Tour De Tigerville
 

Tigerville Fire Department is hosting a benifit ride to raise money to purchase much needed Fire Fighting Equipment. They are Located in the Northern Portion of Greenville County South Carolina and need all the riders they can get. If you are interested check there website at www.tigervillefd.com from there you can get route info as well as registration information. they will also be raffeling off 2 rides in the Air Medical transport helicopter. (the only other way to ride is to be injured :lol: )

Looks like a great ride - just way too far away for me

I am fairly new to road biking. I am interested in participating in this Tigerville event. However my concern is showing up and everyone else is the typical bicyclist who most always looks like an Olympic althlete. I took up biking to lose weight and am far from my goal. On a loop ride with the same start/stop point my average speed is 12-13 mph. At what point should I consider participating in these non-race type events?

Biscut Burner,
How far do you usually go when riding? How far can you ride? If you'e comfortable going that far, go that far. screw what other's think. Assuming that this will be a typical ride, Yes there will be some there that look like poster children for the next olympics, but there will also be plenty of "the rest of us" type people there as well. You're working towards that goal, plese don't be intimidated by those that don't need to have goals yet. Just a suggestion, but if you can ride 30 miles and are comfortable in being out on the road for about 2.5 hours - Go for it.

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/4/4_1/94.shtml Will let you know what you're burning while doing rides. While riding in groups can be fun and cut down on some of the boredom of riding to lose weight, it remains you against the weight, go out and enjoy the ride now and again.

Good luck and give a shout to say how the ride was if you do take it on...

Drew - thanks for the response. As for my riding capability, I ride my bike to work 2-3 times per week. This means the 32 mile round trip is broken by a 9 hr 'break' while at work so it is really two 16 mile trips on the same day. On the weekends I ride 30-45 miles in one trip without stopping.

I like the idea to “screw what others think” but when you are ‘unthin’ and a slow rider there is a certain meekness/intimidation factor when around fit people. While I certainly do not expect people to point and whisper, there is a self imposed uneasiness. I know this is just all just stupid thoughts in my head. The truth is others really don’t care one bit what I look like. This may sound strange but this lack of caring comforts me and sort of gives me courage.


I have not done any kind of group ride before - always solo rides. I think I may pass on this event this year. I may go to the event (that means drive by) and just see what type of people are there and then decide if I want to participate next year. I know thinness will bring more confidence. However, the flaw in this mindset is what is ‘thin enough’ vs the benefits of social participation and exercise. I guess I should just force myself to go.

Hope you are able to swing by the ride. If it's like most other rides I've gone on, yes, a great deal of people will be on the thin side, but far from all of them. There's an entire section for those of us that don't fit into the Olympic althlete physique - Clydesdales/Athenas exlcusively for those over 91Kg (200Lb).

Have to also suggest you check the Tom Stormcrowe the lead administrator's page for some inspiration. It's mind over matter, as long as you don't mind, it doesnt' matter.

Best of luck

Hey biscuit burner - Ride for Rapters
 

We're neighbors...

I'm in Pendleton... also a "clyde." I recently rode my first metric century (62 miles, 65 after a wrong turn). I was the last to finish after 4:49, averaged 13.5 mph. About 1.5 mph slower than I expected. It was 96 degrees and I did finish. The SAG vehicles were full of riders cramping and konking out of the ride. The organizers of any of these rides are not surprised to have a few big turtles bringing up the rear. They will hold the rest stops for your safety also.

We have another ride you might be interested in trying.
http://www.ride4raptors.org/ It will be cooler for me too!