First Group Ride - Worried!

[Gez73]

Good show, well done!!

 

[sonmk]

Nice one,
I have done a few of these locally.
They are nice and easy the the ride leaders ensure no one gets left behind.
I have found it a good way to meet new people and to learn the dynamics of group riding.

Best thing is that they are free

 

[Berties]

well done for taking the leap,you will be fine,nice distance to ride and a average time to do it in,riding alone is not a bad thing,i ride with a group and have out grown their abilities very fast,and so now need to join a more serious group,i ride for hours on my own and enjoy it as i will have no time restrictions stop if i want for a bit to eat,my computer motivates me to keep to a level,but still ride with my wife and boys

 

[Angus444]

Well done, Dave.

 

[Typhon]

Well I am booked on two 'ride strong' Skyrides on the 7th and 14th of October and now they're getting closer I'm starting to think about them more.

This morning I did 24 miles at 13.6mph average and these two runs are 24/26 miles at 11-12 mph. So I think I'll be ok for pace so long as they aren't significantly more hilly than my current routes. I ride almost every day so I still have a fair bit of time to improve my pace/distance too.

It's really riding in a group for the first time that's worrying me. What is the format of these sky ride local runs exactly? Does everyone just follow the pace setters in a peloton or do people hang back? I've read lots of things on here about roadies on carbon bikes turning up and overtaking everyone but does that just refer to the city courses that as I understand it are multiple loops? If you're sat behind the pace setter that would mean you can't be overtaken right? It's not some macho thing that I don't want to be overtaken, it's just that I don't want people whizzing past me, especially if I am overtaking myself. I am not that confident on the bike just yet.

 

[Jodee1kenobi]

I tend to find when cycling in groups there is no whizzing past, but lots of chatting and polite, careful overtakes. (Although there's always the odd exception ) I am sure you will soon forget about your lack of confidence once you get started. It's amazing what the power of a good natter will do
I've done a Sky city ride and they do tend to be a bit of a free for all (and on closed roads).

Well done by the way. Sounds like you're doing great.

 

[Typhon]

That sounds good. I'll just have to make sure I concentrate on the road and don't get too distracted by chatting!

And thanks a lot.

 

[Jodee1kenobi]

That sounds good. I'll just have to make sure I concentrate on the road and don't get too distracted by chatting!

And thanks a lot.

You're welcome! It took me months to pluck up the courage to do it! Have fun and let us know how you get on. :-)

 

[Typhon]

You're welcome! It took me months to pluck up the courage to do it! Have fun and let us know how you get on. :-)

Don't worry I will.

 

[BrumJim]

Well I am booked on two 'ride strong' Skyrides on the 7th and 14th of October and now they're getting closer I'm starting to think about them more.

This morning I did 24 miles at 13.6mph average and these two runs are 24/26 miles at 11-12 mph. So I think I'll be ok for pace so long as they aren't significantly more hilly than my current routes. I ride almost every day so I still have a fair bit of time to improve my pace/distance too.

It's really riding in a group for the first time that's worrying me. What is the format of these sky ride local runs exactly? Does everyone just follow the pace setters in a peloton or do people hang back? I've read lots of things on here about roadies on carbon bikes turning up and overtaking everyone but does that just refer to the city courses that as I understand it are multiple loops? If you're sat behind the pace setter that would mean you can't be overtaken right? It's not some macho thing that I don't want to be overtaken, it's just that I don't want people whizzing past me, especially if I am overtaking myself. I am not that confident on the bike just yet.

Stories are about the Skyride City courses with a continuous loop.
There are Skyride leaders around here somewhere. As far as I am aware, there will be one at the front and one at the back, so no one gets lost or left behind. Macho types would not join such a ride, so don't worry about them. You'll find them on Sportives, where you follow arrows, not leaders.

 

[Typhon]

Stories are about the Skyride City courses with a continuous loop.
There are Skyride leaders around here somewhere. As far as I am aware, there will be one at the front and one at the back, so no one gets lost or left behind. Macho types would not join such a ride, so don't worry about them. You'll find them on Sportives, where you follow arrows, not leaders.

Ah good, I'm glad about that. That's why I avoided going on one of the city ones.

Just one more question - do the Skyride leaders have equipment for puncture repair? Or do I need to bring all that stuff with me?

 

[BrumJim]

Ah good, I'm glad about that. That's why I avoided going on one of the city ones.

Just one more question - do the Skyride leaders have equipment for puncture repair? Or do I need to bring all that stuff with me?

Mmm, my guess is that they would have one for their own bike at least.

 

[Typhon]

Mmm, my guess is that they would have one for their own bike at least.

I guess that given the nature of the ride they would stop and wait for me to fix it so it seems a bit pointless bringing a full set of gear. I might just shove a couple of spare inner tubes in my pocket and ask to borrow their equipment if needed. Anything to save weight!

 

[Mello]

I think you should get use to carrying one spare tube, a set of levers and a hand pump, even if you dont use them on this occasion.

 

[defy-one]

any cyclist more than a mile or two from home should carry a spare tube, tyre levers and a pump as the absolute minimum.... unless you enjoy pushing your bike home.