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@dulwichrider
Dulwich rides work by having slow Saturday rides to get people accustomed to the group riding thing.
I haven't done one of these for a while, but I think this year they were getting so large that they are being more organised, to make it safer and reduce the likelihood of complaints.
DP now have a route card for the ride with the route and some guidelines on it, and I think these rides are now being more formally led by established club riders.
Some of the faster riders spin round this ride but if they ride too fast they get shouted at. There are other rides for people that want to race or put the miles - with a longer, earlier Saturday ride, a very rangey Sunday ride and some fast weekday chaingangs.
There are some criticisms around that there is too much of a leap between the social and fun Saturday rides and the fast and long Sunday rides but nothing's perfect. Generally, the DP are a friendly bunch so these things are worked out.
Overall, however, there is a leap to be made from riding on your own, or with a mate or two, to riding in a club. Nothing too surprising - you have to make the effort with people and some of them will be grumpy old blokes who don't care about you, or making any effort. Overall though it's usually worth the effort, particularly if you want to meet people, talk bikes and do a bit of racing.
And I can't get over the pleasant surprise I had when I first went out with the club and found that I could just turn to stranger next to me and chat and have a laugh.