As, Bs, Cs, Ds
04-11-07 | 09:31 AM
#26
Originally Posted by BetweenRides
You don't want to ride with A**Hats like that anyway. Beginning group riders (no offense, but most Triathletes are beginners in the sense of group riding, regardless of how long they have been riding) need a mentor to show them the ropes. Keep looking - you'll find someone eventually. If you can't find a club, I have found that riding in non-competitive Sunday invitationals is a great way to meet fellow riders. You can ride with someone or a group for short stretches between rest stops until you meet that magic someone that you are comfortable riding with.
And riding in a group, especially pace lines, is a great training aid that will help your tri efforts.
Dave
And riding in a group, especially pace lines, is a great training aid that will help your tri efforts.
Dave
04-11-07 | 09:32 AM
#27
staring at the mountains
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,576
Likes: 218
From: Castle Pines, CO
Bikes: Obed GVR, Fairdale Goodship, Salsa Timberjack 29
or a designated no-drop beginner's group ride. Sure, the pace will be leisurely, but that's important when you're learning how to work in a group. Go find your ride! 
04-11-07 | 09:35 AM
#28
Warrior Cyclist
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 5
From: Tucson, AZ
Bikes: 2021 TCR Advanced 2
Originally Posted by wolfpack
this is what we use (from the carolina tarwheels web site)
A pace: 18+ mph
B pace: 16-18 mph
C pace: 13-15 mph
D pace: 10-12 mph
and i'm a B pace rider.
A pace: 18+ mph
B pace: 16-18 mph
C pace: 13-15 mph
D pace: 10-12 mph
and i'm a B pace rider.
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Just Do It..
Just Do It..
04-11-07 | 09:36 AM
#29
Race to train
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 1
From: suffering on the back
BDG- I am sure there is a group ride to fit what ever speed you want to go(hard some days and easier other), as others have said the LBS was a real arse. The only trouble you might run into is most people dont want to paceline with someone with aero-bars.
04-11-07 | 09:38 AM
#30
Originally Posted by jrennie
BDG- I am sure there is a group ride to fit what ever speed you want to go(hard some days and easier other), as others have said the LBS was a real arse. The only trouble you might run into is most people dont want to paceline with someone with aero-bars.
04-11-07 | 09:59 AM
#31
Faster but still slow
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,978
Likes: 2
From: Jersey
Bikes: Trek 830 circa 1993 and a Fuji WSD Finest 1.0 2006
Originally Posted by blonduathlongrl
this always makes my heart sink.
I know Im sort of a tri-geek but I do want to try the group rides but I have to find a place where Id be welcome.
I asked my lbs if I could join them last summer, he had one look at me and smirk and said " don't bother, we'll drop you"
They have A and B rides and from what you guys are saying Id be good enough but they just wont give me a chance.
here's a ride report from someone on here who took the time to ride with me and he talks of our time. ( if you guys want to peek) I know I work hard and I could do this!
I wonder if I should just have the balls to just show up this year regardless of what they say?
https://www.bikeforums.net/foo/230933-fooster-s-ride-report-bdg-s-nh-shoreline-ride.html
I know Im sort of a tri-geek but I do want to try the group rides but I have to find a place where Id be welcome.
I asked my lbs if I could join them last summer, he had one look at me and smirk and said " don't bother, we'll drop you"
They have A and B rides and from what you guys are saying Id be good enough but they just wont give me a chance.
here's a ride report from someone on here who took the time to ride with me and he talks of our time. ( if you guys want to peek) I know I work hard and I could do this!
I wonder if I should just have the balls to just show up this year regardless of what they say?
https://www.bikeforums.net/foo/230933-fooster-s-ride-report-bdg-s-nh-shoreline-ride.html
I say, join the ride and drop all of them. I would suggest you wear pink and add streamers to the bike. Don't forget to give them "the look." People like this need to be crushed in the most humiliating way possible.
04-11-07 | 10:07 AM
#32
For someone who might be reading this and is considering a group ride for the first time, it's important to recognize a couple of things:
- Cruising speed on flat ground is not the same as average speed. Because of stoplights, warm up, and cool doown, the cruising speed is often 2-4 mph faster than the average speed, so you should find out which is meant when you see a reported speed for the ride.
- On flat ground, you can go much faster sitting in the pack than you can on your own so if your average speed is 16 mph, don't be afraid to try a ride with an average speed of 17 or 18mph, with the caveats below.
- Hills or surges in speed can cause a ride to be much more difficult than reported. If it's a steady ride, you'll be much more able to handle these speed changes than if it's a race simulation.
- Always talk to someone who attends or leads the ride before showing up for the ride. The reasons for this are myriad: reported speeds often vary wildly from reality, ride times change, whether or not the ride is a no-drop ride can change. Lastly, if the ride has no leader then it's less likely to be organized, consistent, and new-rider-friendly.
- Prepare for a scenario wherein you might get separated or dropped even if unintentionally. If you can't go as fast as the group, if you get a flat, if you don't know the route YOU are the one ultimately responsible for getting back home, regardless of the group. Most groups go out of their way to include newbies but sometimes separations occur without anyone knowing.
--Steve
- Cruising speed on flat ground is not the same as average speed. Because of stoplights, warm up, and cool doown, the cruising speed is often 2-4 mph faster than the average speed, so you should find out which is meant when you see a reported speed for the ride.
- On flat ground, you can go much faster sitting in the pack than you can on your own so if your average speed is 16 mph, don't be afraid to try a ride with an average speed of 17 or 18mph, with the caveats below.
- Hills or surges in speed can cause a ride to be much more difficult than reported. If it's a steady ride, you'll be much more able to handle these speed changes than if it's a race simulation.
- Always talk to someone who attends or leads the ride before showing up for the ride. The reasons for this are myriad: reported speeds often vary wildly from reality, ride times change, whether or not the ride is a no-drop ride can change. Lastly, if the ride has no leader then it's less likely to be organized, consistent, and new-rider-friendly.
- Prepare for a scenario wherein you might get separated or dropped even if unintentionally. If you can't go as fast as the group, if you get a flat, if you don't know the route YOU are the one ultimately responsible for getting back home, regardless of the group. Most groups go out of their way to include newbies but sometimes separations occur without anyone knowing.
--Steve
04-11-07 | 10:25 AM
#33
Used to be a climber..
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,067
Likes: 193
From: Tucson, AZ
Bikes: 2021 Merlin Sandstone, 2016 Ridley Fenix SL, 2020 Trek Emonda ALR (rim brake), Trek Roscoe 9
Originally Posted by cycle17
We don't ahve a "D" group in our club, but otherwise...that's basically the same system we use.
__________________
2016 Trek 520 (54cm) touring bike for sale - never ridden. Message me for photos/details.
2016 Trek 520 (54cm) touring bike for sale - never ridden. Message me for photos/details.
04-11-07 | 10:26 AM
#34
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 930
Likes: 1
From: Anywhere the government sends me...
Bikes: Too many...
Originally Posted by zimbo
For someone who might be reading this and is considering a group ride for the first time, it's important to recognize a couple of things:
- Cruising speed on flat ground is not the same as average speed. Because of stoplights, warm up, and cool doown, the cruising speed is often 2-4 mph faster than the average speed, so you should find out which is meant when you see a reported speed for the ride.
- On flat ground, you can go much faster sitting in the pack than you can on your own so if your average speed is 16 mph, don't be afraid to try a ride with an average speed of 17 or 18mph, with the caveats below.
- Hills or surges in speed can cause a ride to be much more difficult than reported. If it's a steady ride, you'll be much more able to handle these speed changes than if it's a race simulation.
- Always talk to someone who attends or leads the ride before showing up for the ride. The reasons for this are myriad: reported speeds often vary wildly from reality, ride times change, whether or not the ride is a no-drop ride can change. Lastly, if the ride has no leader then it's less likely to be organized, consistent, and new-rider-friendly.
- Prepare for a scenario wherein you might get separated or dropped even if unintentionally. If you can't go as fast as the group, if you get a flat, if you don't know the route YOU are the one ultimately responsible for getting back home, regardless of the group. Most groups go out of their way to include newbies but sometimes separations occur without anyone knowing.
--Steve
- Cruising speed on flat ground is not the same as average speed. Because of stoplights, warm up, and cool doown, the cruising speed is often 2-4 mph faster than the average speed, so you should find out which is meant when you see a reported speed for the ride.
- On flat ground, you can go much faster sitting in the pack than you can on your own so if your average speed is 16 mph, don't be afraid to try a ride with an average speed of 17 or 18mph, with the caveats below.
- Hills or surges in speed can cause a ride to be much more difficult than reported. If it's a steady ride, you'll be much more able to handle these speed changes than if it's a race simulation.
- Always talk to someone who attends or leads the ride before showing up for the ride. The reasons for this are myriad: reported speeds often vary wildly from reality, ride times change, whether or not the ride is a no-drop ride can change. Lastly, if the ride has no leader then it's less likely to be organized, consistent, and new-rider-friendly.
- Prepare for a scenario wherein you might get separated or dropped even if unintentionally. If you can't go as fast as the group, if you get a flat, if you don't know the route YOU are the one ultimately responsible for getting back home, regardless of the group. Most groups go out of their way to include newbies but sometimes separations occur without anyone knowing.
--Steve
04-11-07 | 10:31 AM
#35
Faster but still slow
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,978
Likes: 2
From: Jersey
Bikes: Trek 830 circa 1993 and a Fuji WSD Finest 1.0 2006
Originally Posted by zimbo
For someone who might be reading this and is considering a group ride for the first time, it's important to recognize a couple of things:
- Cruising speed on flat ground is not the same as average speed. Because of stoplights, warm up, and cool doown, the cruising speed is often 2-4 mph faster than the average speed, so you should find out which is meant when you see a reported speed for the ride.
- On flat ground, you can go much faster sitting in the pack than you can on your own so if your average speed is 16 mph, don't be afraid to try a ride with an average speed of 17 or 18mph, with the caveats below.
- Hills or surges in speed can cause a ride to be much more difficult than reported. If it's a steady ride, you'll be much more able to handle these speed changes than if it's a race simulation.
- Always talk to someone who attends or leads the ride before showing up for the ride. The reasons for this are myriad: reported speeds often vary wildly from reality, ride times change, whether or not the ride is a no-drop ride can change. Lastly, if the ride has no leader then it's less likely to be organized, consistent, and new-rider-friendly.
- Prepare for a scenario wherein you might get separated or dropped even if unintentionally. If you can't go as fast as the group, if you get a flat, if you don't know the route YOU are the one ultimately responsible for getting back home, regardless of the group. Most groups go out of their way to include newbies but sometimes separations occur without anyone knowing.
--Steve
- Cruising speed on flat ground is not the same as average speed. Because of stoplights, warm up, and cool doown, the cruising speed is often 2-4 mph faster than the average speed, so you should find out which is meant when you see a reported speed for the ride.
- On flat ground, you can go much faster sitting in the pack than you can on your own so if your average speed is 16 mph, don't be afraid to try a ride with an average speed of 17 or 18mph, with the caveats below.
- Hills or surges in speed can cause a ride to be much more difficult than reported. If it's a steady ride, you'll be much more able to handle these speed changes than if it's a race simulation.
- Always talk to someone who attends or leads the ride before showing up for the ride. The reasons for this are myriad: reported speeds often vary wildly from reality, ride times change, whether or not the ride is a no-drop ride can change. Lastly, if the ride has no leader then it's less likely to be organized, consistent, and new-rider-friendly.
- Prepare for a scenario wherein you might get separated or dropped even if unintentionally. If you can't go as fast as the group, if you get a flat, if you don't know the route YOU are the one ultimately responsible for getting back home, regardless of the group. Most groups go out of their way to include newbies but sometimes separations occur without anyone knowing.
--Steve
+100
I think a lot of people confuse cruising speed with average speed. They can be quite different. I can easily cruise at 18 mph on flat ground yet end up with an average speed of 13 or 14 mph because of hills or intersections.
04-11-07 | 11:03 AM
#36
Scottish Canuck in the US
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Bikes: Trek 2100, Cervélo Carbon Soloist
My recommendation for any new rider is to please not try and ride with the “A’s during their first ride. There is a lot more to riding in a pack than being able to maintain a high average speed. If you are new to riding in a group, get some practice riding in a group at slightly slower speeds.
04-11-07 | 11:51 AM
#37
Videre non videri
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,208
Likes: 4
From: Gothenburg, Sweden
Bikes: 1 road bike (simple, light), 1 TT bike (could be more aero, could be lighter), 1 all-weather commuter and winter bike, 1 Monark 828E ergometer indoor bike
My club has three levels usually. Since this is in Sweden, we use km/h. And being a predominantly recreational club, our group rides are relatively slow compared to some other clubs listed in earlier posts. This is also an area with an almost constant southwesterly wind at 10-20 mph and many rolling hills to climb over, so average speeds can be hard to compare.
29+ = Average speeds will typically be from 28 km/h (17 mph) and up. More often than not higher than that. This group typically has no designated leader. Riders who can't keep up are dropped.
26 = Average speeds around 26 km/h (16 mph), and rarely more than 1 km/h higher. This group is the fastest group on long-distance rides (above 50 miles or so). On shorter rides, this group usually has no designated leader. Riders who can't keep up are sometimes dropped, if there is a slower group behind (sometimes the slower group has passed the faster group, because the faster group often gets several flats, while the slowest group rarely gets any...).
23 = The beginner level. This level always has a designated leader, and sometimes even two or three. No riders are dropped, unless they decide to drop themselves, for whatever reason.
Most new guys and gals start out here to learn how to ride in a group safely, and also get a feel for how fast/slow they are and what their strengths and weaknesses are. Some stay at this level, and some move on to faster groups.
This is also the level where we chat the most, so it's definitely more fun! I ride exclusively at this level, but I think I perhaps should move up one level this year, as I felt the last ride was more like a recovery ride than a training ride.
29+ = Average speeds will typically be from 28 km/h (17 mph) and up. More often than not higher than that. This group typically has no designated leader. Riders who can't keep up are dropped.
26 = Average speeds around 26 km/h (16 mph), and rarely more than 1 km/h higher. This group is the fastest group on long-distance rides (above 50 miles or so). On shorter rides, this group usually has no designated leader. Riders who can't keep up are sometimes dropped, if there is a slower group behind (sometimes the slower group has passed the faster group, because the faster group often gets several flats, while the slowest group rarely gets any...).
23 = The beginner level. This level always has a designated leader, and sometimes even two or three. No riders are dropped, unless they decide to drop themselves, for whatever reason.
Most new guys and gals start out here to learn how to ride in a group safely, and also get a feel for how fast/slow they are and what their strengths and weaknesses are. Some stay at this level, and some move on to faster groups.
This is also the level where we chat the most, so it's definitely more fun! I ride exclusively at this level, but I think I perhaps should move up one level this year, as I felt the last ride was more like a recovery ride than a training ride.
04-11-07 | 04:17 PM
#38
Banned.
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 883
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
Bikes: Lemond Reno
Originally Posted by supertj
The Suffolk Bicycle Riders Association, Long Island's largest cycling club
04-11-07 | 04:26 PM
#39
Thread Starter
Not obese just overweight
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,035
Likes: 0
From: Sonoma County, CA
Bikes: Trek 7500fx, Cervelo Soloist
Originally Posted by Turboem1
do they have a website with info? I am looking for a group to ride with and they sound good.
https://www.sbraweb.org/
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Joe
Veho difficilis, ago facilis
Joe
Veho difficilis, ago facilis
04-11-07 | 07:10 PM
#40
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by ratebeer
Dude. Parlez-vous Google?
https://www.sbraweb.org/
https://www.sbraweb.org/
04-11-07 | 08:07 PM
#41
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,481
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by blonduathlongrl
this always makes my heart sink.
I know Im sort of a tri-geek but I do want to try the group rides but I have to find a place where Id be welcome.
I asked my lbs if I could join them last summer, he had one look at me and smirk and said " don't bother, we'll drop you"
They have A and B rides and from what you guys are saying Id be good enough but they just wont give me a chance.
here's a ride report from someone on here who took the time to ride with me and he talks of our time. ( if you guys want to peek) I know I work hard and I could do this!
I wonder if I should just have the balls to just show up this year regardless of what they say?
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=230933
I know Im sort of a tri-geek but I do want to try the group rides but I have to find a place where Id be welcome.
I asked my lbs if I could join them last summer, he had one look at me and smirk and said " don't bother, we'll drop you"
They have A and B rides and from what you guys are saying Id be good enough but they just wont give me a chance.
here's a ride report from someone on here who took the time to ride with me and he talks of our time. ( if you guys want to peek) I know I work hard and I could do this!
I wonder if I should just have the balls to just show up this year regardless of what they say?
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=230933
The better thing to do is train hard the next month, then find out where they'll be riding and wait till they get started and then pass them all and wave as you pass them and say, "Sorry for dropping you."
Seriously though, why would you want to ride with jerks like that? There have to be other groups near you.
