My local CTC has the same policy, it’s a lovely group to cycle with and I would cycle with them a lot more if I actually liked cycling in a group .
Mrs exlaser has had a similar problem . She rides with a women only club ( that’s been very inclusive in the past ) that used to have three distinct groups , beginners, intermediate and fast with hard and fast rules on average speeds . But the trouble is a lot of the fast riders are now riding on the intermediate rides . My wife can do the average speed 11 to 13 mph of the intermediate rides but when these faster rider take part they ride just a bit faster and she gets dropped . In the past the group would have moderated their speed now they don’t . The problem being one of these faster riders is the organiser of the club. ☹️She is thinking of changing to the CTC group.
Very interesting. We have precisely this problem in my club. We have a Social ride and A, B, C groups which are fast, intermediate and club pace. On a Saturday there are Social and C (club pace) rides. On a Sunday A, B, C rides.
Sadly over the past 12 - 18 months B riders who can't ride on Sunday turn out on a Saturday for the C ride and push the pace to B level. A lot of people, including myself, have stopped turning out for the Saturday C ride as one can never be certain who will be riding at what pace.
I've repeatedly urged the C group to let these B riders fire off the front and ride at C pace. Do they? No, everyone chases and ends up nackered.
I hate to say it but this is a side-effect of the weekend warriors who don't understand or care about club riding.
