Last summer I rode for a while with a really nice bunch. Although they were all very strong riders they were so non-elitist and none were clydes. In fact I just met them while I was on a solo ride and they invited me to join them the following week. They always had a non-drop ride when I was invited and had a seperate drop ride where I could just not show up or try to keep up as long as possible (usually only til the first steep hill).
The problem is I think I actually prefer solo riding. I can go at my own pace, stop when I want, change pace depending on how I feel, eat and drink anytime, take random detours. Even if people say it is non-drop and don't seem to mind waiting, I always felt embarrassed holding things up or pushed myself too hard to keep up.
Now the weather is getting better I'm expecting the group to start riding together soon. I actully feel a bit of trepidation! I'm wondering how to tell them I would rather not ride with them when they are so friendly to accommodate me. They have nothing to gain by including me ... except maybe my charming company for the post ride coffee.
What do you like about group riding if you never race so don't need pack skills?
Juggler2
03-25-08, 04:06 PM
I'd say your very lucky to have found such a group. I envy your good fortune. As for riding solo... just tell them the truth.
speedxl
03-25-08, 04:22 PM
Riding in groups pushes your limits because you want to do better, your lucky you found such a group. I bet after a while you will get dropped less, go on solo rides when they do have the drop rides. Seems like you got a choice. Its nice having friends on 2 wheels. Good Luck.
jaxgtr
03-25-08, 04:48 PM
I have a group I ride with on occasion. Nice group and no one tries to show anyone up. We are going to try and ride the MS 150 together this year.
Roody
03-25-08, 05:17 PM
I'm like the OP. I prefer solo riding or riding with one or two friends. But if I was included in a friendly group like he was, I would probably join them once in a while. Maybe I would explain that I like riding with them, but my schedule is going to make it hard to do that more than once or twice a month. I wouldn't think of that as a lie, since I really do schedule my solo rides.
chipcom
03-25-08, 05:22 PM
It doesn't have to be a one-or-the-other thing. I like riding solo and I like riding with a group. Riding solo is like meditation time - my alone time...MY time, while riding with a group helps to increase your fitness, bike handling and social skills.
piper_chuck
03-25-08, 06:01 PM
What do you like about group riding if you never race so don't need pack skills?
A group pushes you harder. This can translate to faster and/or longer rides
Someone to talk to
Someone to help if an emergency develops
New friends
Positive role models, from a fitness perspective at least
When I was at my peak, 11 or so years ago, I rode with groups a couple times a week and on my own the rest of the time. One of the groups was mostly stronger, faster, but over time, less so . The other groups were usually people with similar or less speed and strength than me. On those rides, I used the skills I learned from the other groups to lead rides and help newer riders.
One of my goals this year is to get at least one group ride going in my area.
flip18436572
03-25-08, 06:40 PM
I would like to try a group ride, and was hoping to do so when I was headed to Tennessee, but scheduling conflicts left me with no free time. There isn't anyone in my area to ride with, or at least that I am aware of.
revolator
03-25-08, 06:52 PM
It is easy to ride by yourself, anytime you choose to, weather permitting. Harder to find company to ride with, when you do, it's well worth it.
10 Wheels
03-25-08, 07:10 PM
I joined in with a group of retires that ride six days a week. Wednesdays is down day. We had nine show up last Thursday. With the different mix of bikes and riders it is a Blast. Four of them are former road racers. One has a low to the road trike. Another a custom bent. We are joined sometimes by two young Tri racers, on 11 lb bikes. 50 to 75 miles each ride on county roads. Meet afterwards for coffee, beer , what ever at ones house.
The leader has logged 160,000 plus miles.
MetalClydesdale
03-25-08, 08:14 PM
I tend to prefer riding in groups because I like the company and the opportunity to challenge one another. I enjoy riding alone too, but I don't like to do it all the time.
When I still lived in Eugene I had a lot of people to ride with which I really enjoyed. Since moving to Ukiah I have been unable to find anyone. About half the riders I've met here tend to avoid any ride longer than 20 miles and the other half are racers and triatheletes. Both are nice groups of people but the former doesn't ride far enough for me and the later tends to outpace me in short order.
Wogsterca
03-25-08, 08:26 PM
Last summer I rode for a while with a really nice bunch. Although they were all very strong riders they were so non-elitist and none were clydes. In fact I just met them while I was on a solo ride and they invited me to join them the following week. They always had a non-drop ride when I was invited and had a seperate drop ride where I could just not show up or try to keep up as long as possible (usually only til the first steep hill).
The problem is I think I actually prefer solo riding. I can go at my own pace, stop when I want, change pace depending on how I feel, eat and drink anytime, take random detours. Even if people say it is non-drop and don't seem to mind waiting, I always felt embarrassed holding things up or pushed myself too hard to keep up.
Now the weather is getting better I'm expecting the group to start riding together soon. I actully feel a bit of trepidation! I'm wondering how to tell them I would rather not ride with them when they are so friendly to accommodate me. They have nothing to gain by including me ... except maybe my charming company for the post ride coffee.
What do you like about group riding if you never race so don't need pack skills?
Sometimes you just wanna yap with someone as you ride, so even if you can't ride with the group for every ride, you should stay in contact with them, so that when you want a group ride, you can go, when you want to be solo, just go solo. You will also find, the skill of riding in a peloton very handy for strength, speed and precision training rides, and those are handy skills. By drafting a stronger and faster rider, you become stronger and faster yourself, and you learn to be more in control of your bicycle, hanging on someone else's wheel.
I prefer solo riding as well, the biggest reason though, is that I like photography as well, and the bicycle goes with photography like bacon does with eggs. Lower speed, and the ability to easily pull completely off the road, make it easy to do. I didn't do as much as I wanted last year, but I want to extend my range this year, and get in a century before my birthday (mid June) and an American measure century before the end of the season, now if only the weather would improve. Regular training rides for the year start in less then 3 weeks, so we need to get rid of the white stuff.
v1k1ng1001
03-25-08, 09:08 PM
Group rides are pretty fun and it sounds like a good group. I'd stick with them.
Tom Stormcrowe
03-25-08, 09:28 PM
I like both. If I'm wanting to process mentally while I'm riding, though, I prefer alone. Then it's a meditation and I can get clarity of thinking. ;)
The Historian
03-25-08, 09:30 PM
I'd say your very lucky to have found such a group. I envy your good fortune. As for riding solo... just tell them the truth.
On the same subject, I recommend the Fat Cyclist's little essay on "The Core Team":
I know that I ride more when I have regular commitments to my club rides.
cyclezealot
03-25-08, 10:04 PM
I do both. My cycling buddies are great people . I look forward to group rides. Makes a ride more fun. Still, solo can be nice when you want to concentrate on the ride and just be alone with your bike.
Mr. Beanz
03-25-08, 10:05 PM
Yes and No! Yes when it's with a bunch that I know. We have a few riders that we know and join in as we go by along the trail. I'm usually out in front so I keep a steady pace, no sprinting or opening gaps so that the wife keeps up without having to struggle. We don't mind a fast pace as long as it doesn't involve sprints.
No when a rider decides to take the lead after drafting for 30 miles then sprints off the front. Holding 19 then he goes around and picks it up to 24.................for 2 minutes. Then drops back down to 19.:rolleyes:
Yes cause I like to hold a pace and give all riders a chance to stay in the paceline. It's fun when there are about 10 riders and they all feel safe. We can go fast or slow as long as we're all on the same level.
No when you email 5 riders, 3 times a week by request on ride info. Then get 5 calls at breakfast on ride day all within 3 or 4 minutes. Got to the point I don't answer the phone before a ride.
Yes when some of the monster rider like Big John get in front and carry a high pace but allow others to hang on if they can. No arrogance, just pure power!
No when you catch up to a group of club riders, hten they look back at you like they are trying to drop you after you closed the gap of about 2 miles! Silly wabbits! It's always fun to see a group of guys drop jaw when the wife kicks their azzes!:D
Wogsterca
03-26-08, 07:26 AM
No when you catch up to a group of club riders, hten they look back at you like they are trying to drop you after you closed the gap of about 2 miles! Silly wabbits! It's always fun to see a group of guys drop jaw when the wife kicks their azzes!:D
It's even more fun, when you see a group of kitted out skinny 20 somethings on the latest fancy plastic bicycles, and they get dropped by a 50 something fred on a 70's steel, bike boom 10 speed, who has more fat on him then the whole dozen of them, combined..:eek::D
Pinyon
03-26-08, 08:54 AM
The bike community is pretty large here, so there is a wide variety of group rides, and people that show up at them. You can show up at the same no-drop ride, and one week everybody is chatty, helping each other, strong riders cutting the wind, etc. The next week you show up to the same ride, and with a slightly different mix of people it is a racer-type hammer-fest. You know, where they take turns to reluctantly drop back and stay miles behind the pack with the other small group of "no drops".
The rides without a no-drop policy around here can be brutal. They GO HARD, and it is like a mini-race every single time they leave the parking lot.
I don't race or ride with groups on charity or lone long distance rides, but I always learn something that makes riding more enjoyable when I go on group rides. If it is not riding technique, it is physically watching a new, to me, flick-of-the-wrist while someone fixes something on a bike that broke down. Group rides also instill that competitive spirit in me, which makes me ride harder, which in turn gets me into better shape, so that I can better enjoy the scenery and stufff on my lone rides.
If you like how these guys ride, and can make the ride schedule-wise, then I would probably go if I were you. It is only once per week, right? You have six other days per week to ride alone. Shake things up.
Have fun out there!
JohnKScott
03-26-08, 01:43 PM
I have never joined a club or been on a group ride (with the exception of riding with doghouse and his son and a few other folks here and there at the last (and first) century ride I did last fall). I have been thinking about joining a local club to do some group rides. I would like to learn better pack riding skills and be challenged to improve by people who are faster than me. Can't help it, I like to get faster and faster. Maybe I need to race someday :D. It also would be kind of fun to meet some other folks in the area with a similar interest.
OTOH, I really like riding solo. I like to take some "just for fun" rides and take pictures like I did last Friday on my first 100k ride of the year. I also like to be able to follow my training routine or just try to go out and beat my best time on a course I've ridden before or just time trial like a maniac (even though I'm not a fast maniac..yet). Plus, I like leaving and getting back on MY schedule :D.
So, I probably will join a club (got invited to come to a club ride last Friday when I had to make an emergency stop at a LBS due to a blow out). Get to know some of the folks and ride with them on occasion. But I probaby wouldn't commit to every week or twice a week. I don't see any problem with that. It's just a little variation from the routine. Plus, if I join a club and pay the dues, they probably won't care anyway :D.
coasting
03-26-08, 03:00 PM
I think I might stick with the group rides as so many suggested. It really is a nice bunch. It's not a formal club just a bunch of keen cyclists who used to race before they came to the UK.
Maybe I just go every other week with the group on shorter rides where I can push harder and then go solo for long slow fat burning rides. Maybe I can surprise them as I improve. Actually they do the no-drop ride as a recovery ride so I can use it as a push myself ride.
jakereed
03-26-08, 04:01 PM
I go on solo rides, but with so many people passing me on the bike path I feel like I'm riding in a group. :eek::eek:
themetalman
03-26-08, 05:29 PM
it would be nice to find a group to ride with, every group is pretty much skinny rider and when you are a clydesdale they tend to want to drop you.
DieselDan
03-26-08, 06:25 PM
it would be nice to find a group to ride with, every group is pretty much skinny rider and when you are a clydesdale they tend to want to drop you.
Real cyclists can't stand us fatasses blocking the way.
Mr. Beanz
03-26-08, 06:52 PM
it would be nice to find a group to ride with, every group is pretty much skinny rider and when you are a clydesdale they tend to want to drop you.
Ever visit the SoCal forums here? The guy in the red is from Burbank too. We've done a few 72 milers on the SanGabriel Trail. Maybe 20-30 riders. Most of the time we stay together really well. Not sure of your abilities but if you ride, this is a good group. Don't need to be a racer but roadbikes help. Not a good pace for mtb's or hybrids. Last ride was fast but the next one will be at a slower pace. We do about 16 average, good pace but no sprints and no looking back to make sure the others fall off.
Might be another in April
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/depart.jpg
coasting
03-26-08, 07:11 PM
[QUOTE=Mr. Beanz;6410925]Ever visit the SoCal forums here? The guy in the red is from Burbank too. We've done a few 72 milers on the SanGabriel Trail. Maybe 20-30 riders. Most of the time we stay together really well. Not sure of your abilities but if you ride, this is a good group. Don't need to be a racer but roadbikes help. Not a good pace for mtb's or hybrids. Last ride was fast but the next one will be at a slower pace. We do about 16 average, good pace but no sprints and no looking back to make sure the others fall off.
The 16 mph average...is it done mainly on roads like the one in your picture? I'm just trying to guage my riding level. 16 on flat routes but on rolling hills with lots of short sharp hills it drops to 14. Both 60 milers.
coasting
03-26-08, 07:21 PM
Real cyclists can't stand us fatasses blocking the way.
On one occassion I got dropped and after going solo for a while I headed home. I was surprised by a call from behind not of "on your right" or something similar but of "get that lardy ass out of the way". I turned round to see a grinning maniac...I had been caught by the group on its way back! A nice croissant made up for it though.
kenseth03
03-26-08, 08:00 PM
I would give anything to have a group to ride with. My problem is that I am scared to appraoch the local bicycle club because I don't want to be the fat ass that everyone has to wait for. My other problem is that alot of the bicyclist I run into in my area are pretty snotty acting. Hardly ever does someone ever wave or even give a friendly nod when I pass them. We definately have a few bike snobs around here.
Mr. Beanz
03-26-08, 09:15 PM
[QUOTE=Mr. Beanz;6410925]Ever visit the SoCal forums here? The guy in the red is from Burbank too. We've done a few 72 milers on the SanGabriel Trail. Maybe 20-30 riders. Most of the time we stay together really well. Not sure of your abilities but if you ride, this is a good group. Don't need to be a racer but roadbikes help. Not a good pace for mtb's or hybrids. Last ride was fast but the next one will be at a slower pace. We do about 16 average, good pace but no sprints and no looking back to make sure the others fall off.
The 16 mph average...is it done mainly on roads like the one in your picture? I'm just trying to guage my riding level. 16 on flat routes but on rolling hills with lots of short sharp hills it drops to 14. Both 60 milers.
Yup, mostly flat on this trail. The wind is what makes the ride tough, not the hills or slight elevation gain on the return. We had some real strong riders last time out bu the average was 17.5. Don't believe the stories so many tell about the 24 mph into the wind and snow with no shoes on!:D
The 16 is pretty good. I've done 40 milers at 19 mph going all out. Doing 18 is tough and 17 is nice. So many others do 24 mph (:rolleyes:) but for some strange reason, I pass most of them on the trail without breathing hard!:p .So your 16 is real good for the 60:D
The Historian
03-26-08, 09:17 PM
I would give anything to have a group to ride with. My problem is that I am scared to appraoch the local bicycle club because I don't want to be the fat ass that everyone has to wait for. My other problem is that alot of the bicyclist I run into in my area are pretty snotty acting. Hardly ever does someone ever wave or even give a friendly nod when I pass them. We definately have a few bike snobs around here.
The last thing you want to do is avoid the club because you MIGHT be dropped. Don't borrow trouble. Often clubs will have beginners rides, or they can refer you to other riders about your ability.
Mr. Beanz
03-26-08, 09:25 PM
I would give anything to have a group to ride with. My problem is that I am scared to appraoch the local bicycle club because I don't want to be the fat ass that everyone has to wait for. My other problem is that alot of the bicyclist I run into in my area are pretty snotty acting. Hardly ever does someone ever wave or even give a friendly nod when I pass them. We definately have a few bike snobs around here.
Believe it or not, there are some very good people on some of the club rides. Usually the strongest 2 or 3. The others are just hanging on pretending they are fast while sucking wheel (not all, but the snotty ones). Some of the group rides (SoCal) are nice cause we invite riders to jump on. Like always, someone has a bad day but we regroup at certain points so nobody really falls too far behind.
Get the 2 or 3 rides away form the group then you will se they are the most encouraging.
We have a group of the guys that like to ride with me and the wife. I hold it at 17 or 18. IF I pick it up too much, the wife complains and the guys back her every word!:D
Mr. Beanz
03-26-08, 09:36 PM
The other reason not to avoid a club is cause you meet people that can help with wheels and such. I myself have a rear Ultegra/600 28 hub, front hub 24 and a 28 105 rear hub, 8 (9 compatible) speeds that I would glady hand over to a ride partner. Just think how cheap a clyde could get off with a good strong wheel!
I've sent stuff across the country before but ended up spending more in shipping than the part is worth, so I don't do that anymore!:D
I ride with a group during the summers, it's a great time. There are those that push me and then there are those whom I push, it's a great time really. Go out for dinner/hangout afterwords and they do many other weekend type get togethers. I think it's great, sometimes it gets you out even if you normally wouldn't!
wrk101
03-27-08, 06:25 PM
No, partially because I am a newbie (slow). If I found a group that rode the same pace as me, great, but I do not think such a group exists....
chipcom
03-27-08, 08:28 PM
The last thing you want to do is avoid the club because you MIGHT be dropped. Don't borrow trouble. Often clubs will have beginners rides, or they can refer you to other riders about your ability.
and as Neil here knows, not all of us roadies are skinny or mean...we even go back and make sure those who have fallen off the back for one reason or another are ok and ride with them back to the main group. Group rides are not all races. ;)
The Historian
03-27-08, 08:42 PM
and as Neil here knows, not all of us roadies are skinny or mean...we even go back and make sure those who have fallen off the back for one reason or another are ok and ride with them back to the main group. Group rides are not all races. ;)
I've met many serious roadies who were nice folk. Including Chipcom. Believe it or not. :D
chipcom
03-27-08, 09:01 PM
You can call me Shirley, but please don't call me Serious!
The Historian
03-28-08, 04:26 AM
No, partially because I am a newbie (slow). If I found a group that rode the same pace as me, great, but I do not think such a group exists....
Have you looked for such a group? Or thought of forming one yourself? I was as new as you could get a year ago, and I found people to ride with. Heck, I'll ride with you if you live in the Philadelphia, PA, area. PM me.
The Historian
03-28-08, 04:31 AM
I would give anything to have a group to ride with. My problem is that I am scared to appraoch the local bicycle club because I don't want to be the fat ass that everyone has to wait for. My other problem is that alot of the bicyclist I run into in my area are pretty snotty acting. Hardly ever does someone ever wave or even give a friendly nod when I pass them. We definately have a few bike snobs around here.
Tom, it's time to bring out the Clyde-locator. Let's see if we can hook this fellow up with a riding partner.
Nycycle
03-28-08, 09:38 PM
No.
Trucker_JDub
03-28-08, 09:56 PM
So far I have not had the experience of riding with a group. The most that has been with me was 1 other person. I have had a couple brief 'how ya doin' type exchanges, usually as I'm being stomped on a hill. At least a friendly nod is usually exchanged even from the 'uber roadies'. The only person that has not acknowledged a greeting is the only female roadie I have seen in the area. She stomped me on a hill and nearly ran me off the road with out warning as she sped past me. Ive seen her a couple times, maybe she has a problem with my Fred-ness. I do the the public service of not wearing form fitting clothing. I would like to find a friendly organized group but there just isn't one to be found.
And Mr. Beanz, if you don't want to send parts cross country.. ..how about cross state:D Can't blame a guy for askin right;)
Mr. Beanz
03-28-08, 10:19 PM
And Mr. Beanz, if you don't want to send parts cross country.. ..how about cross state:D Can't blame a guy for askin right;)
28 hole hubs aint zactly for clydes but they will do if the builder does a good job. I once spent $4 to send a deraiilerur to NY, not bad. But one other time I spent $25 to send a bike rack to Washington. I think I might have paid $24 for the rack itself!:D
If you really need a 28, I'd send it to you ground service. None of this "next day, not really anyways" service!:D
You need one? I don't have the QR though!
Tom Stormcrowe
03-28-08, 10:28 PM
Tom, it's time to bring out the Clyde-locator. Let's see if we can hook this fellow up with a riding partner.
.......If you really need a 28, I'd send it to you ground service. None of this "next day, not really anyways" service!:D........
Thanks for the offer but I was more joking then anything. My next set of wheels will probably be a pair of 36 spoke Deep-V's hopefully Ultegra or better. If you want to clear out something along those lines let me know:D. I'm running a 28 front now with out a problem but every time I see a rough patch of road at 20+mph I see a worse case situation play out in my head. Again I thank you for the offer.
Mr. Beanz
03-28-08, 11:31 PM
Hey Trucker, I use a 28 Deep V on the front of my Lemond with no problems. I've got about 8,000 trouble free miles. Any thing more shallow I'd go with atleast 32 on the front like the CXP33 on my Cannondale.
I wish I had something you could use, but all 28 rears and one 24 front. Cool!:D
schnee
03-29-08, 12:04 AM
Are you kidding? People hating on clydes? Only if you pick the wrong group. SDBC, a club in our area, has everything from race-training 55-mile hammerfests to pleasant 10-mile intro rides.
I ride C++, and people love me on that ride... especially on the stretch from El Camino Real to the 101... a long, straight, slight incline into a fierce headwind. I end up pulling every time. Every other ride, someone tells me 'you're really fun to draft. I hardly had to work at all.'
Groups are a fun dynamic to me, very different from solo. Don't let your clyde stature dissuade you, there's probably a group that you'll fit into just fine, if you're interested.
Jawbone
03-29-08, 12:56 PM
I like both most of the time. Agree with schnee that when you're pulling into a headwind, the small, skinny folks behind LOVE you and don't really seem to care whether you're going a bit slower than they would like.
Most days, I prefer solo cuz it gives me a chance to explore, ride my own pace, etc.
When you get in with a good group that rides like you, it is fantastic.
funrover
03-29-08, 11:13 PM
Is it bad I have to slow down so others can catch up? LOL
Mr. Beanz
03-29-08, 11:44 PM
Is it bad I have to slow down so others can catch up? LOL
You need to ride with my wife, she'll teach you a lesson or two!:D
She's the short one third from the left, only Athena/chick on this forum ride.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/startline.jpg
This is her 15 miles down the road doing about 24mph with a group of about 6 guys trying to run her down. She's out in front in the black! Took them a while to catch her!:D....I stayed back with one of the guys having a bad day.:o
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/chasingGina.jpg