A Crisis of Confidence

[clarky44]

I will shortly be moving to the Loughborough/Leicester area. At the moment I go out on my MTB - mainly on my own - on bridleways, forest paths and an occasional bit in the Peaks etc.

The problem I have is one of confidence. How do I work out where I am in the MTB pecking order? I would like to go out with a club as I am fed up being Johnny No Mates when it comes to the MTB.

The problem is I don't know if I will be the panting wreck in the corner who is at the back or able to keep up.

Are there any groups in the Loughborough or North Leicester area that would take pity on me and not send me home a quivering wreck.

Any ideas or do I just take the plunge and stop being such a wuss?:confused:

[Tony Raven]

clarky44 wrote:
> I will shortly be moving to the Loughborough/Leicester area. At the moment I go out on my MTB -
> mainly on my own - on bridleways, forest paths and an occasional bit in the Peaks etc.
>
> The problem I have is one of confidence. How do I work out where I am in the MTB pecking order? I
> would like to go out with a club as I am fed up being Johnny No Mates when it comes to the MTB.
>
> The problem is I don't know if I will be the panting wreck in the corner who is at the back or
> able to keep up.
>
> Are there any groups in the Loughborough or North Leicester area that would take pity on me and
> not send me home a quivering wreck.
>
> Any ideas or do I just take the plunge and stop being such a wuss?:confused:
>

Take the plunge! I've cycled with lots of different MTB groups from students to CTC to professional.
I am invariably the slowest and last to the top of the hills (but then many of them are half my
age!) but I've never yet met with one group that has not been patient with my pace and never been
made to feel unwelcome for slowing them down. So if I can do it so can you.

Tony

--
"If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything." Mark Twain