Fifty Plus (50+) - First Club Ride w/ Pics!

Just got back from our first club ride. What fun!! Great group of people. The first photo is a small pod getting ready for the ride. There were about 25 people there altogether. Various levels of riders and lots of kinds of bikes, including two tandems. And our very own 50+ Ken Cummings was there. He's in the second photo. Ken's on the right with his Bruce Gordon. That's my husband Steve standing next to him. The third and fourth photos are of the group enjoying our destination, Korbel Winery, before heading back the way we came. Lots of hills! (Although the ride leader called them "rollies") I was very very glad to have my granny. Lots of other riders had triples, too.

If you read this, Ken, thanks for the warm welcome!

Tru, I was hoping to return from our ride today and see a report from you. It sounds like a great ride and the pics always help to tell the story. Was it anything like you expected?

Hey, I don't see you in the pics!

Lots of other riders had triples, too.

You say it like triples are bad things! Glad you had fun.

Tru, I was hoping to return from our ride today and see a report from you. It sounds like a great ride and the pics always help to tell the story. Was it anything like you expected?

Hey, I don't see you in the pics!

It was a lot more fun and less intimidating than I expected. But it was a very "rolly" 32 miles. And on the way back some of those quiet country rodes had a bit of traffic. But I felt more confident in a group, and we got a good work out. And wonderful people! Very friendly. We weren't the only ones joining this group for the first time. So it wasn't just being on the receiving end of "welcome!" We reached out to other new riders, too.

Yes, I'm not in any pics. Not intentional; I'm not one of those people who hates to have a picture taken. But I failed to ask anyone to take a picture that included me. Next time!

Glad you both enjoyed the experience.

It won't be long now 'til you're leading rides.:)

Just got back from our first club ride. What fun!! Great group of people. The first photo is a small pod getting ready for the ride. There were about 25 people there altogether. Various levels of riders and lots of kinds of bikes, including two tandems. And our very own 50+ Ken Cummings was there. He's in the second photo. Ken's on the right with his Bruce Gordon. That's my husband Steve standing next to him. The third and fourth photos are of the group enjoying our destination, Korbel Winery, before heading back the way we came. Lots of hills! (Although the ride leader called them "rollies") I was very very glad to have my granny. Lots of other riders had triples, too.

If you read this, Ken, thanks for the warm welcome!

They aren't riding. They're sittin'!

Sounds like you might have found a good group to ride with. It would be fun to ride with a bunch of other people specially when you have a fun destination to go to.

As for the triples I have one & I used it this weekend. :p

Gglad you enjoyed the ride. I always look forward to my club rides.

I have a triple on each of my bikes and I know how to use it;)

It was a lot more fun and less intimidating than I expected. But it was a very "rolly" 32 miles. And on the way back some of those quiet country rodes had a bit of traffic. But I felt more confident in a group, and we got a good work out. And wonderful people! Very friendly. We weren't the only ones joining this group for the first time. So it wasn't just being on the receiving end of "welcome!" We reached out to other new riders, too.

Sounds like a great ride, Tru. I bet your triple came in handy many times. Group riding does add more confidence and, like so many things, there's often more fun in numbers. As much as I like being alone, I've found that I do not like riding alone.


Yes, I'm not in any pics. Not intentional; I'm not one of those people who hates to have a picture taken. But I failed to ask anyone to take a picture that included me. Next time!

Me too! That's why I'm perfectly happy being the one behind the camera.

They aren't riding. They're sittin'!
There were many times that I wanted to take a shot while we were riding, but I was afraid of being left behind. And heaven knows that I'm not balanced enough to pull out the camera while I'm riding. Maybe if I was on the back seat of a tandem? Although I'm not sure if that's ever a good idea. Each of the pair looked plenty busy, even the one on the back!

Sounds like a great first club ride, glad you enjoyed it!

The first time I've seen a picture of the famous Ken Cummings. I've enjoyed his stories from RAAM.
Now I'd like to see a pic of TruF!

Most of that traffic was due to a major local wineries promotion. Many of the people we passed had been sipping wine all morning. If you think those were hills I'll take you alone the Tour of California route. Or some of Leipheimers' training hills. Tough enough for a beginner tho'. Wait for some of the night rides we take through those areas. My pannier had a quart of Korbel brandy in it on the return trip. You would never have been left behind on those rides. The leaders' husband always brings up the rear with tools and tubes. I've seen him come in half an hour late with someone.

Sounds like it was a bit of a push for you. But you were up to it and had fun.

You can't trust regular club riders when they tell you a course isn't very hilly.

Just like you can't trust people who eat a lot of spicy food when they tell you the food is mild.

Most of that traffic was due to a major local wineries promotion. Many of the people we passed had been sipping wine all morning. If you think those were hills I'll take you alone the Tour of California route. Or some of Leipheimers' training hills. Tough enough for a beginner tho'. Wait for some of the night rides we take through those areas. My pannier had a quart of Korbel brandy in it on the return trip. You would never have been left behind on those rides. The leaders' husband always brings up the rear with tools and tubes. I've seen him come in half an hour late with someone.

:D
Ken, by the way, left everyone in his dust. He had already made it to the Korbel tasting room, tasted various brandies, made and purchased his selection, and looked quite rested by the time everyone else rolled in to meet at the cafe. And that was after being a great host and chatting with Steve and me along the way. But at some point, he just vanished. And now we know the rest of the story.

Sounds like it was a bit of a push for you. But you were up to it and had fun.

You can't trust regular club riders when they tell you a course isn't very hilly.

Just like you can't trust people who eat a lot of spicy food when they tell you the food is mild.

Now I'll know what they REALLY mean when they say "rollies." I am pleased to report that although it was a bit of a push, we feel like we just got a bit of exercise yesterday. Nothing hurts except that I forgot to put on sunscreen and I've got a bit of a burn on my arms and neck. The weather here was so beautiful yesterday. High 60's low 70's with plenty of sunshine, except in the places we were surrounded by towering redwoods. (Sorry to those of you who have cabin fever due to the snow and ice!) :(

No cabin fever here! But I appreciate the sentiment.
http://www.brucew.com/gallery/albums/rides/me_portland_snow_work.sized.jpg

Glad to hear you enjoyed your ride. Our club's first ride of the season is this weekend. It may melt by then...

...High 60's low 70's with plenty of sunshine, except in the places we were surrounded by towering redwoods. (Sorry to those of you who have cabin fever due to the snow and ice!) :(

I, too, put in a few miles with the club this weekend. This has to be the best time of year for biking here in N. California.

tsl, you are impressively hard core. How many miles are you putting in these days?

No cabin fever here! But I appreciate the sentiment.
http://www.brucew.com/gallery/albums/rides/me_portland_snow_work.sized.jpg

Glad to hear you enjoyed your ride. Our club's first ride of the season is this weekend. It may melt by then...

tsl, great pic! What model Trek is that?

Great story! Good to hear you had a positive experience with your first club ride. Maybe I missed it in the posts above . . . but what club is it?

What's the address of their website?

Our club website is here: www.ocrebels.com (http://www.ocrebels.com)

Rick / OCRR

Great story! Good to hear you had a positive experience with your first club ride. Maybe I missed it in the posts above . . . but what club is it?

What's the address of their website?

Our club website is here: www.ocrebels.com (http://www.ocrebels.com)

Rick / OCRR

www.srcc.com Santa Rosa Cycling club

tsl, great pic! What model Trek is that?

It's a 2006 Trek Portland. It wears studded snow tires in the winter (Nokian Hakkapeliitta W106 in 700Cx35mm). I've ridden 600 miles since January 1st in all conditions on it.

www.srcc.com (http://www.srcc.com) Santa Rosa Cycling club

Thanks Ken!

So I see you are the club that puts on the Terrible Two. I've always wanted to try that. I will sign up for this year IF I complete the Mulholland Double under the time limit :).

Rick / OCRR

It's a 2006 Trek Portland. It wears studded snow tires in the winter (Nokian Hakkapeliitta W106 in 700Cx35mm). I've ridden 600 miles since January 1st in all conditions on it.

It takes a lot to impress me, and I'm impressed!

:D
Ken, by the way, left everyone in his dust. He had already made it to the Korbel tasting room, tasted various brandies, made and purchased his selection, and looked quite rested by the time everyone else rolled in to meet at the cafe. And that was after being a great host and chatting with Steve and me along the way. But at some point, he just vanished. And now we know the rest of the story.

I Like Ken- A man who has his priorities right.

It's a 2006 Trek Portland. It wears studded snow tires in the winter (Nokian Hakkapeliitta W106 in 700Cx35mm). I've ridden 600 miles since January 1st in all conditions on it.

I think it's a great picture, too. How do you keep your feet warm? Winter riding shoes?

Sounds like a great ride TruF. Thanks for sharing.

I think it's a great picture, too. How do you keep your feet warm? Winter riding shoes?

Yup. Lake MXZ302-X (http://www.lakecycling.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=MXZ302-X). The -X denotes the wide version. Real leather, insulated, water and wind-proof, SPD, reflective thingies front and rear. I like 'em a lot.

Glad you had a good ride, nice meeting you at the start, hope to see you & Steve again on a club ride. :)

Glad you had a good ride, nice meeting you at the start, hope to see you & Steve again on a club ride. :)
Hey, Jack! I didn't know you were a forum member! It was very, very nice meeting you yesterday. You were another one who left everyone in the dust. Were you with Ken tasting brandies while we slackers caught up? :D

I looked at the club calendar, but the next few weeks feature only 50+ mile rides. On hills. Don't know if I'm ready for one of those yet... Do you plan on joining more rides? if I remember correctly, this was your first ride with this group?

Yes, I plan on future rides with the club, just haven't set a date yet. Are you & Steve coming to the meeting wednesday night ? I think you would enjoy our group. We can talk about future rides at that time maybe....:)

I was thinking about coming to the meeting. I work really close to Occidental and Stony Point Roads. Do you think I can make a case for more 30 mile rides for folks like me? :o

Oh, I have a question for you: Every summer they close off the business park where I work for a group of cyclists to ride round and round and round. Do you know who they are and how to join the ride? I'm not interested in racing, but laps right outside my door would be kind of fun (and convenient!) Or maybe Ken knows? I work off of Corporate Center Parkway.

I am sure the club would be interested in more 30m rides, maybe you can lead one real soon. Not sure about the races at the business park, but we can find out Wednesday night. :)