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Post by bob on Mar 12, 2014 7:32:33 GMT
In addition to the the usual Saturday 0930 social ride, I'm looking at doing a short session ( < 40Km) aimed at improving speed and riding in a group. Similar to the Chain Gang idea but no-one gets dropped, there's no stopping other than for road-regs, accidents and mechanicals and the group sticks together.
Proposed route is based on the Espresso Run so: Up Grassington Rd; Rylstone; Cracoe; Threshfield; Kilnsey; Conistone; Grassington; Threshfield and back to Skipton
Who's it for? Anyone who feels that their speed needs a bit of "pep" or that their group riding skills need improving.
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Post by shannigan on Mar 12, 2014 11:36:36 GMT
Nice idea, Bob. You planning to go out at 0930 like the social ride?
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Post by bob on Mar 12, 2014 12:18:28 GMT
Yes. Keep it consistent then anyone who turns up has the choice.
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Post by andy from embsay on Mar 12, 2014 13:57:04 GMT
Good plan, Bob, and nice idea to keep it inclusive.
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Post by bob on Mar 15, 2014 12:47:29 GMT
A quick report.
Four riders did the first improver ride. It was a bit blustery which made riding interesting at times.
The group decided that pace lining with pushing the speed a little bit was what they wanted to practice and we kept fairly tight as a group for most of the ride.
We averaged around 26.3Kph for the Espresso Run (http://app.strava.com/segments/5288289) though with a couple of short stops (take the stops out of the time and the average speed was about 27.6kph). Whilst not super fast, it was faster than one of the group was comfortable with but he hung on and he'll get the most benefit from the session.
There'll be another improver ride at 0930 next Saturday, hopefully it won't be as windy. Don't be afraid to come along, the clue is in the name, improver. It's not about macho riding off the front but about improving your group riding technique and fitness in a short session.
Cycling is definitely getting popular - from Threshfield as far as Kilnsey there were crowds at the side of the road cheering us on - at least I think they were there for us!
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Post by andy from embsay on Mar 15, 2014 15:33:04 GMT
Sounds like a good session, Bob - hopefully more people will give it a go.
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Post by Spoony on Mar 15, 2014 20:02:32 GMT
Good stuff bob.
Sounds like a good ride
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Post by bronteboy on Mar 15, 2014 20:04:32 GMT
Well done Bob.... cracking idea :-)
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Post by Andy spencer on Mar 15, 2014 22:13:44 GMT
Thank you Bob for dragging me around I enjoyed the ride. It was my first time riding in a group and it was great to experience a small group of rider working together. I appreciate the tips and it was the push my cycling needed . Cheers Andy
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Post by bob on Mar 18, 2014 18:41:03 GMT
"I have some rambling thoughts on the next steps for club rides as we continue to grow membership and develop our activities as a club and accommodate a wide variety of abilities, ages and motivations!
While I enjoy the social rides and the company and have been involved in the organisation of many, I have become frustrated with the lengthy stops to regroup which have been in the cold and usually at top of a hill! I really miss the benefits and buzz of riding as part of a similarly paced group which are well described in the adjoining posts.
I think that I'm caught in the middle of not being quick enough for A rides and wanting the Social Ride to be faster. I know that we have discussed this many times but the opportunity to have a speedier ride on a Saturday seems to have been supported by many in club discussions but not being realised in practice. Does anyone else feel the same? The notion of 2 groups on a Saturday following the same route recently lasted for about 2 Saturdays and then defaulted to "as you were!""
One of the things that Andy has pointed out (several times) is that the actual average speed on the social ride isn't that much slower than the "speedier" ride, it's just that there isn't any stopping and general faffing about which as you mention, isn't pleasant in current temperatures.
Coming back post-op I have a need of improving both speed and overall fitness, hence the improver rides, so partly selfish. Deliberately short, 40Km, so that we can concentrate on group technique and speed. In 85 minutes of riding we had a total of 3 minutes of stoppage, one mechanical and a quick stop to see some guy off the TV. Another driver as it were was the scenario you describe: club members being stuck between two groups; too quick for one; too slow for the other. Sometimes it's not actual fitness but confidence about not being able to keep up. The ideal speed for the group is just a little bit faster than the slowest rider feels capable of. Most club members are capable of holding a reasonable speed but probably don't realise that they are capable of a little bit more now and again.
It's deliberately not a full length club ride, another aim is that participants can get back to town early. This latter might mean it doesn't appeal to you for a main weekend ride.
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Post by Steve Wilkinson on Mar 18, 2014 19:44:10 GMT
Bob I appreciate the motivation behind the improver rides and may join you in a couple of weeks. I suppose I want the best of both worlds: the group experience and a good route!
Will Improver ride do same route each time ?
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Post by bronteboy on Mar 18, 2014 20:08:03 GMT
I guess i come from the old school of cyclists having done this for around 30 years... but here is an insight in virtually every club ride i've been involved in over the years (apart from "cafe racing" and chaingangs. Basically they have always been run as riding in pairs where the front pair dictate the pace of the ride, no one overtakes and tries to up the pace (disrespectful to the leading pair!), the pair usually do a mile or two or until they want a rest. that pair then go single file and let the whole group pass and slot in at the back. The next pair then dictate the pace and so on and so on. This way everyone stays fresh having quite a bit of shelter and the pace remains reasonable, this includes knocking the pace down a touch on hills as to not blow the whole thing apart. There is no half wheeling or any of those antics and if you want to miss a turn or change dance partners a little communication to let people know what you are doing goes along way. It's a very simple way to do things and in my experience works very well.
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Post by Iain Vokes-Tilley on Mar 18, 2014 20:32:26 GMT
All ideas welcomed at club meetings please suggest as AOB for discussion as the rides need to be club sanctioned to be BC insured, also whilst the sentiment is indeed applauded we need to be mindful of spreading out the meagreness membership over too many rides, there maybe ways of incorporating the sentiments suggested in the current rides
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Post by bob on Mar 18, 2014 20:59:08 GMT
Steve W: Yes same route each week.
Stephen: One thing I've noticed is that if a rider (or pair) take too long on the front then they can get a bit tired so if the next rider/pair aren't careful you get the concertina effect.
Iain: appreciate the note about insurance. I think this ride should remain as a small group - I don't think it would work with too many.
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Post by bob on Mar 28, 2014 7:16:27 GMT
Improver ride again on Saturday at 0930. Usual route, up the dale to Kilnsey, back to Grassington via the back road then back to town.
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Post by Steve Wilkinson on Mar 28, 2014 11:33:50 GMT
To get the "best of both worlds", I might join improver ride tomorrow as far as Kilnsey and then go on to Kettlewell to meet Social Ride for their longer route to Buckden. Is this is ok with you Bob? |
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Post by bob on Mar 28, 2014 16:16:39 GMT
No problem with that Steve.
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Post by andy from embsay on Mar 28, 2014 16:26:53 GMT
I'm off over t'Lakes to take my mum out for lunch, so will be riding westwards. Have a good sesh.
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Post by cathw on Mar 28, 2014 16:45:03 GMT
Oof - extra training in the easterly winds for the Fred?
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Post by andy from embsay on Mar 28, 2014 17:15:25 GMT
Tailwind, Catherine - only going about as far as Ingleton then I'll meet K and get a lift.
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