Forum rides
- Thread starter totallyfixed
- Start date
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I'd love to go on one of the rides but haven't been able to make it along to anything yet. I'm another one who's worried about holding everyone back as I seem to average 10-14 mph, cannot manage anything more than a slight slope at all (possibly because my bike is really upright and weighs the same as a tank). Most of all though, I'd really would be worried about holding others back and giving myself a right showing up. I should get over myself and get out there, shouldn't I?
Thats about the pace i go and i have the same problem going up hill at the moment so i cant see myself going along on any get togethers any time soon
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
OP
OP
totallyfixed
Veteran
- Location
- The only county without a McDonalds
Ok, before I hit the sack thanks to all those replying and especially those who are getting up the courage to try a forum ride. For your information 4F on here [thanks for the support] drove over 3 hundred miles round trip to do a forum ride with me few years ago, what an inspiration. He was the only other forumite that turned up and after that I thought I would never try to organise one again. Since then I have been out with Fossey and the gang up Manchester way and had a great time and on Sunday with Colin et al in the midlands.
For now all I will say, and I am sure other leaders will back me up, whatever speed and distance you ride on your own will increase when riding in a group. Not only will this get better but you are likely to learn a lot too. Going to sleep on this one, will post tomorrow with what I think are practcal criteria for coming on a ride if I organise one. Meanwhile keep the posts coming in, it's getting encouraging.
For now all I will say, and I am sure other leaders will back me up, whatever speed and distance you ride on your own will increase when riding in a group. Not only will this get better but you are likely to learn a lot too. Going to sleep on this one, will post tomorrow with what I think are practcal criteria for coming on a ride if I organise one. Meanwhile keep the posts coming in, it's getting encouraging.
potsy
Rambler
- Location
- My Armchair
I'm sure that unless you are used to riding with others or in a club then it is normal to be apprehensive about going on your first forum ride.
I know that I'm slower than a lot of the others but have never felt under pressure to ride at a speed I can't maintain.
I do think it is a good idea to let people know the likely pace of the ride though, I have once or twice had doubts about joining a particular ride when I see the names of people that have signed up and know the kind of pace they usually ride at, always relieved to see one or two names of others that are similar speed to me
The Jodrell ride was a good example of fast and not so fast riders all staying together, waiting at the top of the climbs etc.
I look forward to doing many more rides in 2012, hopefully some more Manchester/Stockport ones to cut down on travelling to and from the rides
I know that I'm slower than a lot of the others but have never felt under pressure to ride at a speed I can't maintain.
I do think it is a good idea to let people know the likely pace of the ride though, I have once or twice had doubts about joining a particular ride when I see the names of people that have signed up and know the kind of pace they usually ride at, always relieved to see one or two names of others that are similar speed to me
The Jodrell ride was a good example of fast and not so fast riders all staying together, waiting at the top of the climbs etc.
I look forward to doing many more rides in 2012, hopefully some more Manchester/Stockport ones to cut down on travelling to and from the rides
If you're worried about speed, hills, dropping off the back, letting everyone down, etc. etc. - don't - the informal CC group rides are casual and inclusive, and once you've done one you'll be less worried about the next one.
The mileage isn't the goal - it's getting together, having a natter, meeting some new friends (or getting reacquainted with old ones) and surprising yourself with the fact that you can probably go further and faster than you realise because the "group" experience distracts you from all that worrying about pace and stamina etc.
And don't forget to post about it afterwards so that others can get a feel for it.
It's great fun ... just go for it!!
Cheers,
Shaun
The mileage isn't the goal - it's getting together, having a natter, meeting some new friends (or getting reacquainted with old ones) and surprising yourself with the fact that you can probably go further and faster than you realise because the "group" experience distracts you from all that worrying about pace and stamina etc.
And don't forget to post about it afterwards so that others can get a feel for it.
It's great fun ... just go for it!!
Cheers,
Shaun
One point no one has made yet is that some of us who use the forum have groups that we ride with already - formal clubs or informal groups of friends or family - and so don't have time or the "need" to join a forum ride too. Mind you I'd like to meet the CC Ecosse group sometime - it just has to be the right moment!
(I think the reason the "Speedy rides for food" call themselves "speedy" is to make it clear that these aren't typical forum rides and aren't suitable for total beginners - they want to do 100 miles and therefore have to go at a reasonable speed.)
(I think the reason the "Speedy rides for food" call themselves "speedy" is to make it clear that these aren't typical forum rides and aren't suitable for total beginners - they want to do 100 miles and therefore have to go at a reasonable speed.)
As long as he didn't mention my shocking lack of fitness 2 years ago then that is fine
I enjoy the forum rides and have been to several round the country: Leicestershire, Hampshire, London and a couple of the track days in Manchester and have met some really friendly people. I shall be up for one of your hilly Yorkshire rides next year once I have lost a few more stones and prehaps got myself a triple..... Can't really do a lot of practice for hills round here.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
In my two Meriden ride threads, I suggested that some people might already be booked up but that surely can't explain why I struggled to get more than 3 or 4 people interested when there are more than two million people living within a 25 mile radius? Midlanders are more club or family-orientated than Southerners or Northerners - surely not?
I must confess that I have had dreams (fantasies?) of organising a fast hilly forum ride when I am finally fit enough again to lead one. If I did do that I would make sure that nobody was caught out. I would point out that it was a rare exception to the usual causal and inclusive rides that we do.
As long as he didn't mention my shocking lack of fitness 2 years ago then that is fine
No - he said what he wrote above - that he was impressed by your willingness to make the effort to go all that way to join him. We are both genuinely surprised by the relative lack of interest that there seemed to be when we organised our Midlands rides.
I had a few people say that they would have liked to come along but they couldn't make it on the dates in question - fair enough, but I was having to bump my threads up to even get that level of response!
PS Oh, and you'd be made very welcome on a northern ride! We do vary the difficulty level. Some are very tough, but some are significantly easier.
OP
OP
totallyfixed
Veteran
- Location
- The only county without a McDonalds
I agree with everything that has been written so far on this thread, must be a first. Potsy probably made a telling point about looking at who else had signed up and maybe deciding it was going to be too quick. The number of forum rides that in the past have generated a huge interest [we have all seen them], pages and pages of replies, and then when you come to read the post ride write up it turns out only a half dozen actually did it. There are always a lot more drop outs than there should be and I think one of the reasons might be because after initially "signing on" early in the thread maybe some known quicker riders got involved and people pull out with a made up excuse because they are afraid they are not up to the mark.
None of that on my rides, I don't care what you look like or what you wear but there has to be a minimum level of ability or we might never get back. Only 2 things I would ask; don't come on a mountain bike unless you are very strong / shod with slicks or semi slicks; be able to ride at an average of 12mph for at least 20 miles on a moderately easy course. From long experience with club riding and bringing on beginners, if you can manage this you will have an enjoyable experience. You will be looked after and not be made to feel you are holding anyone back.
It would be nice to see more ladies out, again from experience the fairer sex often feel there is too much testosterone flying around, to be honest if I were new to cycling and read some of the[improbable] claims about average speeds I think I would avoid forum rides too. Mrs TF will be riding too and will look after any ladies who are unsure of themselves [and if any blokes want to race up the hills she can sort you out as well, ask the guys on Colin's ride
]
Ok, open for questions, criticism etc, just need to think of a date. I am toying with doing an easy taster on a Saturday at the end of November, plenty of trains to Oakham from Birmingham / Nuneaton £14.60 ret.
None of that on my rides, I don't care what you look like or what you wear but there has to be a minimum level of ability or we might never get back. Only 2 things I would ask; don't come on a mountain bike unless you are very strong / shod with slicks or semi slicks; be able to ride at an average of 12mph for at least 20 miles on a moderately easy course. From long experience with club riding and bringing on beginners, if you can manage this you will have an enjoyable experience. You will be looked after and not be made to feel you are holding anyone back.
It would be nice to see more ladies out, again from experience the fairer sex often feel there is too much testosterone flying around, to be honest if I were new to cycling and read some of the[improbable] claims about average speeds I think I would avoid forum rides too. Mrs TF will be riding too and will look after any ladies who are unsure of themselves [and if any blokes want to race up the hills she can sort you out as well, ask the guys on Colin's ride
Ok, open for questions, criticism etc, just need to think of a date. I am toying with doing an easy taster on a Saturday at the end of November, plenty of trains to Oakham from Birmingham / Nuneaton £14.60 ret.
that may be because teh CTC rides are stronger in the Midlands
wiggydiggy
Guru
Ah it was going so well
See theres a target been set already, and I hate targets. I'm a solo/leisure rider, and a commuter. My commute is almost fradulant at 3 miles (i walk it sometimes) so I go out twice a week for a 25 miler to make up for it, but its a 'my pace' 25 miler and if I want to stop and stare at flowers I do.
I'm up for the leeds ride, I'll stick with it failing acts of god but please dont go setting targets.
Ah it was going so well
See theres a target been set already, and I hate targets. I'm a solo/leisure rider, and a commuter. My commute is almost fradulant at 3 miles (i walk it sometimes) so I go out twice a week for a 25 miler to make up for it, but its a 'my pace' 25 miler and if I want to stop and stare at flowers I do.
I'm up for the leeds ride, I'll stick with it failing acts of god but please dont go setting targets.
Some sort of target does need to be set Wiggydiggy. Whether it's for tea or Pub stops which may have been booked for a predetermined time or to meet others en route. You also have to get people round the route in good time for them to get back at a decent time or to catch trains/cars etc.
Organised rides are just that, they need to be organised. You really can't hold up a whole group ride just because one of the riders want's to stop and stare at some flowers.
The majority of rides on here do plainly state the type of rides they are.
For example, the Sunday London Ride, is a stop/start affair with plenty of stops and at a conversational pace. The Speedy rides, are just that. With 2 or 3 stops set a speedier pace for those that wan't to push theme-selves a little harder.
If you are not finding a ride on here that you think doesn't suit you. Then set one up yourself. If only 1 other joins you then you have a ride.
all social occasions involve a degree of conformity. If you're going out to dinner with people and arrive an hour late, and then take a further hour to knock back your starter you're probably not getting in to the swing of things. There are people who find social arrangements difficult or constrictive, and they probably spend more time on their own that most, but most of us get in to the swing of things without difficulty. Other than that, as Ian says, some rides are quick and some rides are slow. The Sunday London Ride can average under four miles an hour, and will never break the ten mile an hour barrier. The FNRttC is a bit faster, and the Rides for Food faster and longer still.