"Membership" Inquiries
Interested in joining our rag tag crew? Perhaps you just feel like punching Sir Nagsalot's precious nag-hole? While we're putting "formal" membership on hold starting this year, we're still always happy to meet and share our riding experiences with new people. Please drop us a line at membership@rmbb.org.
Mailing List
In addition to the postings seen on this site, trip and ride sponsors periodically send out details for each event via group emails. The club also uses email to distribute our way-cool monthly newsletter, the "RMBB Update." To get on this mailing list, please contact mailinglist@rmbb.org. Don't worry: we hate junk mail as much as you do and will never share your email address with any other organization, period!
FAQs
1) May I ride with the Bicycle Boys without being a member?
Of course! We think we're a fun bunch of folks. We'd love for you to think so too before you join the club. Besides, starting this year, the idea of "membership" (like knighthood) will become obsolete, and we will no longer collect yearly dues.
2) Do I have to buy all the stuff listed on "The Sport" for the first ride?
No. If you are new to the sport, you might want to rent or borrow a bike, helmet and some gloves. Once you discover the thrill that comes with mountain biking, you will also learn the value of good equipment. Over time you will accumulate more gear, as you become a more proficient rider.
3) Will riding with the Bicycle Boys make me gay?
Ahh, if it were only that easy... Of course not. It is also important to note that while we are the most active, gay mountain biking club around, we are NOT the most gay, active mountain biking club around. Riding in platform shoes and flowing feather boas, while undeniably a fantastic sight to behold, is just not very practical. Try it! We think you'll agree.
4) Darn! So what will make me gay?
Just a theory, but-- if you're a guy -- the uncontrollable desire to wear makeup, put on fabulous wigs, dance to Streisand, make fabulous floral arrangements and redesign rooms will probably make you gay... so very, very gay indeed! Oh, overuse of the word "fabulous" is also a promising sign.
5) Is the club a good way to "meet" others (wink, wink)?
Well, aren't you a cheeky monkey! Truth be told, the club has not proven itself to be an effective way for people to "hook up." We don't think we're a bunch of ugly jerks, but you can look at our photos to judge for yourself. Fact is, we're a mountain biking club. We love biking. The only things we seem to ride are bikes, and the only things we seem to lube are chains. Sigh...
6) Most of the of the trails and rides listed on this web site sound pretty intimidating. What's a beginner bike rider to do?
Not all trails will break you or your bike. Most of us started out on the gravel paths running through the city. The club has a pamphlet rating dozens of trails that are well suited for beginners. You may freely print out a copy from the link here. Try out a couple of easy trails on your own (most folks ride more comfortably if there's no peer pressure from others) or give us a holler if you'd rather have some company. Many club members welcome the chance to ride something easier for a change and introduce others to the sport.
7) Speaking of rides, what are they like?
Well, you sit on this two-wheeled contraption, push the two "pedals" on both sides, and fun inevitably ensues. Until you run into an immovable object. Then fun ensues for everyone else! Kidding!! Besides that, club rides come in at least four different flavors:
- Day rides are just one-day outings. We generally carpool up to the mountains in the morning, ride, have lunch on the trail, and head back home by the afternoon. Everyone rides at their own pace. To keep riders from getting separated, an experienced rider usually leads the pack while another sweeps up the rear, and we regroup at trail intersections. Cost is generally free, although contributions to the carpool drivers for gas are greatly appreciated.
- Evening or training rides are sponsored occasionally after work during the peak riding season. They're held close by in the foothills just west of town due to the limited hours of light.
- Multi-day or weekend trips are usually sponsored a couple of times each month. Overnight lodgings may range from campsites to rustic cabins and huts to luxurious condos and vacation homes. We plan for multiple rides over the entire trip. Meals of some sort (often quite gourmet!) are usually included. Prices are minimal to cover the costs of lodging, food, and other items. These are also the only rides which incur the $5 trip fee to fund the minimal financial needs of the club.
- Lastly, there are the bike-n-beer rides. They're day rides but tend to be more laid-back and social. Often, they are exploratory to seek out new, fun rides in the area. Drinks and food afterwards in a nearby bar or brewery serve to compensate for any bad trails or celebrate any newly found gems.
8) What do you guys do in the winter?
Until snowbiking catches on, the club basically hibernates in the winter. Monthly potlucks are put on hold, and many members switch to their winter gear to enjoy the abundance of snow in the mountains. Downhill and crosscountry skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and competitive hot cocoa sipping are all popular winter sports. Sometimes members will sponsor day trips or multi-day getaways for the club. More often, they just get together with friends for spontaneous outings. Of course, there are those who temporarily flee the cold and go biking on vacation trips to warmer settings in Mexico, Australia, Hawaii, or elsewhere.
9) Back to the gay issue... Let's say I know a friend who really wants to become gay, how...
NEXT QUESTION!!! ...please.
10) How much will a good mountain bike cost me?
Good news: mountain biking overall is cheaper than road biking. Bad news: it's still not cheap, by any means. An amazing amount of research and innovation has gone into the development of today's mountain bike, and that is reflected in the price. High end bikes can sell for $5,000 and beyond (NOT including streamers or banana seats!). Yikes! Luckily, you can find competent starter hardtail bikes as low as $800, while $1,500 will fetch a good full-suspension bike.
Sir Nagsalot strongly recommends that you buy from a reputable bike shop rather than a department or "big box" store, as you will find better selection, more knowledgeable staff, and superior bike assembly. Bargains can be found at the end of the season when shops want to reduce their inventory for the winter months, and again in the spring when shops want to clear out last year's models. If you know what you want, you may have success finding your next bike on E-Bay, Craigslist, MTBR.com, or some other internet site.
11) Your trips are priced so low. What's the catch?
The "catch" is that we're not a guide service. Unlike commercial outfitters, club trips are sponsored and funded by individual members who split their costs equally between all participants. The club does not generate or keep any profits other than the $5 surcharge added to the cost of multi-day trips. Riders are basically sharing the costs with their friends. Any excess money is generally refunded back to trip goers. The "catch" for such bargains: don't expect trip hosts to do all the chores, set up your tents, or regale you with stale stories told to countless others. And if a boulder drops on your bike or head, you may get loads of sympathy, but don't expect any legal compensation.
12) Sounds like you're just a silly bunch of friends. Are you a licensed, bonded, and insured organization? Are you current with Federal Tax Code 405B, and are you compliant with Statute 9004 from the Business Association of Colorado?
Whoa! Where did all the precious time go? Sorry, kids, there will be no more questions!!
In all honesty, we joke around here a lot, but we won't lie to you. We do not pretend to offer you anything we're not upfront about. If you want to ride with some cool people, hang with us. If you want to sign pages and pages of legal waivers, there are lots of more responsible (and richer!) clubs out there. If you're bored and feel like suing us for moola, Sir Nagsalot's holdings in Consolidated Serfdoms Inc. haven't been doing very well, so good luck getting this poor, little rock to bleed.
13) That sounds sad. How can I help out? Does your club take donations?
It may sound sad, but instead of just writing us a check, come join us on a day ride or multi-day trip. We are not here to rake in the big bucks. We ARE very happy to meet new friends! So come on a multi-day trip. The small $5 surcharge should be enough to keep us chugging along.
14) Are these real Frequently Asked Questions or did you just make them up?
Okay, we made some up. It's pretty easy to guess which ones. Again, we think we're a fun bunch of folks, and if you've read all the way down to this last question, hopefully you'll agree. Thanks for your attention.
Couldn't find your specific inquiries with the FAQ? Please feel free to contact us at membership@rmbb.org.
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