Geonz
05-26-2009, 01:10 PM
I'm in Virginia, where I used ot live and got started cycling, but only at an easy pace on the no-drop rides. I'm back for little brother's wedding and came early to be a go-fer since two of my other siblings (there's 6 of us) can't drive much or at all for medical reasons... which means lots of time to try to be out of the way, too.
So, I looked up the rides and... oh, boy. There's a Tuesday ride, but it's a "B+" level ride... 16 up to 18 mph Fast social with emphasis on riding
Frequent paceline riding, occasional regrouping, leader rides anywhere within group, riders who fall off the paceline and slower riders may be dropped.
welp, I haven't done a ride at that level this year... and then there's the eternal question - is it really at that level. I emailed the leader to ask if tuesday noon folks were retirees or strapping college students... he said "older group that likes to work hard."
It was sweet. I showed up on my hybrid with toe clips (*fast* hybrid wiht road tires, thank you) and they didn't say word one about it, before or after. Okay, I'd said stuff like that I wanted to get to 3000 miles on the year today... and in reverse of my usual habits wore stuff to look like a cyclist. It was just a good ride ;) 40 miles at 17 mph (gosh! advertised speed! Ride fitting description! ... welp, it *is* still early in the season, but the guy said they do the ride year-round, which is also good to know, and that I was more than welcome any time)
Of *course* there were times when I was sure I couldn't do this (I usually average 15-16) ... but... I also knew that when I focused on riding really, honestly, as well as I could and trusting myself... that I'd surprised myself before. What a pleasant paradox -- I was suprised, but I expected it :D
... now I'm out to the evening ride, but I'll cruise with the "B and C" group this time.
So, I looked up the rides and... oh, boy. There's a Tuesday ride, but it's a "B+" level ride... 16 up to 18 mph Fast social with emphasis on riding
Frequent paceline riding, occasional regrouping, leader rides anywhere within group, riders who fall off the paceline and slower riders may be dropped.
welp, I haven't done a ride at that level this year... and then there's the eternal question - is it really at that level. I emailed the leader to ask if tuesday noon folks were retirees or strapping college students... he said "older group that likes to work hard."
It was sweet. I showed up on my hybrid with toe clips (*fast* hybrid wiht road tires, thank you) and they didn't say word one about it, before or after. Okay, I'd said stuff like that I wanted to get to 3000 miles on the year today... and in reverse of my usual habits wore stuff to look like a cyclist. It was just a good ride ;) 40 miles at 17 mph (gosh! advertised speed! Ride fitting description! ... welp, it *is* still early in the season, but the guy said they do the ride year-round, which is also good to know, and that I was more than welcome any time)
Of *course* there were times when I was sure I couldn't do this (I usually average 15-16) ... but... I also knew that when I focused on riding really, honestly, as well as I could and trusting myself... that I'd surprised myself before. What a pleasant paradox -- I was suprised, but I expected it :D
... now I'm out to the evening ride, but I'll cruise with the "B and C" group this time.