Why not join a walking club?

Herongull

I've read part of the long threads about walking incentives such as Bounts and the 1,000 challenges but I couldn't help wondering why more people don't just join a walking club.

I know that in the old days Ramblers had an image problem, but some years ago they moved with the times and introduced groups for people of different ages.
http://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-finder.aspx

There are also other walking groups besides Ramblers - these often do a more diverse range of activities besides just walks eg cycling, hillwalking, trips away etc. Many YHA affiliated outdoor groups are like this. http://www.yha.org.uk/affiliate-groups

Joining the right outdoor or walking group doesn't just get you fitter, you make new friends and broaden your outlook.

SailorSam

I have to have a sit down when i walk as far as Tesco.
I'm glad i bought this walking stick when i did.

indesisiv

I am a member of a 18-40's ramblers group. Although I have struggled to make the walks recently.
I spend more time running than I do walking nowadays.

I do find that the problem with these groups is that the pace that you end up walking at can be painfully slow as you have to go to the speed of the slowest. But all of the people in the group are really nice.

We do at least a couple of trips away during the year at the minimum with the walking group. But also my running club does a few trips away for races and walking too.

spadoosh

Im quite anti social and can walk by myself. Think thats a good enough reason not to, it is for me anyway.

bugslet

Four dogs:D. Even I wouldn't walk with them if they weren't mine!

Ilona

Walking groups are ok for those who want to socialize while ambling along. I've tried it and it is not for me. They spend too much time chatting and miss all the wonderful sights in the countryside. They have to pace their walks so the slowest don't get left behind, not for me, I want to walk fast.

Group walks are generally easy terrain, between five and ten miles long. No good for me, I want to walk 15+ miles. Group walks often stop for a drink and food in a pub. Not for me, I take a pack up and will sit on a bale of hay. Group walks have a leader and the route is organized in advanced. I like to walk alone and take a map, and make up my own route depending on how much time I have got.

For those who are not used to walking and want to give it a try, the Ramblers is a good place to start. If anyone wants to do something a bit more strenuous there is the Long Distance Walking Association.
https://www.ldwa.org.uk/

Any walking is better than no walking, just do it.
Ilona

melanzana

I think it depends on our needs and wants. Like Ilona above, I prefer my own company and my own pace.

I just like to walk, take a pair of binoculars, and enjoy the fresh air at my own pace. I have joined many a group, but TBH I found walking and talking (or having to chat) with people I don't know very well, ok at the beginning but not for ten or more miles! Each to their own though.

Our local council has a scheme where once every two months or so arranges an historical walk through various parts of our city led by historians. They are brilliant, I love that!

Otherwise, it's just me, or if I let him, me and OH, although he is not as fast a walker as I am, but I forgive him for the chance to get out and about at least once a week.

I think it is a personal thing, and will work for some, but not for others.

MallyGirl

bugslet wrote: »

Four dogs:D. Even I wouldn't walk with them if they weren't mine!

I am with you - just 2 big boisterous dogs but definitely not suitable for group walking, especially if there are any other dogs.

Wizard_of_Id

I have joined the Ramblers and I go out with my local group at least twice a week and although I do enjoy the company whilst walking, sometimes they tend to concentrate on the location of the walk more than the actual walk itself.
I am not a fan of driving 30+ miles to get to a walk of 7 or 8 miles long, I would rather do a 10 mile walk closer to home even if it means going over the same routes as have been done recently.

Gloomendoom

spadoosh wrote: »

Im quite anti social and can walk by myself. Think thats a good enough reason not to, it is for me anyway.

I'm the same. I have been out on group walks and I hate it.

I like to observe the wildlife in the countryside. When I'm walking in a group the only things I see are in the distance. Anything close has been frightened off by the rustling of goretex and/or the clacking of (ridiculous) ski poles.

Herongull

Interesting range of replies.

I can see that a walking club doesn't really suit people who really prefer to walk by themselves or with several dogs.

For others, perhaps it is a case of finding the right walking group?

There are LDWA (Long Distance Walkers Association) https://www.ldwa.org.uk groups for people who like long hard walks (plus they also do lots of Challenge walks that you can do by yourself if you wish).

Ramblers has a variety of different types of groups.

Saturday walkers club http://www.walkingclub.org.uk does self-organised group walks (without leaders)

Central London Outdoor Group does both walks and cycle rides plus loads of trips http://www.clog.org.uk

the Gentian club just does hillwalking trips away http://www.gentianclub.org.uk

etc etc

If you do join a suitable group and go regularly, it is a very good way of making new friends - it shouldn't be a case of walking with strangers (except just the first time or two).