Originally Posted by GovernorSilver
(Post 18158760)
My bad. Some select text from the Meetup event:
Let's go ride the Newly Re-Opened Indian Head Rail Trail !!! ---------------------------- Arrive @ 10:00am Pre-Ride @ 10:15am Rolling @ 10:30am ---------------------------- You can ride any mileage you want. You can ride as fast or as slow as you want (27 miles max mileage) The Ride: This ride is open to ANYONE regardless of riding ability. The Indian Head Rail Trail is a straight, no turning, tree lined, flat, and pretty trail. You cannot get lost so you can go as fast or as slow as you like. You cannot get lost so you can make the ride any distance you want ....just remember that the distance you travel out is the same distance you have to travel back when you turn around :) Do you want to try out riding with clips? Do you want to try out a new bike? Do you want a nice recovery ride? Do you want to bring a friend with you to go on a nice casual bike ride? This is the ride for you (even non-member guests are welcome just add a +1 to your RSVP). See trail picture below, plenty of "Portable Toilets" but not much to refill our water bottles on the trail. Bring a good supply of liquid with you. Text is followed by location of post-ride restaurant and stuff. First, let me clarify that I never said I found anything offensive in those two descriptions ... just that if I moved into the area looking for a club, I would read those descriptions, cross those clubs off my list, and move on to a club that suited me better. :) As for the ride above ... it's OK, I guess. It doesn't particularly appeal to me as a large group ride ... but it might be something I'd do solo or with a small group. |
Strava says I average 8 mph. I am not pushing it. Just out riding for a little fun exercise.
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Originally Posted by Machka
(Post 18159667)
First, let me clarify that I never said I found anything offensive in those two descriptions ... just that if I moved into the area looking for a club, I would read those descriptions, cross those clubs off my list, and move on to a club that suited me better. :)
As for the ride above ... it's OK, I guess. It doesn't particularly appeal to me as a large group ride ... but it might be something I'd do solo or with a small group. Every group was started because some demand/need was not met by the other ones previously in existence. I prefer to go on group rides with a casual riding group because, well, it's a casual group. I would say though that if you eliminate cycling groups because they do one or two rides out of an entire month's schedule of rides that don't cater specifically to you, or you disagree with what constitutes "medium level" riding, you will soon run out of groups to ride with. It's better to actually talk to the people involved instead of just jumping to unfounded conclusions. Remember who started this thread. He might have different desires/needs from cycling than you do. He's had some misconceptions about group riding that have hopefully been cleared up. If not, there are enough of us here who will happily help him along. |
Originally Posted by GovernorSilver
(Post 18160011)
Well, if you moved to this area, there are all kinds of cycling groups that cater to various types of cyclists.
Every group was started because some demand/need was not met by the other ones previously in existence.
Originally Posted by GovernorSilver
(Post 18160011)
I would say though that if you eliminate cycling groups because they do one or two rides out of an entire month's schedule of rides that don't cater specifically to you, or you disagree with what constitutes "medium level" riding, you will soon run out of groups to ride with. It's better to actually talk to the people involved instead of just jumping to unfounded conclusions.
And that's OK too. Sometimes I am a member of a club ... sometimes not. Depends what's available and what I want at the time. If you're a cyclist, you don't have to be a member of a club. Sometimes it is better to ride on your own. :) As for my impressions of a club ... I've moved a fair amount and so I have looked for cycling clubs in various areas. I don't have time to go to each club and ask questions ... some of them have been located 100 or 150 km from where I live. So I go online and look for their websites. I go by whatever I find there. If there is anything at all on the site that appeals to me, I will fire off an email with a list of questions. If I don't get a response back (that has happened about half the time), they are off the list. If they don't meet my requirements in their answers ... off the list. I'm not that desperate to join a club ... and if I do, it needs to be one that fits me well. Happily, there have been randonneuring/audax clubs somewhere near me (within 150 km) everywhere I've lived so far. :) |
Originally Posted by DBrown9383
(Post 18154515)
I have no benchmarks. Started riding this spring after 40 years off a bike. Average speed is increasing, especially since I got a computer and am tracking it now but no idea where I should be for average fitness/strength/endurance for a 58 year old man. No desire to race or anything but might consider a club or group ride once I feel that I won't hold everyone up. Please don't laugh but my average speed on a typical ten mile ride is barely in the double digits. I read here about people going 15mph all day long and faster. No way I'm even close to that
I have yet to bike with another person but would love to try a group ride sometime, but completely unfamiliar with any that may be around. Might be tough to fit into my busy schedule, especially considering my shift work and that I don't have many weekends off. I tend to just squeeze a ride in whenever, sometimes completely on the fly, and usually have to hurry back to get to work on something. |
Originally Posted by Machka
(Post 18160099)
And that's OK too. Sometimes I am a member of a club ... sometimes not. Depends what's available and what I want at the time. If you're a cyclist, you don't have to be a member of a club. Sometimes it is better to ride on your own. :)
Originally Posted by Machka
(Post 18160099)
As for my impressions of a club ... I've moved a fair amount and so I have looked for cycling clubs in various areas. I don't have time to go to each club and ask questions ... some of them have been located 100 or 150 km from where I live. So I go online and look for their websites. I go by whatever I find there. If there is anything at all on the site that appeals to me, I will fire off an email with a list of questions. If I don't get a response back (that has happened about half the time), they are off the list. If they don't meet my requirements in their answers ... off the list. I'm not that desperate to join a club ... and if I do, it needs to be one that fits me well.
BTW, I looked closer at the Meetup pages/websites of three other cycling clubs in my area and they all have ride levels. I don't think a single one of these clubs divide rides into beginner, intermediate, etc. levels just to make you feel unwelcome - I'm sure each and every single one will explain why the levels are organized as they are if you take the time to ask. I am roughly guessing each club was started because somebody felt the pace of the other clubs was too fast or too slow. I'm also guessing somebody tried to start a "no level" club (if that is the kind you really want - hard to tell as your posts kind of meandered) then realized that this was not possible for whatever reason. |
Originally Posted by GovernorSilver
(Post 18160497)
Yeah, but this thread is more about DBrown how he wants to become a better rider. Riding with a club is one way do it and has been suggested to beginning riders like him by multiple people, not just me. Why not contribute some advice to him if you have better ideas for helping him become a more confident rider?
Originally Posted by GovernorSilver
(Post 18160497)
YeahOk, this sounds like a more reasonable attitude than what was shown yesterday.
BTW, I looked closer at the Meetup pages/websites of three other cycling clubs in my area and they all have ride levels. I don't think a single one of these clubs divide rides into beginner, intermediate, etc. levels just to make you feel unwelcome - I'm sure each and every single one will explain why the levels are organized as they are if you take the time to ask. I am roughly guessing each club was started because somebody felt the pace of the other clubs was too fast or too slow. I'm also guessing somebody tried to start a "no level" club (if that is the kind you really want - hard to tell as your posts kind of meandered) then realized that this was not possible for whatever reason. And back to providing advice ... my advice is ... look at the club websites, get an impression of the club from their website, check out their ride descriptions ... and if anything doesn't sit well with you, move on to the next club. If there are no clubs in your area that seem to suit your needs, that's OK too. Nothing wrong with riding solo. :) |
Nearly 60 yo., two cardiac stents, been cycling seriously about eight years. I did a 20k tt at just under 20. This was the slowest time in my age group as the other five riders were at 22-24. My fastest average speed on an after work commute-29mi, +600ft -1200 ft- was just over sixteen. Moderate 20 mile ride 14-15.
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Originally Posted by Machka
(Post 18161647)
I'm puzzled why it seems that you took offense to what I said?? It wasn't an insult to you or your club. Yet you keep going on with strange comments like "just to make you feel unwelcome" ... I can't imagine that any club would post ride levels just to make me feel unwelcome. :lol: In fact, I believe I said that I was glad they posted ride levels. I really think that's an excellent idea. It helps riders determine whether or not the club is a fit for them ... or not.
Anyway, ride however you want to ride. I think the OP is sincere and deserves help. |
Originally Posted by GovernorSilver
(Post 18161934)
You previously complained about how ride levels made you feel discouraged, then used that to justify writing off a group as a whole.
EDIT: Well, it wasn't so much taking offense as being surprised by your rather strong reactions, like "feeling discouraged" (your words, not mine). Discouraged? No ... I never said that. That's not my word! Nor did I express any such thing about ride levels in general. You're reading a lot into my comment(s) that isn't there. And I "write off" all sorts of things in life. Don't you? We can't do everything. We can't join every club. We've got to use some criteria to pick and choose what suits us best at a given time. |
Originally Posted by DBrown9383
(Post 18154515)
I have no benchmarks. Started riding this spring after 40 years off a bike. Average speed is increasing, especially since I got a computer and am tracking it now but no idea where I should be for average fitness/strength/endurance for a 58 year old man. No desire to race or anything but might consider a club or group ride once I feel that I won't hold everyone up. Please don't laugh but my average speed on a typical ten mile ride is barely in the double digits. I read here about people going 15mph all day long and faster. No way I'm even close to that
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Originally Posted by Machka
(Post 18161972)
Discouraged? No ... I never said that. That's not my word!
Nor did I express any such thing about ride levels in general. You're reading a lot into my comment(s) that isn't there. http://www.bikeforums.net/general-cy...l#post18157981 http://www.bikeforums.net/general-cy...l#post18158009 Look at the first list ... you're expected to remain in beginner or intermediate, doing rides under 20 miles (32 km), until you can ride a minimum of 15 mph (25 km/h). Well how disheartening is that? Because I have rarely held a minimum speed of 25 km/h, I'm not worthy to ride anything more than 32 km. R-I-G-H-T. |
Switch your odometer to international units. Your numbers will instantly go up!
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Originally Posted by GovernorSilver
(Post 18162176)
Ok, you actually said "disheartening" instead of "discouraged". In a quick review of this thread, I never said the word "offense" or "offensive" to you even once - you are the one who brought that up. Maybe someone else call you that.
Originally Posted by GovernorSilver
(Post 18158712)
You quoted my post there, so in the interest of context, here is an upcoming ride by the casual cyclist group mentioned in the quoted post, which includes the same "ride level chart" that you seemed be turned off by. This one is an "all-levels" ride. See if you can find anything offensive in there. Be sure to read the entire description, and not just jump down to the ride level "chart".
But yes, it was CliffordK who first brought up "offensive" for some reason. Not sure why ... there hasn't been anything offensive said here. And yes, I did say "disheartening". :) I specifically chose that word rather than "discouraged". Disheartening means, "making a person less enthusiastic". disheartening definition and synonyms | Macmillan Dictionary And that's what I meant. I read the descriptions in those clubs with some enthusiasm ... then realised that neither club would be a fit for me because, in their eyes, I'm too slow to ride the distances I currently ride, have ridden in the past, and aspire to ride. But no biggie. As I said, if they were clubs in my area, I'd simply move on to a club that did suit me. Easy-peasy! If I haven't mentioned it all ready, that is a good piece of advice for people looking for clubs. Read the descriptions on the website (or in brochures, if clubs still produce those), email questions to the club organisers ... and then decide if the club will be a good fit for you or not. |
Originally Posted by Phil_gretz
(Post 18162237)
Switch your odometer to international units. Your numbers will instantly go up!
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Originally Posted by Machka
(Post 18162366)
International units? What exactly are they?
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Originally Posted by Phil_gretz
(Post 18162375)
The metric system measures are also called international units, as opposed to the imperial/english system of miles, pounds, and fortnights.
I bet if a person made use of International Units for ... um ... certain things ... their numbers would instantly go up!! :D (I think you're after International System of Units :) ) |
Hey! I just applied that creme. I had no idea what it contained...:innocent:
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Originally Posted by FrenchFit
(Post 18154638)
Those clubs are liars, liars, pants on fire. Every level I've ridden go 2-4 mph above the ride rating and drop slower riders, burn them at lights. Charming practice.
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There is no "good" average speed without context. The beginning amateur racer is faster than strong recreational riders. The racer is left in the dust by a mediocre Cat 3, and so on. These are not small differences either.
For a recreational rider who just gets on the bike and starts to work himself into shape, I think that 10-12 miles per hour is a typical average on a flat road. I believe that just about any healthy male starting there can improve that to 15-18 mph, which I gather is a normal range for a C group ride. |
Originally Posted by Phil_gretz
(Post 18162405)
Hey! I just applied that creme. I had no idea what it contained...:innocent:
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Originally Posted by CommuteCommando
(Post 18162434)
I have searched for what I call the "Goldilocks Group".
I found mine in Randonneuring/Audax and/or Touring clubs. |
Originally Posted by Machka
(Post 18162358)
Or did the wink mean you were joking? :)
Originally Posted by Machka
(Post 18162358)
But yes, it was CliffordK who first brought up "offensive" for some reason. Not sure why ... there hasn't been anything offensive said here.
Originally Posted by Machka
(Post 18162358)
And yes, I did say "disheartening". :) I specifically chose that word rather than "discouraged".
Disheartening means, "making a person less enthusiastic". disheartening definition and synonyms | Macmillan Dictionary And that's what I meant. I read the descriptions in those clubs with some enthusiasm ... then realised that neither club would be a fit for me because, in their eyes, I'm too slow to ride the distances I currently ride, have ridden in the past, and aspire to ride. But no biggie. As I said, if they were clubs in my area, I'd simply move on to a club that did suit me. Easy-peasy! If I haven't mentioned it all ready, that is a good piece of advice for people looking for clubs. Read the descriptions on the website (or in brochures, if clubs still produce those), email questions to the club organisers ... and then decide if the club will be a good fit for you or not. |
Keep at it and it will get better.
I thought you were buying a better bike********** More miles, and better cadence, usually translates into more/better speed. If you were riding with someone who could share breaking the wind, things would be easier/faster. If you get faster by yourself, you would be even faster in a group, because of wind sharing duties. No kidding, even at 10-15 MPH. I ride a lot with an older friend (I'm almost 70) and break almost all of the wind for him, and he says his speed is always 3-5 MPH better with me. Our 30 mile rides together are about 12-13MPH. I do 15MPH over 30 miles, alone, with effort. With a better bike, that fits, with SERIOUS effort, you should be able to do 30 miles in about two hours....... but that would be if you were doing 150-200 miles a week! MHO ---- sooooooo, that means 15MPH avg spd. |
And now for something completely different...I'm 3 weeks in to cycling and my average speed just went up to 9.4 mph. Woo-hoo!
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