MadProphet

While I do enjoy the solitude of riding alone, I wouldn't mind finding someone else to ride with sometimes.

If any of you are new to the sport - read: slow - and live in the Chico or Paradise (preferred) area, I'd love to hear from you.

Since I live in Paradise, hill climbing is part of every single ride and I enjoy that part. I routinely climb 400-2000' as part of my rides, albeit in 1-3rd gears and at around 5-6mph. I'll travel down to Chico to ride the flats, but I'm still not a speedy rider. My last 15m trip down there had me at around 12-14mph.

If you're looking for the occasional riding partner, I'd love to hear from you.

MadProphet

So I see 40+ people have viewed... What's scaring off the replies? My speed? Noob? I'm interested in knowing what I need to improve.

I think I could have used a partner yesterday - tried to ride from the City Park in Paradise to Lake Paradise. Driven it many times, but didn't really check out the inclines. Google Earth shows those to be as high as 28%. Yeah. I found that out yesterday. At the point I was passing mile 7 of pure climbing, I met the 15-18% first corners. Damn. Just...damn. Made it up, but fell over at the top. Made it to within 1/2 mile of the lake turnoff before calling surrender.

Still, 14 miles total, 1700+ feet of elevation change. Good Sunday ride. That said, I do think someone else to encourage competition would be a plus. Even at 5.89mph.

ericm979

There's not many people here from that area.

To improve you need to ride more.

There's probably some touring clubs in your area who have organized rides. Check out https://www.chicovelo.org/main/

blt

Yes, check out that chicovelo link. The "New to Chico" paragraph near the bottom will be useful. I know someone who lived up there around 2008-2010 who was probably around your speed and found people to ride with through Chico Corsa, but that "New to Chico" paragraph lists more things to check out.

MadProphet

Thanks all - I've checked them out and written to a couple. Eric, I agree that riding more is the fix to a LOT that ails me! I'm not ready, yet, for group rides. I was initially planning on trying the 40mile trip that Chicovelo has setup for 2/10, but most of my attempts at that distance have, to this date, been miserable failures. I will get there! I need to include some strength training in my preparations (though perhaps not for that ride - 40 miles and 200' of elevation change) for group riding. My SO belongs to a local gym and while I've always shied from them in the past (seriously wasted back that does not respond well to weights or exertions - cycling is the first exercise it has ever really had), I know I need some leg work to do more.

I am excited about doing some riding with groups - just not yet.

ericm979

Consider stretching and/or core work to strengthen your back. Core strengthening exercises help my back quite a bit. You need to be careful of course. Getting instruction on how to lift weights is a good idea, but I'd stay away from crossfit and the like as they tend to push people a bit too hard.

When I came back to cycling at age 40 I did weight lifting a couple times a week. It didn't help my cycling fitness any but it did help my general fitness and my knees, which have been a problem in the past. I was not able to ride consecutive days so i alternated riding and weight lifting (and a day off from both).

Touring oriented groups often have fairly slow, low pressure "no drop" rides. Often to a coffee shop. Not everyone wants a faux race. Might be a good way to start riding with a group when you're ready.

Spiduhman

Hey Mad,

The CycleSport shop has some gettin' started classes and rides. The owner dude (is it Mike? ...my "memory," arrg!) is very cool; check 'em out. I recall seeing the beginning groups - they were not moving very fast, however, they were all SMILING!

When the daylight savings time cranks up, the R.A.C.E. series will be back - should be back. Roll on down to the crit, sit and watch, and talk to Rodney. If there's someone in the Bs or Cs that you can hang with, get out there! There's often a few folks who are in a whole 'nother gear...slow that is, and the TT, that's all you anyway. There was this one gal that always started early, which Rodney waited for, every week; turns out she's a worldbeater, in her age group.

Great way to meet folk - just show up.

https://racechico.com/race

Just show up, you'll be glad you did.


Just keep gettin' out there.

When you're in SLO, holler now.

MadProphet

Most of the terms I'm not familiar with - but I like what I see there. TT? Some are "routes" I've taken. The Neal Road time trial? I've done that exact route recently. I nearly died. I'm going to do the Wheelock tomorrow.

ericm979

A time trial is a race. But instead of starting all together in a mass start, riders start at fixed intervals and are timed individually. Drafting is not allowed. Low time wins.

TTT is team time trial. Teams start together and can draft each other but not other teams. TTT teams are anywhere from two to nine riders.