New (beautiful) road bike -> what now?

I've been a bike commuter for 3 years now, love my bike, love to ride, but have been itching to get a little more serious about things and go on smoother, longer, faster rides. So this weekend I finally pulled the trigger on my first road bike. (I'm weak in the knees just thinking about it!) So now I'm wanting to find some groups to go do some weekend rides with, or just some cycling partners, but I don't know where to start. All the cycle clubs seem intimidating - I'm not a racer (yet) - just want a smooth intro into this next level of biking.

Suggestions?

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Permalink Reply by Michael A on April 23, 2012 at 4:09pm

Check out the Chicago Cycling Club, they have rides for all types of riders and groups

http://chicagocyclingclub.org/

BTW< NICE BIKE

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Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on April 23, 2012 at 4:37pm

And also check the calendar here at the chainlink, too. There are rides that pop up created by users here.

Congratulations on the beautiful bike!

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Permalink Reply by Carrie on April 23, 2012 at 4:39pm

Thanks! I may or may not have gotten out of bed last night in the middle of the night to look at it for just a sec. But yes, these are good starts. Thanks....

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Permalink Reply by ilter on April 24, 2012 at 1:20am

What are you waiting for, trying to set the ride date !? :))

John W. said:

First Friday Ride will be posted soon. Keep an eye out.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Courtright on April 24, 2012 at 2:25am

Look up the Evanston Bike Club. Lots of rides at all levels and speeds.

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Permalink Reply by Andrew on April 24, 2012 at 3:51am

Even if you're not planning on racing (yet), you'd likely get a lot out of this clinic on Saturday in terms of bike-handling skills, group ride etiquette, and just general information. Vanessa B of the Half Acre cycling team/IL Cycling Association has spearheaded several events in the past month or so that seem squarely aimed at women who are interested in cycling beyond just commuting/transportation and looking to take a next step. My wife participated in some of them and really got a lot out of it, much of which has utility in many aspects of cycling, not just racing.

As of mid-March, she had never ever been on a road bike; by the end of the month, in no small part due to VB's outreach efforts, she'd gone out on a Half Acre Saturday morning ride and participated in all 4 nights of the Gaper's Block Criterium. Now she's in the midst of assembling her first "fast" bike (which will hopefully be done in time for Saturday's clinic). She's not sure if she's going to go all-in on racing, but has found these events and clinics really great in terms of taking a next step beyond riding (mostly) for transportation.

Enjoy the new bike!

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Permalink Reply by SmilingBob on April 24, 2012 at 3:55am

You can check for rides here, listed in the calendar. Also on Mike Bentley's website he has a lot of Illinois rides listed and on Wisconsin Bicycle Federation's site there are LOTS of rides listed.

There are also lots of clubs in the area, everything from clubs that help you train for racing to just groups that enjoy cycling. The best way to get a feel for the club is to do a ride with them. On the sites listed above there are sections with links to the area's clubs. Most, if not all, of the clubs enjoy having non-members join them in rides.

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Permalink Reply by Chuckchuck on April 24, 2012 at 6:41am

Go ride hard. Practice holding a line by riding carefully on or just off the white line for as long as you can. Try to catch riders who pass. But mostly you just have to put in a ton of hours on the bike. Mile after mile. Sheridan road north has lots of friendly riders who may help if you ask. But what really makes you a good rider are the lonely solo hours on the bike.

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on April 24, 2012 at 6:42am

We've got rides at all levels. You don't have to be a racer. Come out and give us a try!

Michael A said:

Check out the Chicago Cycling Club, they have rides for all types of riders and groups

http://chicagocyclingclub.org/

BTW< NICE BIKE

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Permalink Reply by Rosa Gaia Saunders on April 25, 2012 at 7:18am

Hey Carrie, I coordinate a charity cycling program which is a great option for someone who wants to get really good training for long distance events while making a difference. If you are interested in training for a century ride, fighting cancer, and meeting an incredible and inspiring group of people, check out Team in Training, the endurance training program of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In exchange for training and support, you help raise money towards cures for blood cancers like leukemia -- the No. 1 disease killer of children -- lymphoma and myeloma.

Our Fall Cycle Events include a Gran Fondo in Las Vegas, a beautiful century ride in Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan; an exhilarating course in Tucson , Arizona and our local, LLS organized ride in Highland park, Blood Sweat and Tears.

For more information, fill out this form, give me a ring at 312-568-7730 or shoot me an email at rosa.saunders@lls.org.