"Peter Scandrett" wrote in message in South
Manchester, and was wondering if there's any groups out
there that I could join for the occasional gentle pootle. I'm aware of the
Chorlton Wanderers -
http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/cycling/chwan.htm - which seem to be
great but are not quite ideal as they seem to go further than I know I can
manage. I reckon that the 34 miles I did the other day is pretty much on
my limit, but they tend to do 30-50 miles each time which I think for me
is pushing it. I might be able to cope, who knows, but I don't want to go
and be stuck somewhere and become a liability for people.

I would choose who you join carefully Peter, so you don't end up with the
"wrong" group. My best distance was 235 miles and I though I was fairly fit
and so joined the local road club. They were much fitter than I was and I
went out with them twice a week and took a good kicking every time. I have
lost count of the number of people who have turned up, got hammered and then
slowly drifted away after getting sick of being left behind. In fact, they
seem to take delight on seeing them put off, which seems wrong to me.

As it happened I stuck with it and got sucked into time trialling which is
another form of misery altogether ;-) There *are* groups out there who just
go out for a jolly, but if you turn up with a bunch of guys in cool shades
and carbon road bikes, run as far away as possible or take the beating on
the chin week after week.
Looking at your group in Chorlton Cum Hardy though, they seem like the sort
of group who are on a social ride rather than my lot of assassins, so you
should be OK there. Don't worry about the distance, you'll be pleasantly
surprised at how far you can ride in a group rather than solo. Good luck.

--
Simon Mason
http://www.simonmason.karoo.net