Skyrides

[gmac190]

Hi there,

I'm wondering if anyone can tell me if the pace of a sky ride is dictated by the leaders or do they just let you loose to go what ever speed you want?

Thanks

 

[lmk1]

sky rides always appear to be full, at least the glasgow ones do! I notice you are in Carluke, myself and my mate could be best summed up slow and old but we're in lanark

 

[Steve H]

Hi there,

I'm wondering if anyone can tell me if the pace of a sky ride is dictated by the leaders or do they just let you loose to go what ever speed you want?

Thanks

The city based rides are open for you to go round as many times as you like, as quickly as you like, but there are plenty of families so not really suited to blasting round.

The various organised Sky Rides have an effort level (Ride Easy, Ride Steady, Ride Well and Ride Strong). These have leaders and they go at the pace of the leaders. On the Sky website it shows the average speeds of the various effort levels. They generally go at the speeds shown on the website, but they don't leave anyone behind, so if someone is a bit slower, the group goes slower. I think with the Ride Strongs - if the group has different levels of riders within, it can split into two - with one group going a bit faster.

 

[GlasgowGaryH]

I usually just turn up for Sky Rides in Glasgow and leaders just add me on day. Have never been turned away as 3 or 4 riders usually dont turn up. Nobody ever gets dropped off the back, the group usually just splits depending on how many leaders there are. Last day tomorrow for Sky Rides in Glasgow till next year

 

[Chutzpah]

I've been on a load of Sky Ride Locals in my area (earned a Team Sky jersey!) Around our way only the family ones seemed to fill up.

The ride leaders will never leave you behind. I've both been in groups where I've been at the front (as others were slower) but also at the back (my excuse was that everyone was on carbon road bikes).

I've been first to the top of the steep hills and waited around with a leader at the top for others to catch up, and also been in the last group to get over the top and meet with all the others that have been waiting.

What I'm getting at is that I've always enjoyed them, and as long as you don't go for a level that is beyond your capability you'll have a whale of a time (even if the trade off is advertising Murdoch's evil empire)

I've done ride easy (with the child trailer) all the way up to one ride strong.

 

[mr_cellophane]

What is the point of going on a led ride if you are going to rush off at your pace   

The leaders will try and keep the group together, especially where there are tricky sections of route ahead.  If you want to shoot off down a hill, don't assume the route will go all the way down.     It is quite funny to watch someone shoot off knowing that they will then have a long climb to get back with the rest.   

2 more Sundays of them down in London.  Next year might start earlier, March/April so keep your eyes open/

 

[gmac190]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I'm on the Glasgow one tomorrow, it'll be interesting to see how I enjoy it as I usually ride alone and go at my own pace so wasn't sure what the script would be.

Hopefully it'll be a good run.

 

[ufkacbln]

The general idea though is that you are free to dictate your own sensible speed, but practically the speed is restricted by the children and novices.

Not funny unless you were like me an observer, but in Southampton we were coming round a corner where a young child had stopped mid path. A domino effect of cyclists colliding and falling resulted in a pile of about 30 or so. All slow speed so no injuries or damage, but then form the front this indignant child's voice.....

"But Mummy you told me to stop!"

 

[GlasgowGaryH]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I'm on the Glasgow one tomorrow, it'll be interesting to see how I enjoy it as I usually ride alone and go at my own pace so wasn't sure what the script would be.

Hopefully it'll be a good run.

Did you enjoy it? Could not of picked a better day weather wise for this time of year. View from top of Erskine Bridge was amazing.

 

[gmac190]

Yes Fokker although the initial speed was slower than I'm used to I enjoyed cycling in a group (never done group cycling) and chatting away while we're cycling.

Around the 10 miles to go the leader said of anyone wanted to go ahead then there wouldn't be an issue, so 5 of us went ahead.

The weather was excellent, no wind plenty of sunshine, but it was pretty chilly.

 

[GlasgowGaryH]

I actually go along to be slowed down, makes a change from usual Sunday morning out and back as fast as I can. Roll on next spring when they start again. Glad you enjoyed it