Ah, the most wonderful time of the year – minus the weather, and clogged roads filled by last minute shoppers… 

Christmas brings a lot of joy to many people. Whether it be because they get to spend time with family or friends, or just the simplicity of knowing the world is at peace and celebrating together. 

There’s nothing better than being out on your bike, seeing the Christmas decorations hanging from the communal trees and streets and stopping at your local cafe half way round your ride to grab a warm mince pie! 

In addition to the usual goodness of Christmas, for those new to clubs, you often get a Christmas club social – worth the excitement, and for those returning members – you know, when we say it’s an evening not to be missed, we mean it and we’re being honest. 

We all love socializing on our bikes, but, do you even know what half of your club looks like without a helmet? Because we sure as heck didn’t. Everybody, and we mean everybody looks very different out of their cycling kit and in casual clothes. You might not believe us yet, but give it time. 

What is a Christmas social?

The clue is quite literally in the name, it’s a time that clubs come together so socialize off the bike and Christmas is the perfect excuse for a good meal and some drinks, mixed with a little two-step boogie. 

Generally speaking, your club’s events organizer will arrange everything; including any activities, where you’re going to eat and also sort out the menu options with the chosen restaurant. Everyone will get an option on their choice of food, it tends to be a set menu with a few options, including desert – the most important course because it goes to the heart, soul food. 

Occasionally a few clubs will merge for a Christmas social – they might opt for a buffet style dinner and a dancing party, afterall who doesn’t love to lollop around the dance floor with friends. 

A majority of the time club members will have to pay for their own social – cost of food and drinks can sometimes be subsidized for big groups – the event organizer will let you know about this. It’s unlikely the club will be able to pay for members due to the sheer amount of you lovely cyclists! 

However, it can also be a great fundraising evening, if planned well. 

Why go to the social 

I mean, other than a perfect excuse to have a little alcoholic beverage (or two) during out-of-season months, it is generally a wonderful event, filled with happy club members, gorgeous smells flowing through your sinuses, bellies ready to pop from exquisite food and a time to thank everyone involved in your year of cycling with your club. 

You can also put names to faces – maybe you haven’t managed to meet everyone in the club yet, or maybe some people have been away since you joined – or the old helmet made them look like an alien on a bike and actually they look wonderfully human without it. 

It’s also a good way to bond with people and make new friends, everyone’s a little more at ease with a belly full of food, tucked away in a cozy restaurant as the snow falls outside (or rain if you’re in the UK) and the bartender keeps the drinks flowing. 

Go on, get in touch with your club officials if you haven’t heard anything, or you’re concerned, get involved – feel the overwhelming embrace that Christmas can provide.