Forum rides

[totallyfixed]

A couple of questions that I am intrigued about. Do you try any forum rides and if not, why not? This weekend was a blinder as far as the weather was concerned and a great couple of days for cycling. I did a forum ride and met others I had previously only heard of on the forum. Turned out to be a lovely gentle ride along roads I had never been on before, all in all a very pleasant day and worth the hour spent travelling to get there.
The second part of the question [and I know a few others are wondering the same thing], is why are there are so many forum rides in the north and south but next to nothing in the middle? When someone kindly makes the effort to do so there is little response.
Cycle Chat has I think getting on for 18,000 members, so if only 10% made the effort to meet others and do rides that would be 1,800 CC'ers.

 

[wiggydiggy]

I do keep an eye on them and only clash of dates prevented me from getting on this FNRTTC (https://www.cyclechat.net/)

I do have a little worry I might be thought of as a little argumentative (really!) but AFAIK this is the internet, and whats said online stays online. In RL I'm far more likely to go 'meh' and enjoy the ride with you.

The other would be I'm not a roadie, having got a hybrid, so may be a little slower than needed (I'd say my average is 12 - 17mph).

Will try to keep 2 eyes out from now on to get on a ride soon.

 

[gary in derby]

Im in the middle, would welcome some company. Though still new to this and may struggle with long distances. More than game to give it a go though.
Gary

 

[totallyfixed]

As far as I am aware, and I'm sure someone will very quickly correct me if I am wrong, a forum ride ought to cater for all abilities as long as you can do the distance. If only 2 people turn up for a ride and there is a vast difference in ability then yes it will feel uncomfortable, if 20 turn up there is always going to be others of similar standard. The whole point is that they are social rides.

 

[wiggydiggy]

I'm definitely more of a tourer than a sprinter! Although I've done upto 100 miles in a day before (and it bloody killed me ) 40-50 is more the limit ATM although I'm working on that.

 

[BrumJim]

Yes.
I think it needs one person in an area with the impetus to organise a ride, and a small group of like-minded people to join him. Once it is going, then others might be brave enough to join.

The South Birmingham and Black Country group started with one person trying to get from commuting to club cycling level. It then changed into a Saturday Social Ride, and has been picking up people ever since. Sadly accidents, ill health, the call of sunrise from the seashore and a running diversion has meant that it has been several months since we organised a ride. It also takes a little charisma from the person organising the rides, but not much. Even I've managed to get a few sorted.

I think some may have thought that we were monopolising rides in the area, but the problem was that no one was willing to pick up the baton and do something. Which is what needs to be done. Don't get upset if only one turns up - its happened to me quite a few times. Sometimes there is no rhyme nor reason, just the fall of the dice.

 

[DCLane]

I'm a recent arrival on here - but am up for any forums rides. Hoping to join the Leeds one on the 29th.

Most of the time it's just me out on my tod, although my holidays in France for the past 3 years have seen regular group early morning rides.

 

[I like Skol]

I did a forum ride and met others I had previously only heard of on the forum. Turned out to be a lovely gentle ride along roads I had never been on before, all in all a very pleasant day and worth the hour spent travelling to get there.

+1. I did my first forum ride recently (Going for a Jodd, 25th Sept) and I had similar aprehensions about being too slow/too unfit/having the wrong gear/bike/clothes. I needn't have worried and I reckon around 1/2 the group were first timers like me and the whole group were friendly and welcoming. I needn't have worried as the pace was fairly laid back and no one was left behind.

The other would be I'm not a roadie, having got a hybrid, so may be a little slower than needed (I'd say my average is 12 - 17mph).

I also turned up on my hybrid as it was threatening to lash it down so I wanted mudguards and pannier bag with some dry clothes in. Despite carrying some extra gear and 'only riding a hybrid' I still felt like I was bang on the pace with the rest of the group for the full 50-60 miles and could actually have managed a bit faster despite my normal rides only being a 10 mile ride each way to work.

I recommend to anyone that thinks they can manage the distance to give it a go. Any worries about pace or equipment will be proven groundless and you will have a good time. I enjoyed it so much I have planned my own forum ride to be unveiled in the near future. I just need to wait for the right shift pattern to make it work and with the shorter days and bad weather it may have to wait until spring.

EDIT: spelling

 

[Shaun]

I've joined some locals for rides that they've organised through the forums and word-of-mouth, and because they prefered the more social type of rides (and couldn't find any locally) they've setup their own cycling club to specifically cater for "all comers".

Have a look in the rides forum for Teletext45 (Andy) and you'll see the link.

There's also an issue around finding the rides in amongst so many threads, so I may introduce some regional thread prefixes with the new software so you can click to sort into just your area.

I can say though, that I've enjoyed the company of every CCer I've ever met up with and dispite any online differences, getting out on the bike together is a great leveller.

I'd say just post in the rides forum and see who shouts back - you may find others are equally as enthusiastic and looking for company too.

Cheers,
Shaun

 

[wiggydiggy]

I've got my eye on the leeds one that someone has posted up, waiting to see if dates are good for me

 

[HLaB]

CC Ecosse usually has something on the go, I try to get along to them if the starts within cycling distance.

 

[gaz]

I try and go on the south london sunday rides as often as i can. It's the nice bunch of people i'm cycling with that is the attraction, not so much that we also post on CC.

 

[Glow worm]

A couple of questions that I am intrigued about. Do you try any forum rides and if not, why not?

Partly because I'm a miserable ba$tard, but also, I like to go at my own pace (which is slow) and would hate to slow a crowd up. I like to stop a lot and look at stuff - I get the feeling a lot of folk on here, especially the London lot, like to get from A to B as fast as possible, which for me, misses the whole point of leisure cycling. Nothing against that - each to their own and all that. Must admit I sometimes wonder what a forum ride would be like- the FNRTTCs look absolutely brilliant fun.

 

[Banjo]

I have been on several forum rides and enjoyed all of them. Speed isnt really a problem you have to adapt to the pace of whoever turns up.

Doc Squirrels ride in Herefordshire was quite clever in that he included an optional hill climb for those that wanted it or you could take a half an hour break .

Smallest group was two largest about a dozen.

Dont be put of at the thought of being left behind. Let the organizer know if you are extra slow or a beginner and hopefully they will put youir mind at rest.

 

[Glow worm]

I have been on several forum rides and enjoyed all of them. Speed isnt really a problem you have to adapt to the pace of whoever turns up.

Doc Squirrels ride in Herefordshire was quite clever in that he included an optional hill climb for those that wanted it or you could take a half an hour break .

Smallest group was two largest about a dozen.

Dont be put of at the thought of being left behind. Let the organizer know if you are extra slow or a beginner and hopefully they will put youir mind at rest.