Do you recommend A Group Ride for Me?
10-13-16, 08:16 PM
#1
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Do you recommend A Group Ride for Me?
I love to ride. But there has been some frustrations and obstacles on certain roads for me. Would a group ride help me with anything and be useful in your opinion?
10-13-16, 08:32 PM
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10-13-16, 08:43 PM
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This is one of those open ended questions that gets an equally open ended answer.
it depends.
It depends on your personality and what you're hoping to get out of a group ride.
and it depends on the type of group, and things like how welcoming they are to relative newbs.
it depends.
It depends on your personality and what you're hoping to get out of a group ride.
and it depends on the type of group, and things like how welcoming they are to relative newbs.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
10-13-16, 08:53 PM
#4
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Riding with traffic. I like bike lanes. For example I like riding Highway 1 but am intimidated with the bike lane ending and I'm not sure how long it goes on for until the bike lane continues. I would love to just crank out 50 miles on that highway but don't feel good about doing it alone.
That part where the lane ends on the bridge is exactly where all the vehicles were honking at me.
10-13-16, 09:04 PM
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Absolutely. There are several group rides every month in my area. I try to participate a few times a month in the casual group rides.
Besides motivating me to ride more, I enjoy the camaraderie. I ride to and from the meetups, which gives me 16-24 miles depending on the route I take (city streets are 8 miles each way, but I avoid those during rush hour traffic; the MUP is longer but quieter, although arguably no less hazardous due to wobble-riders, dogs on 50 yard retractable non-leashes and people inexplicably parking in the middle of the path to inspect and repair their bikes).
I actually get my "serious" workout during the ride from home and back. The casual group rides tend to be leisurely and sociable. One exception was last night's group ride, with the leader setting a faster than usual pace and choosing a few challenging but reasonable hills for our group. I enjoyed it and found it invigorating, but I could see a few riders sagging toward the end. For many of us it's a huge leap in conditioning and stamina between a 12 mph and 15 mph ride over a 10-20 mile distance. Last year at this time I'd have been dropped. This year the faster pace was right for me, so I'll probably join the faster group next time and see if I can hang with them for a 16 mph or so pace over the distance.
These group rides through our city streets help with confidence. Groups of cyclists are easy to see and drivers are generally more patient and considerate. Very rarely does a driver honk at us impatiently or pass unsafely. These casual group rides emphasize safety and making a good public impression, so we use group leaders, safety monitors to temporarily block traffic to herd the group through intersections as quickly and safely as possible (allowing the group to split is less safe, since the stragglers are usually the slower, less experienced and less confident riders, so the group tries to avoid leaving anyone behind).
The only downside is that it's essential to pay close attention in groups of inexperienced cyclists, or even veteran cyclists who are inexperienced with cycling in groups. These aren't high speed pace lines or pelotons, so it's usually not a good idea to draft riders closely, or to half-wheel anyone. Leave plenty of room ahead for emergency braking. And if you ride alongside someone, ride evenly alongside them -- not with your front wheel alongside their rear wheel. Inexperienced or poorly conditioned cyclists tend to wobble around, especially starting up from a stop sign or red light, and may veer around erratically.
But don't let those cautions deter you. In dozens of group rides over the past year I haven't seen any bike-to-bike collisions, even on the narrow MUP. The only crash I've personally seen was an unforced error, when a cyclist I'd noticed wobbling around erratically earlier in the ride misjudged a turn and bonked a curb. He popped up, unhurt and with no bike damage.
Incidentally, be particularly watchful for single gear and, especially, fixie riders in casual groups. These are trendy bikes and popular with hipsters and young riders, but they're often much too inexperienced to ride these safely. More than any other rider the fixie cyclists tend to wobble and veer around wildly, especially when accelerating from stops or very slow paces. Ditto, the folks riding multi-speed bikes who inexplicably don't use their gears appropriately. If they're in a gear that's too tall for the slow pace, or starting from a dead stop, they'll often wobble around as much as the fixie riders.
Leave plenty of space around you and you'll be fine. Hang around the back of the group until you feel more confident.
There are also several group rides every week or month for experienced, fast cyclists, but I'm not ready for those. In particular there's a sponsored weekly gravel ride. Rather than joining them I just tagged on as they passed, well enough back that I wasn't wheelsucking. I was quickly dropped. I've tried that with some two- and three-cyclist pacelines of road bike riders, staying well enough back to pace off them without drafting or wheelsucking. They too dropped me very quickly. Even if I'd been drafting in their paceline I wouldn't have been able to hang with them for long.
Besides motivating me to ride more, I enjoy the camaraderie. I ride to and from the meetups, which gives me 16-24 miles depending on the route I take (city streets are 8 miles each way, but I avoid those during rush hour traffic; the MUP is longer but quieter, although arguably no less hazardous due to wobble-riders, dogs on 50 yard retractable non-leashes and people inexplicably parking in the middle of the path to inspect and repair their bikes).
I actually get my "serious" workout during the ride from home and back. The casual group rides tend to be leisurely and sociable. One exception was last night's group ride, with the leader setting a faster than usual pace and choosing a few challenging but reasonable hills for our group. I enjoyed it and found it invigorating, but I could see a few riders sagging toward the end. For many of us it's a huge leap in conditioning and stamina between a 12 mph and 15 mph ride over a 10-20 mile distance. Last year at this time I'd have been dropped. This year the faster pace was right for me, so I'll probably join the faster group next time and see if I can hang with them for a 16 mph or so pace over the distance.
These group rides through our city streets help with confidence. Groups of cyclists are easy to see and drivers are generally more patient and considerate. Very rarely does a driver honk at us impatiently or pass unsafely. These casual group rides emphasize safety and making a good public impression, so we use group leaders, safety monitors to temporarily block traffic to herd the group through intersections as quickly and safely as possible (allowing the group to split is less safe, since the stragglers are usually the slower, less experienced and less confident riders, so the group tries to avoid leaving anyone behind).
The only downside is that it's essential to pay close attention in groups of inexperienced cyclists, or even veteran cyclists who are inexperienced with cycling in groups. These aren't high speed pace lines or pelotons, so it's usually not a good idea to draft riders closely, or to half-wheel anyone. Leave plenty of room ahead for emergency braking. And if you ride alongside someone, ride evenly alongside them -- not with your front wheel alongside their rear wheel. Inexperienced or poorly conditioned cyclists tend to wobble around, especially starting up from a stop sign or red light, and may veer around erratically.
But don't let those cautions deter you. In dozens of group rides over the past year I haven't seen any bike-to-bike collisions, even on the narrow MUP. The only crash I've personally seen was an unforced error, when a cyclist I'd noticed wobbling around erratically earlier in the ride misjudged a turn and bonked a curb. He popped up, unhurt and with no bike damage.
Incidentally, be particularly watchful for single gear and, especially, fixie riders in casual groups. These are trendy bikes and popular with hipsters and young riders, but they're often much too inexperienced to ride these safely. More than any other rider the fixie cyclists tend to wobble and veer around wildly, especially when accelerating from stops or very slow paces. Ditto, the folks riding multi-speed bikes who inexplicably don't use their gears appropriately. If they're in a gear that's too tall for the slow pace, or starting from a dead stop, they'll often wobble around as much as the fixie riders.
Leave plenty of space around you and you'll be fine. Hang around the back of the group until you feel more confident.
There are also several group rides every week or month for experienced, fast cyclists, but I'm not ready for those. In particular there's a sponsored weekly gravel ride. Rather than joining them I just tagged on as they passed, well enough back that I wasn't wheelsucking. I was quickly dropped. I've tried that with some two- and three-cyclist pacelines of road bike riders, staying well enough back to pace off them without drafting or wheelsucking. They too dropped me very quickly. Even if I'd been drafting in their paceline I wouldn't have been able to hang with them for long.
10-13-16, 09:17 PM
#6
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Riding with traffic. I like bike lanes. For example I like riding Highway 1 but am intimidated with the bike lane ending and I'm not sure how long it goes on for until the bike lane continues. I would love to just crank out 50 miles on that highway but don't feel good about doing it alone.
That part where the lane ends on the bridge is exactly where all the vehicles were honking at me.
That part where the lane ends on the bridge is exactly where all the vehicles were honking at me.
Here may be one benefit of a group. They tend to know the better or nicer rides in the area, so they may take you on more interesting yet, less intimidating rides. BUT IMO, being comfortable in traffic comes from inside, and a group won't help with that. (Opinion only).
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WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
10-13-16, 09:21 PM
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I'm an introvert, and therefore prefer riding solo. Did the group ride thing one time and found it was most definitely not for me. Besides, the only person I have to beat is myself. Conquering your fear really is up to you.
10-13-16, 09:58 PM
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I would recommend you go on a group ride, but I wouldn't recommend the "A" group ride.
10-13-16, 10:04 PM
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A mirror might help with overcoming traffic apprehension. Group riding can give the "safety in numbers" feeling. Trying is the only way of finding out.
10-13-16, 10:24 PM
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Absolutely. There are several group rides every month in my area. I try to participate a few times a month in the casual group rides.
Besides motivating me to ride more, I enjoy the camaraderie. I ride to and from the meetups, which gives me 16-24 miles depending on the route I take (city streets are 8 miles each way, but I avoid those during rush hour traffic; the MUP is longer but quieter, although arguably no less hazardous due to wobble-riders, dogs on 50 yard retractable non-leashes and people inexplicably parking in the middle of the path to inspect and repair their bikes).
I actually get my "serious" workout during the ride from home and back. The casual group rides tend to be leisurely and sociable. One exception was last night's group ride, with the leader setting a faster than usual pace and choosing a few challenging but reasonable hills for our group. I enjoyed it and found it invigorating, but I could see a few riders sagging toward the end. For many of us it's a huge leap in conditioning and stamina between a 12 mph and 15 mph ride over a 10-20 mile distance. Last year at this time I'd have been dropped. This year the faster pace was right for me, so I'll probably join the faster group next time and see if I can hang with them for a 16 mph or so pace over the distance.
These group rides through our city streets help with confidence. Groups of cyclists are easy to see and drivers are generally more patient and considerate. Very rarely does a driver honk at us impatiently or pass unsafely. These casual group rides emphasize safety and making a good public impression, so we use group leaders, safety monitors to temporarily block traffic to herd the group through intersections as quickly and safely as possible (allowing the group to split is less safe, since the stragglers are usually the slower, less experienced and less confident riders, so the group tries to avoid leaving anyone behind).
The only downside is that it's essential to pay close attention in groups of inexperienced cyclists, or even veteran cyclists who are inexperienced with cycling in groups. These aren't high speed pace lines or pelotons, so it's usually not a good idea to draft riders closely, or to half-wheel anyone. Leave plenty of room ahead for emergency braking. And if you ride alongside someone, ride evenly alongside them -- not with your front wheel alongside their rear wheel. Inexperienced or poorly conditioned cyclists tend to wobble around, especially starting up from a stop sign or red light, and may veer around erratically.
But don't let those cautions deter you. In dozens of group rides over the past year I haven't seen any bike-to-bike collisions, even on the narrow MUP. The only crash I've personally seen was an unforced error, when a cyclist I'd noticed wobbling around erratically earlier in the ride misjudged a turn and bonked a curb. He popped up, unhurt and with no bike damage.
Incidentally, be particularly watchful for single gear and, especially, fixie riders in casual groups. These are trendy bikes and popular with hipsters and young riders, but they're often much too inexperienced to ride these safely. More than any other rider the fixie cyclists tend to wobble and veer around wildly, especially when accelerating from stops or very slow paces. Ditto, the folks riding multi-speed bikes who inexplicably don't use their gears appropriately. If they're in a gear that's too tall for the slow pace, or starting from a dead stop, they'll often wobble around as much as the fixie riders.
Leave plenty of space around you and you'll be fine. Hang around the back of the group until you feel more confident.
There are also several group rides every week or month for experienced, fast cyclists, but I'm not ready for those. In particular there's a sponsored weekly gravel ride. Rather than joining them I just tagged on as they passed, well enough back that I wasn't wheelsucking. I was quickly dropped. I've tried that with some two- and three-cyclist pacelines of road bike riders, staying well enough back to pace off them without drafting or wheelsucking. They too dropped me very quickly. Even if I'd been drafting in their paceline I wouldn't have been able to hang with them for long.
Besides motivating me to ride more, I enjoy the camaraderie. I ride to and from the meetups, which gives me 16-24 miles depending on the route I take (city streets are 8 miles each way, but I avoid those during rush hour traffic; the MUP is longer but quieter, although arguably no less hazardous due to wobble-riders, dogs on 50 yard retractable non-leashes and people inexplicably parking in the middle of the path to inspect and repair their bikes).
I actually get my "serious" workout during the ride from home and back. The casual group rides tend to be leisurely and sociable. One exception was last night's group ride, with the leader setting a faster than usual pace and choosing a few challenging but reasonable hills for our group. I enjoyed it and found it invigorating, but I could see a few riders sagging toward the end. For many of us it's a huge leap in conditioning and stamina between a 12 mph and 15 mph ride over a 10-20 mile distance. Last year at this time I'd have been dropped. This year the faster pace was right for me, so I'll probably join the faster group next time and see if I can hang with them for a 16 mph or so pace over the distance.
These group rides through our city streets help with confidence. Groups of cyclists are easy to see and drivers are generally more patient and considerate. Very rarely does a driver honk at us impatiently or pass unsafely. These casual group rides emphasize safety and making a good public impression, so we use group leaders, safety monitors to temporarily block traffic to herd the group through intersections as quickly and safely as possible (allowing the group to split is less safe, since the stragglers are usually the slower, less experienced and less confident riders, so the group tries to avoid leaving anyone behind).
The only downside is that it's essential to pay close attention in groups of inexperienced cyclists, or even veteran cyclists who are inexperienced with cycling in groups. These aren't high speed pace lines or pelotons, so it's usually not a good idea to draft riders closely, or to half-wheel anyone. Leave plenty of room ahead for emergency braking. And if you ride alongside someone, ride evenly alongside them -- not with your front wheel alongside their rear wheel. Inexperienced or poorly conditioned cyclists tend to wobble around, especially starting up from a stop sign or red light, and may veer around erratically.
But don't let those cautions deter you. In dozens of group rides over the past year I haven't seen any bike-to-bike collisions, even on the narrow MUP. The only crash I've personally seen was an unforced error, when a cyclist I'd noticed wobbling around erratically earlier in the ride misjudged a turn and bonked a curb. He popped up, unhurt and with no bike damage.
Incidentally, be particularly watchful for single gear and, especially, fixie riders in casual groups. These are trendy bikes and popular with hipsters and young riders, but they're often much too inexperienced to ride these safely. More than any other rider the fixie cyclists tend to wobble and veer around wildly, especially when accelerating from stops or very slow paces. Ditto, the folks riding multi-speed bikes who inexplicably don't use their gears appropriately. If they're in a gear that's too tall for the slow pace, or starting from a dead stop, they'll often wobble around as much as the fixie riders.
Leave plenty of space around you and you'll be fine. Hang around the back of the group until you feel more confident.
There are also several group rides every week or month for experienced, fast cyclists, but I'm not ready for those. In particular there's a sponsored weekly gravel ride. Rather than joining them I just tagged on as they passed, well enough back that I wasn't wheelsucking. I was quickly dropped. I've tried that with some two- and three-cyclist pacelines of road bike riders, staying well enough back to pace off them without drafting or wheelsucking. They too dropped me very quickly. Even if I'd been drafting in their paceline I wouldn't have been able to hang with them for long.
Interesting. Where do you find your groups? And if you're too slow, you get dropped from the group?
10-13-16, 11:30 PM
#11
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I'm in Fort Worth, Texas, and there are several groups and clubs. I'm a night owl anyway and my schedule is more adaptable to evening rides, so I began with the local Critical Mass group rides last year. Those are once a month here and at this time last year and early 2016 it suited my conditioning. Those are usually no-drop rides, and the group safety monitors ask folks to let them know if a rider plans to drop out so the group isn't held up looking for the missing. And with the larger groups it's easy to overlook a missing rider.
From there I got into the twice weekly Night Riders group, although I usually ride only two or three a month. Many of the same folks participate in both the Critical Mass and NR groups. The Wednesday rides are usually split into A and B groups, with the B group a bit slower and with more rest breaks and a no-drop policy. After a year back in the saddle I may be ready for the A group, so I'll try it next time.
There's also an upcoming Halloween ride, sponsored by the mayor who's also a cycling enthusiast and participates in several group rides every year to promote charities and civic participation, including rolling/walking town hall meetups. Those are usually a very casual pace, no-drop, with police escort (we also have bike mounted police officers).
In July the Tour de Fort Worth coincides with the Tour de France and features a group ride for each day of the Tour de France. These are find-your-own-pace rides, ranging from very fast riders to the caboose riders like me. The last Tour de FW ride I participated in back in July was on a familiar route that I ride often for exercise and I was still among the slowest group of a dozen or so cyclists to finish, but the police ******* waited for all of us along the way, including handling traffic control at the two or three tricky intersections.
Back in the 1970s-'80s when I lived in Southern California I participated in the Tijuana-Ensenada (about 75 miles) and Mexicali-San Felipe (about 100-150 miles) rides. Those were also self paced, with Mexican police officers handling traffic control at tricky intersections, and many participants rode with their own groups and clubs. Our club, mostly hospital employees, were very casual riders and pretty much stuck together in a loose string of 100 yards or so, with a couple of sag wagons following, driven by spouses of cyclists. Usually one or two folks dropped out due to exhaustion or mechanical problems, and were picked up by the sag wagons and driven to the finish where we rejoined for dinner.
That's pretty much my experience with casual group rides over 30 years. I'm no longer competitive and while I enjoy riding alone often, I also enjoy these sociable group rides just as much. These group rides are just different, not better or worse, and complementary to my enjoyment of cycling. And I'd say it's a safe bet many of us could be described as introverts, but we're introverted together in a comfortable way.
Decades ago, before injuries and illnesses slowed me down, I also rode occasional local competition and rode some criteriums (bad Latin, but correct in this context) and time trials. I never enjoyed those as much and don't really miss them. If I were in better shape I might try one of the local faster riding road bike groups, but for now I don't really feel drawn that direction.
From there I got into the twice weekly Night Riders group, although I usually ride only two or three a month. Many of the same folks participate in both the Critical Mass and NR groups. The Wednesday rides are usually split into A and B groups, with the B group a bit slower and with more rest breaks and a no-drop policy. After a year back in the saddle I may be ready for the A group, so I'll try it next time.
There's also an upcoming Halloween ride, sponsored by the mayor who's also a cycling enthusiast and participates in several group rides every year to promote charities and civic participation, including rolling/walking town hall meetups. Those are usually a very casual pace, no-drop, with police escort (we also have bike mounted police officers).
In July the Tour de Fort Worth coincides with the Tour de France and features a group ride for each day of the Tour de France. These are find-your-own-pace rides, ranging from very fast riders to the caboose riders like me. The last Tour de FW ride I participated in back in July was on a familiar route that I ride often for exercise and I was still among the slowest group of a dozen or so cyclists to finish, but the police ******* waited for all of us along the way, including handling traffic control at the two or three tricky intersections.
Back in the 1970s-'80s when I lived in Southern California I participated in the Tijuana-Ensenada (about 75 miles) and Mexicali-San Felipe (about 100-150 miles) rides. Those were also self paced, with Mexican police officers handling traffic control at tricky intersections, and many participants rode with their own groups and clubs. Our club, mostly hospital employees, were very casual riders and pretty much stuck together in a loose string of 100 yards or so, with a couple of sag wagons following, driven by spouses of cyclists. Usually one or two folks dropped out due to exhaustion or mechanical problems, and were picked up by the sag wagons and driven to the finish where we rejoined for dinner.
That's pretty much my experience with casual group rides over 30 years. I'm no longer competitive and while I enjoy riding alone often, I also enjoy these sociable group rides just as much. These group rides are just different, not better or worse, and complementary to my enjoyment of cycling. And I'd say it's a safe bet many of us could be described as introverts, but we're introverted together in a comfortable way.
Decades ago, before injuries and illnesses slowed me down, I also rode occasional local competition and rode some criteriums (bad Latin, but correct in this context) and time trials. I never enjoyed those as much and don't really miss them. If I were in better shape I might try one of the local faster riding road bike groups, but for now I don't really feel drawn that direction.
10-13-16, 11:36 PM
#12
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I was already experienced with cycle commuting in traffic, so when I resumed cycling last year I got into traffic the very first day. My confidence exceeded my ability. It actually took almost two months for my conditioning to catch up with my confidence, to the extent that I was not only willing to ride in traffic but actually physically capable of doing so at a reasonable speed.
I'm not sure that's a better way to start -- with confidence that exceeds ones ability. As Dirty Harry said to Hal Holbrook's corrupt policeman character, "A man's got to know his limitations."
10-14-16, 09:29 AM
#13
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10-14-16, 09:33 AM
#14
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I should add that it's very common for people to ask advice about something they're considering, get consistent advice against from multiple posters, then explain that they're going to go ahead anyway, with or without justification. So I don't get invested in what people do. I'm old school here and lead the horse to water then walk away.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
Last edited by FBinNY; 10-14-16 at 09:36 AM.
10-14-16, 09:58 AM
#15
Banned
Adventure Cycling Association has Group rides of cycle tourists each bringing their own stuff .
Cycle Oregon. ...the Seattle to Portland ride every year ... RAGBRAI..
Might be useful if DreamRider85 had a physical location , The world is a big place..
'/,
Cycle Oregon. ...the Seattle to Portland ride every year ... RAGBRAI..
Might be useful if DreamRider85 had a physical location , The world is a big place..
'/,
Last edited by fietsbob; 10-14-16 at 10:02 AM.
10-14-16, 10:08 AM
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No, you wont be dropped if youre slow IF you join a " no drop " ride. My club has drop and no drop rides. All beginner/casual/social rides are no drop, pace of slowest rider. Intermediate can be drop or no drop and breaks into speed groups. Advanced is drop and race type speeds.
Riding in a group can be for socializing if you want it to be but you dont have to. There are plenty of people that come and dont really talk. You do learn how to obey the road and bike laws, how to deal with motorist and different things that can happen. You also get motivated.
I know i would not have stayed with it if not for the group. I started mid August SLOW. My first ride was 18.5mi@9.5mph. I felt so bad to be stuck in the back and i didnt want to make the sweep stop and could barely make it. Now? Im ready to move up to Intermediate 13+mph and to lead a ride.
10-14-16, 10:56 AM
#18
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My bike club has beginner rides led by a very experienced couple. The ride leaders stop as frequently as necessary to discuss various situations with their newby group. It is low key, no pressure to perform with emphasis on the learning experience and fellowship. Their are other such cycling clubs so check in with bike shops as well as other local clubs and good luck.
10-14-16, 11:04 AM
#19
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Very personal question, all dependent on the individual. I have done a few, I don't much care for them, but then again I have friends who refuse to ride unless in a group setting.
Best thing to do? Find one with a no-drop beginners group, and go see if you like it. If you don't like it you know and can put it behind you, if you do, then you can work on finding a group that works for you.
Best thing to do? Find one with a no-drop beginners group, and go see if you like it. If you don't like it you know and can put it behind you, if you do, then you can work on finding a group that works for you.
10-14-16, 11:26 AM
#20
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In the early 70s I was actually competing (class3). Talk about a group ride... Ha.
But a few years ago, on a slow local ride, I was over taken by a competitive pack for a few minutes and truly felt almost claustrophobic till they passed...
Just be sure to pick a group to ride with that matches your pace. Your gonna love it...
But a few years ago, on a slow local ride, I was over taken by a competitive pack for a few minutes and truly felt almost claustrophobic till they passed...
Just be sure to pick a group to ride with that matches your pace. Your gonna love it...
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10-14-16, 08:22 PM
#21
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You DO experience a lot of things on a group ride, you don't riding solo.
Take the plunge.
Report back.
We love pics,
or it didn't happen.
Take the plunge.
Report back.
We love pics,
or it didn't happen.
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
10-15-16, 08:00 AM
#22
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If you don't like riding in traffic, I would assume that wherever you live, "Highway 1" has a lot of traffic. I've been riding for 40+ years, and even I couldn't imagine riding 50+ miles on a road like THAT...
Last edited by AlexCyclistRoch; 10-15-16 at 08:03 AM.
10-15-16, 09:51 AM
#23
Senior Member
I've asked myself a similar question but for different reasons. I would like the motivation to ride longer distances and ride more often that a regular group ride entails.
However...I have an aversion to lycra. Not the material per se, but the mentality that leads to someone wearing it.
I've done a couple relaxed local tour the neighborhood sort of rides as well....but I can't really handle pootling around at 8-12 mph.
I think what I really want is a group of friends in reasonably decent shape that want to take a swift 30 mile ride to a bar every week lol....
However...I have an aversion to lycra. Not the material per se, but the mentality that leads to someone wearing it.
I've done a couple relaxed local tour the neighborhood sort of rides as well....but I can't really handle pootling around at 8-12 mph.
I think what I really want is a group of friends in reasonably decent shape that want to take a swift 30 mile ride to a bar every week lol....
10-15-16, 11:21 AM
#25
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Thread Starter
Well I like the road where there's a bike lane and it is there for miles until that point. Riding that road is the only way to be next to the coast. What roads do you ride on? Sometimes I like bike lane on a highway because on a small road, I am closer to the cars.