Local Club

pgiesin

I don't know a lot of people (ie, no friends) so was thinking about joining a local club. This would give me the opportunity to ride with other riders. However, I think I would feel guilty when it came race day and I showed up in EN Colors .

Do many of you belong to a local bike/tri/racing club? If so how do you deal with which colors you choose for race day?

Pete

Tom Glynn

Pete,

I think joining a local club is a great thing to do. A bunch of us here in NorCal belong to the local tri club. It's a great way to meet others, find training partners and learn a ton. For kit stuff I'll race in local gear for all local events. I race EN for the IM's, and half's. For everyday riding around, I'll grab whatever is on top of the pile and clean.

tom

Al Truscott

Posted By Peter Giesin on 08 Apr 2010 05:48 PM

Do many of you belong to a local bike/tri/racing club? If so how do you deal with which colors you choose for race day?

Pete

Pete - I'm very loyal to the my local club, doing Saturday rides, long runs, and some TTs with them. Especially if there are people faster than you there, riding/running with others will certainly make YOU faster.

Since I'm real particular about my race outfit (I'm stuck on DeSoto one-piece), I've solved the group recognition issue with a hat or visor. 

gilliatt

I belong to a local club, I'm actually a "charter" member. I've got some friends who are on the board of directors. They give pretty sweet discounts 25% of desoto, 15% off a bike shop and running store so the membership pays for itself pretty quick.

Steven Ford

I sport the my tri club colors but hopefully I will have my EN visor soon, I also have the EN bike shirt I wear during club rides.

mancona

Absolutely join a club, Coach Rich even is/was part of a local club for a while. The simple solution is what Tom suggested and wear the club kit at local events and training, and were your EN kit for the big IM / 70.3 events. At the end of the day, unless you sign a contract with someone, just race in whatever you prefer, but most people will definitely understand if you have multiple groups you are afflitated with.

I'm in a slightly different situation, but I recently joined a running team. I was up front and told them I would not be racing in their clothes when I first signed up and asked if this would be an issue. To my surprise they were more than glad to have me join them for workouts and some races ... I am just not eligible for any awards, bonues, etc from the team since I am not racing in their gear.

Nemo Brauch

Join the club- absolutely! When I moved to NC, I joined the local club because it was the best way for me to meet other folks to swim/bike/run with. It's a very small club, but I'm still glad I joined. Like others, I solve the kit dilemma by racing in club gear for the local short distance races and wear my EN kit at HIM/IM distance races. Last year I always stuck on an EN Tattoo whenever I raced in a club kit to show some EN Pride as well. This year I'll also have the visor. Accessorizing is the name of the game!

pgiesin

Thanks for the advice everyone. I guess I am just making a mountain out of a mole hill.  If I don't let my introvert tendencies to get in the way I will definitely join a club. 

So, does anyone in the NJ area know anything about Team Echelon? Maybe already a member, or know someone how is. They are one of the closest teams to me area and seem to be fairly active.

Pete

tgarson

Don't feel bad, I had the exact same thought process and hesitation before I joined EN as I am already part of a local Tri club. Prior to joining EN I raced in the local kit, and probably will continue to do so due to my beloved (and expensive!) DeSoto one-piece club kit, however at big events I certainly will be augmenting my kit with EN stickers on the helmet, a visor, or some combination of both kits. As it turns out, one member of my club was a previous member of EN (Ron Geruit) and had nothing but good things to say about it.

Coach Rich

I'm the founder, former president, and general Bad Cop for the Pasadena Tri Club. I started the club because I was tired of training by myself or having to travel to train with a club on the east side. It's now my local circle of friends. Very fulfilling to see the friendships, etc that have developed from the club.

Notes:

• Generally, I think it can be tough to find a group, even small, that trains the EN way, ie, ALWAYS working, very little noodle time, etc. My advice is join a club and then publish what you are doing. Let people know that you have a plan, are reliable, but you always do what YOU have to do. After a while the playa's will gather around you and you'll have a solid group of training partners.
• Despite appearances, EN isn't really a gang . We don't mind if you train/race in other kit. However, Joanne and I just shipped out close to 150 singlets and other kit. EN, Rich, and Patrick are very well known in the IM space. Racing in EN kit is a great oppportunity to get some significant mojo from the other athletes, spectators, and the crowd. It's also nice for us to recognize you so we can cheer and support you. If you are racing your club kit we still have hats and visors in the store.

Chris G

I for whatever reason belong to 2 local clubs.  No matter what singlet I wear I seem to take crap for it.  I do think that my EN kit is fastest, seriously...