First club ride tomorrow.

[redcard]

Title says it all. Popped into my LBS and said I'd come along for the 40 miler on Sunday morning.

Forgot to ask a couple of questions, which I thought you guys could answer for me!

Should I take a tool kit / spare tube, or is there someone designated to carry that sort of kit?

I'm not sure whether to wear a jacket tomorrow (we're leaving at 9am) or just go for a jersey / LS base layer combo. Wish I had bought some decent leggings - I'm going with MTB shorts. Forecast is dry / sunny and about 5-8c.

Is this jacket weather? I've previously been wearing a SportsDirect boil-in-the-bag, but now have a proper waterproof / windproof and (allegedly) breathable hi-viz jacket. It was comfortable riding the mile from the LBS but think it may be a bit much for tomorrow.

Any other advice most welcome.

 

[cyberknight]

Title says it all. Popped into my LBS and said I'd come along for the 40 miler on Sunday morning.

Forgot to ask a couple of questions, which I thought you guys could answer for me!

Should I take a tool kit / spare tube, or is there someone designated to carry that sort of kit? Carry at least a tube + levers+ pump, i always carry 2 tubes,levers,pump+multi tool


I'm not sure whether to wear a jacket tomorrow (we're leaving at 9am) or just go for a jersey / LS base layer combo. Wish I had bought some decent leggings - I'm going with MTB shorts. Forecast is dry / sunny and about 5-8c.

Is this jacket weather? I've previously been wearing a SportsDirect boil-in-the-bag, but now have a proper waterproof / windproof and (allegedly) breathable hi-viz jacket. It was comfortable riding the mile from the LBS but think it may be a bit much for tomorrow.
Depends on how fast the group is going to be riding ,if its a steady group you might be ok but if they are going for it then you will be a lobster very quickly.Last weekend was very similar and i went out with my club, 60 miles averaging 16 mph then 18 back.I wore .. ss jersey,armwarmers,gilet,bib shorts and legwarmers.

Any other advice most welcome.

Some guys carry a windproof in a spare water bottle , using just 1 cage and filling up at the cake stop.
here are some common signals used to indicate dangers..
http://www.redhillcc.co.uk/page/hand-signals-and-shouts
Of course it will vary from club to club.
Has the club /bike shop got a website that can give you a few more details?

 

[HLaB]

Take a spare tube, tyre levers, pump at the minimum. Somebody usually has a multitool although they are not dedicated, usually me I think my multitool has been used more times by other people than me. I wouldn't rely on somebody else though, especially if you become separated and folk don't always take kind to it anyway.
I don't like to wear a jacket but carry a gilet/jacket to wear just in case, but somefolk prefer a jacket, you'll know your body better. That doesn't sound like jacket weather to me, we had similar today and I wore a long sleeve jersey and a short sleeve base layer, 3/4 bibs and long fingered gloves and was perfect (its a N wind here), but as said we are all different and like cyberknight says it depends on the pace of the ride.

 

[redcard]

Didn't think it was jacket weather either, just this run is twice my normal distance so don't want to be unprepared.

 

[cyberknight]

If you are in a group its a lot easier than riding solo , you should easily be able to do the distance assuming its a pace you keep keep up with.Last week we were chainganging back the last bit of the ride and the guys who were pulling at the front were driving us at over 25 mph + on the flat , i could keep up as long as i was in the group and take a pull but no way could i ride that fast on my own for any distance as family commitments mean i do not ride enough at training pace

 

[Blue Steel]

Usually everyone is expected to be self sufficient on rides of this type, and carry tyre levers, tubes, multi tool etc (and don't forget some money if there is going to be a cafe stop!). Having said that it would be very surprising if you weren't offered plenty of help and support if you suffer a mechanical or a puncture, but in my experience it's just considered good etiquette to at least carry the where with all to sort yourself out if necessary, rather than rely on others to do it for you.

As for the kit, I'd be inclined to go for the jersey and base layer combination. It's what I tend to wear with the weather as it is at the moment. I think you're right and the jacket might be overkill on a longer ride. Also jackets tend to be relatively loose fitting and balloon a bit when riding, adding extra drag you can do without.

Oh, and most of all enjoy

 

[redcard]

If you are in a group its a lot easier than riding solo , you should easily be able to do the distance assuming its a pace you keep keep up with.Last week we were chainganging back the last bit of the ride and the guys who were pulling at the front were driving us at over 25 mph on the flat , i could keep up as long as i was in the group but no way could i ride that fast on my own as family commitments mean i do not ride enough at training pace

I was up to around 18mph average for 10 miles last weekend, so don't think I'll have problems with the pace. I'm actually a bit worried they might be a bit slow, as the guy at the shop mentioned they had a couple of girls who had just started riding

He said they might start an intermediate group (it's a fairly new club), so hopefully there are enough numbers and I'll be good enough to be in with that crowd.

 

[cyberknight]

Sweet !
Sounds fun, i tend to go out when i get chance to get the miles in rather than worrying about speed and to have a good chinwag with like minded people.
My solo average is about 19.5 mph for a rolling terrain 25 loop when solo.

No riding behind the ladies for a view, you might end up to close and wreck their rear wheel

 

[biggs682]

go and enjoy yourself and stop worrying you will be ok

 

[Deleted member 1258]

The most important thing with a club ride is to enjoy it, take a water bottle and enough kit to repair a puncture.

 

[guitarpete247]

I took a Polaris (Halfrauds) Hi-Viz jacket out with me today. Never used it much. Never will again as it fell out of my jersey pocket. Anyone in Loughborough who finds it can keep it. It was now too big for me anyway.

Back to the OP's subject. I always like to be self sufficient if I can be. I've been on rides with school pupils and had to have the tool-kit and various nuts, bolts, cable ties, tubes (26" & 700c/27") and odd chain links. I've always had to fix something on the rides as the kids, I've been with, have never had the best maintained rides. There are always going to be times when you need help and times when you come to the rescue. Be a good scout and "Be Prepared".

 

[totallyfixed]

Just don't half wheel anyone, you won't be popular if you do.

 

[ColinJ]

I think there is going to be quite a windchill in most of the UK tomorrow so carrying some kind of windproof jacket would be a good idea.

Always carry tools and spares with you. Forget what other people may or may not be carrying - you should be self-reliant. (That means knowing how to do common repairs too!)

Be predictable - don't suddenly brake, stop or swerve. (Don't do the kind of thing that an inexperienced mate did first ride with me - we were doing 20 mph and I was just behind him when he swerved to go round a housebrick lying in the road which I then hit, puncturing both tubes. I was lucky not to crash or wreck a wheel.)

And have fun ...!

 

[guitarpete247]

http://www.redhillcc.co.uk/page/hand-signals-and-shouts
Of course it will vary from club to club.

CK's link is a good one to give you ideas for either warning others or understanding the warnings they are giving to you. A basic point to brick/pothole etc. would be basic start. I came across a group of a cycle club ride coming around a bend at me on the wrong (my) side of the road with no warning to me or to each other. I, as a cyclist, found this dangerous so if I'd been a car they would have been in trouble.

 

[Crankarm]

Check weather forecast, take appropriate kit. Do not wear yellow or world championship jerseys. Pro team kit is ok if last years but will mark you out for those in the club who have a cruel streak unless you have a pretty strong pair of legs to back your kit up .......... If you like the club then look to getting the club kit sooner than later. Carry spare tubes DON'T repair tubes out on a ride, do this at home. You won't give a very good impression if you are not self sufficient. Don't forget a pump, drink and some food.