Pace on CTC (Cycling UK) rides

[Accy cyclist]

I went out for a ride yesterday with the ;local CTC. There were only 7 of us with two riding a tandem and two riding carbon racing bikes. I noticed only me and the tandem riders had saddle bags, well panniers in their case. Bear in mind when i take a bag i fill it full of stuff(flask,sandwiches, spare jacket, overshoes etc.),so my bike weighs about 15kgs and it takes more handling being top and back heavy.. Anyway, after about 20 miles of climbing Yorkshire's knackering hills in a strong headwind i started to fall behind the others. The others seemed to be trying and succeeding to keep up with the two younger members on their racing bikes. I just couldn't so i went at my own pace meeting them every now and then when they stopped to wait for me. You can see the look on their faces when you get there of where the feck have you been?!. During the cafe stop they decided that it'd be best if i went home as they didn't think i'd be able to do the next 50 miles up even steeper hills. So after thinking about it i agreed and i set off back on the 36 mile ride home.
The question is are they right to turn up on what is supposed to be a tour and not a race, setting the pace expecting the others to keep up? I thought touring was about having heavy steel bikes weighed down with a sadllebag or panniers and taking in the scenery, not turning up on 7kg bikes and going hell for leather.Ok they might not've been going at a TdF pace(about 15-16 mph) but that ain't touring in my book. I expect 11-13 mph.

 

[Banjo]

I wouldnt expect that pace on a CTC ride. And I wouldnt expect anyone to be told to go home if you cant keep up.

 

[Accy cyclist]

I wouldnt expect that pace on a CTC ride. And I wouldnt expect anyone to be told to go home if you cant keep up.

They were quite polite about it but i don't think they wanted me to say i was carrying on the ride with them. It was for the best. Luckily i didn't get lost on the way home as i've done most of the roads with the Wednesday road club ride. I couldn't have carried on at that pace, especially when they mentioned the more daunting hills they were going to be climbing. Listening to them along the way Sunday is their only ride whereas i'd done 75 miles on the previous Wednesday and 50 miles the day before. Maybe if i'd stayed off the bike last week i'd have been able to keep up but i expect touring rides to be sedate and leisurely not like that.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Unless a pace is declared up front, it should be no one left behind.

I should've known their intentions when they flew down the A59 going faster than the road club does on that road. I let them fly ahead thinking i'd stop at the next turn off and head back and do my own little ride, but they were there waiting for me, with that where have you been look on their faces! Next time i go i might turn up on my carbon jobbie with nothing to weigh me down and not having done 125 miles the days before, but i don't think that's the spirit of touring.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

I went out for a ride yesterday with the ;local CTC. There were only 7 of us with two riding a tandem and two riding carbon racing bikes. I noticed only me and the tandem riders had saddle bags, well panniers in their case. Bear in mind when i take a bag i fill it full of stuff(flask,sandwiches, spare jacket, overshoes etc.),so my bike weighs about 15kgs and it takes more handling being top and back heavy.. Anyway, after about 20 miles of climbing Yorkshire's knackering hills in a strong headwind i started to fall behind the others. The others seemed to be trying and succeeding to keep up with the two younger members on their racing bikes. I just couldn't so i went at my own pace meeting them every now and then when they stopped to wait for me. You can see the look on their faces when you get there of where the feck have you been?!. During the cafe stop they decided that it'd be best if i went home as they didn't think i'd be able to do the next 50 miles up even steeper hills. So after thinking about it i agreed and i set off back on the 36 mile ride home.
The question is are they right to turn up on what is supposed to be a tour and not a race, setting the pace expecting the others to keep up? I thought touring was about having heavy steel bikes weighed down with a sadllebag or panniers and taking in the scenery, not turning up on 7kg bikes and going hell for leather.Ok they might not've been going at a TdF pace(about 15-16 mph) but that ain't touring in my book. I expect 11-13 mph.

I'm a member of CTC and that attitude is not in keeping with, as I understand it, CTC's ride ethos. I'd recommend the branch secretary being made aware that some chain gang clubbies have infiltrated our ranks.

 

[Accy cyclist]

I'm a member of CTC and that attitude is not in keeping with, as I understand it, CTC's ride ethos. I'd recommend the branch secretary being made aware that some chain gang clubbies have infiltrated our ranks.

I actually enjoyed the first ride i did with them. Believe it or not a rider turned up in Plus Fours

and smoked a pipe along the way! I thought ah this is the life, no riders racing ahead and no where the F.. have you been moments. It turned out that the ride with the pipe smoker was a "special ride" only happening about 4 times a year.

 

[T4tomo]

Seems a bit non CTC to me.and very poor behaviour on their part.

I have occasionally hitched along with the odd CTC ride with a neighbour.

You expect a more leisurely pace, and whilst I pitched up on lightweight road bike , I just went with the pace, helped out on the front and enjoyed the chat and cakes.
I was surprised how much crap people carry with them though for a 40- 50 miler via a cafe. Saddle bags and panniers full of all sorts.

 

[Crackle]

Have you ever thought about turning up for a club ride with your ladders over your shoulder and a bucket on your bars, just to see the reaction.

 

[pawl]

Have you ever thought about turning up for a club ride with your ladders over your shoulder and a bucket on your bars, just to see the reaction.

CTC must have changed since my day late fifths early sixties. When the racing season ended we had several riders who raced joined us for club runs.Never any problems.O.K there would be the occasional sprint for a thirty sign.

Occasinaly we would get involved in racing to the top of a hill.we never left anyone behind.

Perhaps cycling was more inclusive then.The local C T C section would often marshall at T T and road races.
Participate in the early season realiabilty trials.Of course back in the day ther were loads of cycling cafes where you could eat your own butties for the price of spot of tea

Hey ho happy dayr.

 

[Bazzer]

I went out for a ride yesterday with the ;local CTC. There were only 7 of us with two riding a tandem and two riding carbon racing bikes. I noticed only me and the tandem riders had saddle bags, well panniers in their case. Bear in mind when i take a bag i fill it full of stuff(flask,sandwiches, spare jacket, overshoes etc.),so my bike weighs about 15kgs and it takes more handling being top and back heavy.. Anyway, after about 20 miles of climbing Yorkshire's knackering hills in a strong headwind i started to fall behind the others. The others seemed to be trying and succeeding to keep up with the two younger members on their racing bikes. I just couldn't so i went at my own pace meeting them every now and then when they stopped to wait for me. You can see the look on their faces when you get there of where the feck have you been?!. During the cafe stop they decided that it'd be best if i went home as they didn't think i'd be able to do the next 50 miles up even steeper hills. So after thinking about it i agreed and i set off back on the 36 mile ride home.
The question is are they right to turn up on what is supposed to be a tour and not a race, setting the pace expecting the others to keep up? I thought touring was about having heavy steel bikes weighed down with a sadllebag or panniers and taking in the scenery, not turning up on 7kg bikes and going hell for leather.Ok they might not've been going at a TdF pace(about 15-16 mph) but that ain't touring in my book. I expect 11-13 mph.

Serious question. Leaving to one side the argument about leaving someone behind, why did you have so much stuff with you? I was over your way (ish) yesterday as part of a circular route from home, which took in Todmorden then over the top to Bacup, Rossendale and Helmshore. My bike had two bottles and a seat bag with puncture repair gear, 'phone, money etc. No planned cafe stops, so nutrition was in the back of my jersey.
The weather forecast didn't suggest the need for a flask, spare jacket, overshoes etc.

 

[Kevin Alexander]

I went out for a ride yesterday with the ;local CTC. There were only 7 of us with two riding a tandem and two riding carbon racing bikes. I noticed only me and the tandem riders had saddle bags, well panniers in their case. Bear in mind when i take a bag i fill it full of stuff(flask,sandwiches, spare jacket, overshoes etc.),so my bike weighs about 15kgs and it takes more handling being top and back heavy.. Anyway, after about 20 miles of climbing Yorkshire's knackering hills in a strong headwind i started to fall behind the others. The others seemed to be trying and succeeding to keep up with the two younger members on their racing bikes. I just couldn't so i went at my own pace meeting them every now and then when they stopped to wait for me. You can see the look on their faces when you get there of where the feck have you been?!. During the cafe stop they decided that it'd be best if i went home as they didn't think i'd be able to do the next 50 miles up even steeper hills. So after thinking about it i agreed and i set off back on the 36 mile ride home.
The question is are they right to turn up on what is supposed to be a tour and not a race, setting the pace expecting the others to keep up? I thought touring was about having heavy steel bikes weighed down with a sadllebag or panniers and taking in the scenery, not turning up on 7kg bikes and going hell for leather.Ok they might not've been going at a TdF pace(about 15-16 mph) but that ain't touring in my book. I expect 11-13 mph.

Depends what was agreed by the leader/organkser and what information was put up on tbe notice board *if that's how your rides are arranged*

When I go out on a group ride the pace is put up so that people know what to expect. Not fair on people if they want to go at a certain pace but have to wait for people (if they are sticking to the planned speed)

 

[Racing roadkill]

I completed another Skyride Local yesterday, as leader. The CTC is more akin to the Skyride Social, where there is no real accountability for the organiser / leader. On the more structured 'Skyride Local' we have a ratio of 1 leader per 8 riders. This means that if the group is varied, in its ability / experience / bike type, we can split the group, then rendezvous at a predetermined point ( coffee shop / pub / whatever). No one gets left behind / dropped / asked to bugger off if they're not quick enough. If I'm organising a Skyride Social, I'll make sure I ride at the pace of the slowest rider, and I keep an eagle eye on the speed. We have a 'pace guideline' which is dependent on the 'ride level', which varies from <8mph for an "easy going" ride, through 8-10mph for "steady rides", 10-15 mph for "challenging" rides and "ride further" rides. These are posted with the ride details, ( along with recommended bike / tyre choice ) so as to help the riders decide, which rides are best suited to their experience and kit. So far, I've not had any problems, in fact I won the regional award for 'social organiser of the month ' for my region, and the Skyride Local Team leader of the month, for my ride to Hamble, a couple of weeks ago. The system seems to work quite well.

 

[boydj]

CTC must have changed since my day late fifths early sixties. When the racing season ended we had several riders who raced joined us for club runs.Never any problems.O.K there would be the occasional sprint for a thirty sign.....................

CTC has changed - it is now British Cycling.

I don't think the ethos of their rides has changed, though - but that does depend on a ride leader who knows what they're doing and can control the group.

 

[Ajax Bay]

CTC has changed - it is now British Cycling.

Well, no, actually; it's "Cycling UK". British Cycling is the national lead body.
Agree title could usefully be changed to (say) "Pace dilemma on CTC (Cycling UK) rides".

 

[boydj]

Well, no, actually; it's "Cycling UK". British Cycling is the national lead body.
Agree title could usefully be changed to (say) "Pace dilemma on CTC (Cycling UK) rides".

Thanks for the correction.