted...)

[Dombo]

Don't know if there's much difference, but i joined Everyday Cycling - again just for the insurance. They are the non-racing branch of BC. As to grassroots advocacy, we probably all do our own to some extent - getting the sproglets out on bikes in all weathers, encouraging colleagues to take up the sport, enthralling them with tales of icy descents and photos of snow-covered mtb trails and sunlit Alpine climbs

[tazmania_1981]

what about if u do another ride from east croydon every saturday 16 ish ?????
)))))

[Paul H]

Its not my TGA Youre welcome to join us though.

Depends what you want out of your ride I guess.

[Grahame]

[quote="Dombo"]Don't know if there's much difference, but i joined Everyday Cycling - again just for the insurance. They are the non-racing branch of BC. As to grassroots advocacy, we probably all do our own to some extent - getting the sproglets out on bikes in all weathers, encouraging colleagues to take up the sport, enthralling them with tales of icy descents and photos of snow-covered mtb trails and sunlit Alpine climbs

[Dombo]

Thanks, I'll take another look. I seem to remember CTC sent out a regular magazine too. EC send nada.
But would I have to grow a beard and stop reading Jeremy Clarkson?

[Grahame]

They changed the rules a few years ago - beards are no longer compulsory, merely "advised"

The Cyclist magazine comes out every two months and even has some interesting technical content on occasion. As for Clarkson, I still read his columns and watch Top Gear and haven't been throuwn out of the CTC (yet) so I guess that's OK as well.