swansonj
Guru
That I am entirely comfortable with!Perhaps. Let's go for 'keen sporting cyclist' instead...
That I am entirely comfortable with!Perhaps. Let's go for 'keen sporting cyclist' instead...
You have to remember the drafting effect, you can easily sit on the back wheel practically freewheeling at speeds you could struggle to do solo .I went on a fast run a few weeks ago and sitting mid pack i was barely pedaling and just getting sucked along a good 2 mph + more than my average would be solo .Have I got this right? various people are citing club runs at 14 or 15 mph as the slower offering that caters for the less fit among us? Well, excuse me, but I'm with the poster who thought his 12.8 mph wasn't bad. There's no way I could keep up with a 14 mph average for more than an hour or so. But, after 25 years of cycling solo or touring with a single friend, I have found the pleasures of group riding through the Fridays. Let's say London to Brighton - 60 miles - midnight to 7 am, less a one hour tea stop - 6 hours, lo and behold, 10 mph average. That's more my sort of thing. So such clubs do exist.
Depends if your up for it and how far up their on behinds the ride leaders areBut don't you have to take a turn at the front at some point? Just askin like.
Standard etiquette is usually that weaker riders will do short turns and hang back, or indeed hang back entirely. Standard talk this time of year is turning to lights and mudguards. I've suggested that those who turn up to club runs on wet days without guards, should be made to ride 100m in front single line.Depends if your up for it and how far up their on behinds the ride leaders are
Seriously though the general rule of thumb i have seen is that as you get used to riding with a group then you will get more confident /fitter and when you feel you are ready to take a turn at the front then the rest of the riders will appreciate it but its not a necessity.
the club run i rode on today there were (eerrrrr) 8-10 riders and only 3 of us did any real pulling but i enjoy riding at the front and helping others .
Not a good idea of course but accidents do happen I'm still hurting from a crash nearly a month ago and I'm no noob!A chain gang in full steam ahead mode is different kettle of fish i would imagine but i do not most people putting their toes into the pool of group rides are looking at that option yet ?
No problem I don't mind telling anyone my age. Im 57, and I took up cycling again only four weeks ago after not being on a bike since I was 12.
That's 45 years. Believe it or not the old saying that you nevef forget how to ride a bike is true. However I did wobble about quite a lot the first few times.
Im not very good even now, but I do live in the foothills of the cambrian mountains and it is very hilly around here.
I once slipstreamed behind you for several miles around Dartford on the way to Whitstable. I felt quite guilty about it, but I also figured that you wouldn't appreciate some random bloke making a big macho point of huffing and puffing just to prove that he could keep in front of the female. Just when I was feeling so guilty that I'd decided to offer to go in front for a bit, you seamlessly sped up and disappeared up the road....But don't you have to take a turn at the front at some point? Just askin like.
Have I got this right? various people are citing club runs at 14 or 15 mph as the slower offering that caters for the less fit among us? Well, excuse me, but I'm with the poster who thought his 12.8 mph wasn't bad. There's no way I could keep up with a 14 mph average for more than an hour or so. But, after 25 years of cycling solo or touring with a single friend, I have found the pleasures of group riding through the Fridays. Let's say London to Brighton - 60 miles - midnight to 7 am, less a one hour tea stop - 6 hours, lo and behold, 10 mph average. That's more my sort of thing. So such clubs do exist.
How do you figure? The group joined was clearly too fast, it's not up to them to slow down, it's up to the individual to find/join a group for your ability.If they're not willing to help you then it really is not yourself that is the problem! A proper group should have a few nominated persons that are willing to help and motivate the slightly slower guys. Riding solo is fine, but it will be extremely hard to motivate yourself when there is nobody else riding with you.... Perhaps have a chat with the group and explain your issue. Would be a shame to leave the group...... Besides, group/club rides are great when everybody helps each other.
Guys, you should try reading the thread from the beginning! It was Gavroche who went on the group ride, not poor Welsh Dragon, give her a break.
Do they smell or something ?
Oops! I see what you mean, please accept my apologies Welsh Dragon.Guys, you should try reading the thread from the beginning! It was Gavroche who went on the group ride, not poor Welsh Dragon, give her a break.