First charity ride question...

[kjen]

I'm participating in my first charity ride this coming weekend. But, because I'm riding with a friend I opted to do just the 10 mile ride and I've not ridden in a group ride on my road bike before so I thought the 10 mile option would be a good starting point. So, question is do I go ahead and ride my road bike that I'll be clipped into or do I ride just my hybrid bike that I can wear normal shoes on? OR, should I possibly put normal pedals on my road bike and go ahead and ride that since this is a somewhat hilly 10 miles. I'm still undecided on which bike to ride for this, and because I've never ridden in a group I'm not quite sure how comfortable I'll feel being clipped in.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[indysteel]

Given what you've shared, I'd probably either ride the hybrid or put regular pedals on the road bike. Are you relatively new to clipless pedals? If you are, then I think you might be better off with one less thing to worry about since you're also not used to riding in a group either.

[kjen]

I'm not new to the clipless pedals, I've been riding with those for quite a while. I just usually ride alone so I wasn't sure if this 10 mile "fun ride" would be more stressful than fun since there are probably kids involved. Thanks for your response, I appreciate it.

[indysteel]

I'm not new to the clipless pedals, I've been riding with those for quite a while. I just usually ride alone so I wasn't sure if this 10 mile "fun ride" would be more stressful than fun since there are probably kids involved. Thanks for your response, I appreciate it.

In that case, it's really a call you have to make. I, personally, feel pretty confident in my clipless, even when I'm in a crowd. I usually just wait to fully clip in until I get out of the worst of it. But, then again, I don't usually do the shortest route at a charity ride such that I'm in the thick of novice riders. Since it's only 10 miles and you're doing it with a friend, you certainly aren't going to signficantly handicap yourself if you ride without clipless pedals.

[kjen]

Yeah, I think I'll bite the bullet and just ride clipless. I'll just have to be aware of others and take it slow till it thins out like you said. Thanks again for the advice!

[thekarens]

I'm also doing my first charity ride this coming weekend. I'm relatively new to clipless, so I've decided to pretty much start towards the back and and let things thin out. It can be a little nerve wracking imo.

[kjen]

Yep, I'll be in the back too. I hope it goes well for me because I would like to be more involved in the biking community and do some of the charity rides. I've just be scared to take the leap into riding in groups. But, I talked to my LBS guy this morning and he said to just jump in and ride clipless like I'm use to, but to just ride safely till it thins out. Good luck with your ride this weekend! hope it goes well for both of us. :)

[indysteel]

For those interested in group riding, I'd suggest finding a small, local group to ride with (maybe through a bike shop or local club) versus charity rides as a good way to get used to riding in groups. Charity rides, IMO, bring out some not so great behaviors, both with new riders and experienced riders alike. In fact, the experienced riders zipping by in fast pacelines can be the biggest hazard in my experience. Ride predictably and to the ride of the lane, and keep an eye out in all directions, including what's going on behind you.

[thekarens]

As my mentor says, "hold your line!" :-) Predictable riding is so much safer.

[MollyJ]

I just rode my first charity ride and it took me a long time before I felt comfortable riding in a crowd like this clipped in. But I'm a slow trajectory person. I have a hybrid with regular peddles and a road bike with clips. Since it's ten miles, it probably doesn't matter but when I go further I start to really miss my road bike features, so given the distance you'll be okay. But on my ride, everyone seemed pretty good at respecting personal space and eventually you stretch out enough that it feels like a regular ride. At the start I put myself at the back of the pack and I didn't have any trouble with feeling like I was too close to people or they were too close to me.