Ride leading - any advice?

[GrumpyGregry]

70 miles x 3 days may require you to pack a cattle prod for the last day. The first time I tried it I was so knackered by mid afternoon on day 3 I actually sat by the side of the road and had a little sob.

 

[Fiona N]

...

if you can recruit a trusted lieutenant or two to lead while you ride at the back and vice versa, it will save endless riding up and down the group making sure the people at the front aren't riding too fast and that people aren't dropping off at the back....

I'll second that - it may be the most important piece of advice.

Remember - trouble always collects at the back

When I used to 'lead' rides, my preference was always for riding at the back with someone I trusted on the front setting the pace. We'd only swop if the conditions were such, say, leading the group into a headwind, that it was necessary.

 

[srw]

70 miles x 3 days may require you to pack a cattle prod for the last day. The first time I tried it I was so knackered by mid afternoon on day 3 I actually sat by the side of the road and had a little sob.

A cattle prod sounds a good idea! Fortunately I've managed to persuade the ultimate ride leader to rein in his enthusiasm such that the last 30 miles are now pancake flat (and the wind forecast is behind us) rather than a tour round the steepest bits of South Wales.

It does sound rather hardcore, doesn't it? I've done rather longer rides (see my sig), but I have nightmares that one person - who will be in my group, since I'm leading the slow-coaches - will turn out not to have learnt how to change gear. We do have a sag-wagon, and I am willing to be ruthless in my use of it if necessary. It has not been publicised as an easy ride but as a real challenge. Mountain bikes have been banned, and at least half the total group went out for a swift 40-miler a couple of months ago. On that occasion I was the one being left behind on the hills.

Thanks to all for your suggestions, which will be employed. One other suggestion occurred to me last night - wield the pump on everyone's tyres before we set off!

 

[dellzeqq]

bear in mind this - you can't do everything for them. They have to make some small decisions - like when to pull away from the kerb, and whether it's safe to move right for a turn. I nev er ask about medical conditions - if somebody wants to tell me that's fine, and if somebody asks a question I'll try and find an answer.

I'd second the TEC thing, but I'd also appoint the occasional wayfinder from time to time, making sure that they know who the TEC is. It avoids having to stop at every junction, and it brings you news from the back.