Weekend "slowcial rides - Ride details see 1st post

DonDaddyD

@Shoulder, 15miles to Richmond Park will feel like 7, with all the traffic lights.

@Coriander, if you can't ride your bike in a 'slow' ride group designed to go slow and keeping up with the slowest rider then when can you ride in a group.

Sorry if my post came across as stand-offish, it wasn't intending to do so. It's a slow ride designed to encourage the slower riders who want to ride long distances and put miles in legs, but also to have fun.

Chances are we'll average 12mph anyway.

Rich158

So what happened to 'We'll go at the pace of the slowest rider, wait on climbs etc' If we can't accomodate everyone on what is meant to be a pleasant Sunday morning social run then it's a pretty sorry state of affairs.

If you need to get back at a certain time then fine, accompany the main group for as long as you can and then head home, don't expect everyone to up the pace beyond their respective abilities just to accomodate you. I appreciate how the preasures of time add up, I've been there, but trying to get it done on a unrealistic schedule will spoil the ride for you, and everyone else.

KB is right, it's a very simple concept, cycle, have lunch, a drink and cycle back, as a group - if it takes a little longer then so be it. If you can't make every ride is it really a problem? I can't make every one, but if I can catch up with everyone once a month or so then fantastic.

Honestly, and I thought it would be ITB and myself scaring people off :roll: :roll: :roll:

Kieran_Burns

I swear if I didn't have someone coming to view the house on Sunday I'd bloody drive down and do the ride with you lot. AND I'd spend the entire time cycling with Coriander.


Okay - may the last bit would not encourage her to turn up... I'd let you borrow my cape? It's very fetching

shoulder_of_orion

70 miles is going to feel like 70 miles I am pretty sure of that. I am not complaining and I certainly don't want to put anyone else off. I am basically writing sunday off for this, which is fine.

My intentions are to improve my overall fitness, to do that it has to be regular, ideally every week or at a minimum every other. I can afford to give up sunday mornings for that but cannot give up all day every w/end.

I totally get the point that it should be at the pace of the slowest rider and I have always been behind that premise. If I need to leave early this weekend or any other, I will make my own way back. I am big enough and ugly enough to manage that.

DonDaddyD

Rich158 wrote:

So what happened to 'We'll go at the pace of the slowest rider, wait on climbs etc' If we can't accomodate everyone on what is meant to be a pleasant Sunday morning social run then it's a pretty sorry state of affairs.

To be fair, from the very first post and on the first page I pretty much tried to state expectation. It's a ride for the slower people on the forums but the intention was to aim for a pace around 15mph as oppose to 20-25mph. The overall average would likely be about 12mph though.

When you suggested that on a flat we ride at the pace of the slowest rider I responded with:

+1!

I'm not going in with the expectation to keep up...

The general premise is to primarily put miles into legs. And to get the slightly slower SCRers riding together to improve and get faster.

Hopefully the first one will be a hit and then we can roll out future dates for rides.

What concerns me is that slow becomes not trying andjust rolling along (which is fine if that's what everyone wants). I still would like to pedal my bike at around 15mph while accepting that if there is someone slower I will slow down and match their pace.

This whole thing stems from my experience with Jen J at Richmond Park, I sped off and we left her behind (she wanted us to). I think back to that and reckon I would have had more fun and done more laps had I held back and ridden at her pace.

DonDaddyD

I was hoping this would be an every other week affair...

Sewinman

Coriander wrote:

There seem to be quite a few differing expectations and desires for Sunday's ride. I feel that mine are probably going to spoil a number of people's, so I'm going to withdraw. I think there's a real danger no one will enjoy the ride otherwise.

MTFU!

I have a Garmin and have saved the file on it.

Rich158

Just a little aside/story for everyone trying to improve their fitness.

Last September I did my first imperial century, in under 6 hours. Prior to that the furthest I had ridden was 60 miles, at a pretty slow pace, and my daily commute of course, which at the time was about 3/4 days a week. I was chatting to a few guys on the ride and they were of the opinion that racking up the mileage isn't as important as getting on the bike every day for a quality workout, and that doesn't mean mega mileage. This idea has since been bourne out by several articles on line and in cycling weekly.

I never, and I mean never, train for a long ride, I rarely ride more than 30 miles at a time, at anything like a decent pace, yet I still managed the Fred Whitton Challenge, and the Tour of Pembrokeshire - both very hilly/mountainous rides - in good times.

The point I'm trying to make is that whilst these weekend rides will be invaluable in building a good base level of fitness, don't get too hung up on them. You're all probably a damn sight fitter than you realise, purely because you get on your bike on an almost daily basis.

Just get on the bike, have fun, and don't worry about the pace, that will slowly improve, and if we ride as a group will probably be far quicker than you realise. After all you use somethig like 30% less energy in the centre of the group.

Lecture over, self rightousness levels restored, relax

il_principe

Can I just make a few observations:

AFAIK this ride is designed as an opportunity for the slower/less experienced riders to get some miles in their legs, to start to improve fitness, and to see what it's like to venture out of London by bike. As such no one will get left behind, but if people want to improve fitness then they need to be prepared to push themselves a little bit - is this the ride for doing that? I don't know. However, I would suggest that in future we run two different kinds of ride, a social pootle and a faster ride for those who want to improve, we can't do both.

I think a lot of you are getting worried over nothing though, let's go on Sunday and see how things pan out. It should be a fun day and no one is going to get left behind.

il_principe

Rich158 wrote:

Just a little aside/story for everyone trying to improve their fitness.

Last September I did my first imperial century, in under 6 hours. Prior to that the furthest I had ridden was 60 miles, at a pretty slow pace, and my daily commute of course, which at the time was about 3/4 days a week. I was chatting to a few guys on the ride and they were of the opinion that racking up the mileage isn't as important as getting on the bike every day for a quality workout, and that doesn't mean mega mileage. This idea has since been bourne out by several articles on line and in cycling weekly.

I never, and I mean never, train for a long ride, I rarely ride more than 30 miles at a time, at anything like a decent pace, yet I still managed the Fred Whitton Challenge, and the Tour of Pembrokeshire - both very hilly/mountainous rides - in good times.

The point I'm trying to make is that whilst these weekend rides will be invaluable in building a good base level of fitness, don't get too hung up on them. You're all probably a damn sight fitter than you realise, purely because you get on your bike on an almost daily basis.

Just get on the bike, have fun, and don't worry about the pace, that will slowly improve, and if we ride as a group will probably be far quicker than you realise. After all you use somethig like 30% less energy in the centre of the group.

Lecture over, self rightousness levels restored, relax

Well said Rich! Although IMHO there's no substitute for getting regular long rides in your legs if you can find the time.

linsen

Any social ride I have done with guys from here has been completely unintimidating, they have waited for me, because that's what a social ride involves.

If anybody is too hung up on speed not to wait, then it is they who have the problem and they should be doing rides on their own.

It doesn't happen.

stuaff

Rich158 wrote:

Just a little aside/story for everyone trying to improve their fitness.

Last September I did my first imperial century, in under 6 hours. Prior to that the furthest I had ridden was 60 miles, at a pretty slow pace, and my daily commute of course, which at the time was about 3/4 days a week. I was chatting to a few guys on the ride and they were of the opinion that racking up the mileage isn't as important as getting on the bike every day for a quality workout, and that doesn't mean mega mileage. This idea has since been bourne out by several articles on line and in cycling weekly.

I never, and I mean never, train for a long ride, I rarely ride more than 30 miles at a time, at anything like a decent pace, yet I still managed the Fred Whitton Challenge, and the Tour of Pembrokeshire - both very hilly/mountainous rides - in good times.

The point I'm trying to make is that whilst these weekend rides will be invaluable in building a good base level of fitness, don't get too hung up on them. You're all probably a damn sight fitter than you realise, purely because you get on your bike on an almost daily basis.

Just get on the bike, have fun, and don't worry about the pace, that will slowly improve, and if we ride as a group will probably be far quicker than you realise. After all you use somethig like 30% less energy in the centre of the group.

Lecture over, self rightousness levels restored, relax

+1. Up to late 2007, I hadn't done any riding for recreation/fitness for 15-16 years, just the commute (4 or 5 miles a day). Did the Freewheel that September, acquired Mr Jetstream at the end of the year, started riding in earnest January '08. I wasn't too sure of my own fitness levels & of safe routes around the area, but I started at 8-10 miles for weekend runs, then over the following months 10-15, 15-20…Did the IOW Randonnee shorter route last year but actually covered 59 miles all day (!). In the last few months I've made a concious effort to step up the mileage, so I usually go out for an hour or so in the morning once or twice during the week, while 30 milers are usual and fairly easy for me at weekends (I tend to stick to what I can manage in a morning or afternoon). And it is working. I did the full IOW this year, in less time I think than the short one last year, done L2B (twice) on Friday Night Rides to the Coast, this Friday I'm doing the next one- London to Bognor, and as it's only 25 miles to home I'm riding back as well. So that'll be my first ton.
OK, I ended up as lanterne rouge in RP the other week, but I'm not that slow.....

biondino

Shoulder of Lamb wrote:

70 miles is going to feel like 70 miles I am pretty sure of that. I am not complaining and I certainly don't want to put anyone else off. I am basically writing sunday off for this, which is fine.

I don't think you should see it as "writing a day off", though - it's a day's cycling, for its own sake. Yes, you won't be able to do anything else until the evening, but you WILL be riding your bike lots and spending time with lots of cool people. Doesn't sound like a wasted day to me!

This ride is a ride for pootlers. That's the point of it, not to try and up fitness (though that might be an agreeable side effect for some). It's supposed to be a fun, unpressured ride through the countryside with a lovely pub pit stop. That's the essence of it. Trying to estimate average speed, or how long it will take, is simply unnecessary because it doesn't matter.

I would be happy to stay with any group which feels the speedier members are going too fast for them. I want Coriander to come as she is ace. I know there's no bad will involved in a single person doing this ride, so let's *all* give it a go and see how we get on, with the understanding that there is no "minimum level of performance" required.

Future rides may be arranged slightly differently if this ride teaches us anything. Great, that's how it should be. But I don't want to see anyone put off here.

Sewinman

+1 Biondino.

Its important Coriander comes along in my opinion. It will be great fun! No-one will care about average speeds etc on the day. Its just a nice spin in the countryside, with the benefit of putting some miles through the legs. So come on Coriander, change your mind.

Stuey01

Stop worrying everyone!

Wimbledon village or RP is fine as an end point for me, both are near to my house so I'll go with the majority decision.

DonDaddyD

I created this thread on the backend of a doctors visit, which resulted in my finding out that I was 16stone. I did so because I want to go on longer rides to put miles in legs but not ride at the pace of the fastest rider/those among us.

The overarching idea was to encourage some of the slower riders to get together ride as a group (like the rest of you do) and benefit from long rides.

I posted a "speed" (from the very first post) to give an indication of expectation, but an expectation that this isn't, for many commuters, a balls out sprint.

Personally, in this thread I have always maintatined a desire to want to pedal my bike at 15mph. What the average is I don't know but I suspect it will be closer to 12mph. But I don't really care, I could be the slowest, I still won't care.

I've been on a social ride where everyone has had to wait for me and only me. I didn't care about that either. But I know what that is like, if I have to ride slower to stay in a group, I will and it won't upset me. After all, the goal is to complete the route not match a certain pace.

All are welcome and I've been happy to change my expectation and for this idea to evolve into what it is.

Jen J

DonDaddyD wrote:

This whole thing stems from my experience with Jen J at Richmond Park, I sped off and we left her behind (she wanted us to). I think back to that and reckon I would have had more fun and done more laps had I held back and ridden at her pace.

You mean because of my witty, sparkling conversation, right?

This whole ride idea sounds great, and I remember when I joined BR almost a year ago, that nothing like this existed.

Since then, we've started frequent rides around Richmond Park, done various social ride around Marlborough, Surrey and my personal nemesisisisis around the IOW.

I have seen people on here improve in confidence so much (probably myself more than anyone) in the last year and a lot of it is to do with the support and encouragement shown on this forum.

Having a social ride with the aim of getting people improving their bike skills and physical ability is a great idea, and riding in a group does make you go that little bit faster without you even realising.

As people have already said on here, people will inevitably break off at times - up hills etc, but will stop and wait. TBH, it seems there is a huge group of you going, and I would have though it would be harder to stick all in one pack the whole time.

In my experiences of RP rides, there have been between 4-12 of us, and people tend to ride in pairs or so, chatting and then changing around so most people get to speak to most people. It really is *social* yet I've always ridden faster than I would otherwise, without noticing it.

I haven't seen the route Jash posted for this weekend, but I suspect it will be similar to the Surrey Hills route he sent me last year. If so, you're in for a treat, especially those who are just used to riding in London.

Don't compare London speed to general speed - my friend came over from Portsmouth a few weeks back and we did RP - he was stunned to average 15mph when he's used to 20+mph at home - it's just how riding in London is. You'll be surprised how much quicker you'll be without even trying, once you get away from alll the traffic lights etc.

Bassjunkieuk

Jen J wrote:

Don't compare London speed to general speed - my friend came over from Portsmouth a few weeks back and we did RP - he was stunned to average 15mph when he's used to 20+mph at home - it's just how riding in London is. You'll be surprised how much quicker you'll be without even trying, once you get away from alll the traffic lights etc.

Very true, it's amazing what a lack of traffic and traffic lights can do for your average speed!
All that slowing for filtering and stop/start at traffic lights can have a noticeable difference on your average, even if you do sprint away from lights and brake at the last minute!

Cafewanda

I hope you lot sort out all the niggles with this first ride. I'm aiming to be on the next one with my hybrid unless the Fairy Godmother puts a brand new roadie outside my bedroom door in the meantime :roll:

Just do it and analyse it to death afterwards not before.

Bloody hell I thought women were difficult when trying to arrange summat :shock:

itboffin

linsen wrote:

Any social ride I have done with guys from here has been completely unintimidating, they have waited for me, because that's what a social ride involves.

If anybody is too hung up on speed not to wait, then it is they who have the problem and they should be doing rides on their own.

It doesn't happen.

Right on lins

Normally i'd crawl over broken glass at the op to drink beer but alas not this time, it's just too far and you all smell...

FACT

shoulder_of_orion

Ack. god. sometimes it all comes out wrong. I feel like the bad guy now and sorry for that....

Let's just for a ride.

shoulder_of_orion

go

DonDaddyD

itboffin wrote:

linsen wrote:

Any social ride I have done with guys from here has been completely unintimidating, they have waited for me, because that's what a social ride involves.

If anybody is too hung up on speed not to wait, then it is they who have the problem and they should be doing rides on their own.

It doesn't happen.

Right on lins

Normally i'd crawl over broken glass at the op to drink beer but alas not this time, it's just too far and you all smell...

FACT

On the subject of Wiltshire, I'm hoping a round 2 will be scheduled at some point. Same route as there are some hills and a road I have a vendetta with....

Plus your wife's cooking is the shizzle....

il_principe

Bravo Jen, very well put. Unfortunately we're not doing quite the same ride I sent you; this bunch can't hack the hills!

Oddjob62

Comp's been cancelled, so if i think my body can handle the miles i'll be coming. Will be more than double the most miles i've done in a day though :shock:

_Brun_

Oddjob62 wrote:

Comp's been cancelled, so if i think my body can handle the miles i'll be coming. Will be more than double the most miles i've done in a day though :shock:

Good man!

Still dunno if I'm gonna be working Sunday, but if I can make it does 8:45 in Regent's Park sound good? Should be able to take a more direct route at that time.

Looks like top side of 65 miles in total. I reckon that's somewhere in the region of 18,000 turns of the crank. Sounds a lot doesn't it?

roger_merriman

Oddjob62 wrote:

Comp's been cancelled, so if i think my body can handle the miles i'll be coming. Will be more than double the most miles i've done in a day though :shock:

be fine, honest promice, it's like steep hills a lot of people are defeated before they turn a crank.

It's just a ride in the surrey lanes with some nice folk and some beer after.

after check the miles out and brag! ;-)

Oddjob62

_Brun_ wrote:

Good man!

Still dunno if I'm gonna be working Sunday, but if I can make it does 8:45 in Regent's Park sound good? Should be able to take a more direct route at that time.

Looks like top side of 65 miles in total. I reckon that's somewhere in the region of 18,000 turns of the crank. Sounds a lot doesn't it?

Cool. 8:45 sounds good (well it doest' sound good, but it sounds like a plan)

18000? :shock: Might have to bring a rope so you can pull me back to North London

Oddjob62

roger merriman wrote:

be fine, honest promice, it's like steep hills a lot of people are defeated before they turn a crank.

TBH the Surrey part isn't the bit I'm worried about, it's the getting back through Central London and back up Hampstead Hill that may kill me... ahh well, doesn't kill makes stronger and all that

PinkPedal

I am really looking forward to this

Coriander, I hope you will make it?