Weekend Report for TE girls ( Club bike ride)

Hi everyone! My hands were so eager to write about this weekend. I did my first ride with a Bike Club on saturday, and a ride with a different bike club on sunday. On saturday we went for 26 miles, it was a "C" paced group, and on Sunday went 35 miles ( also C). The reason I decided to go with two different bike clubs is just to compare the routes and also people themselves. At first I was a little nervous about riding so close to other people, following the signs and stops/starts of course! But it went great, and I felt very strong especially on the hills ( the cycling classes do amazing job :) I feel that once i get more comfortable riding in traffic, i can take a B ride, because physically I am totally ready for more challanging pace. So, this weekend was a weekend of attacking MY DEMONS. I feel great, and I am one more step closer to becoming a stronger rider, and of course a safer rider. Thanks to everybody who took their time to read this long story ;) but it seems like i can't just shut up , if i could i would go on and on and on, but you dont want that. In reward i am buying myself a new pair of shorts, i think i deserve it!

Marina

You sure do deserve those shorts! You may need to change your handle--hardly a fresh newbie anymore. Good for you. Smart of you to do the research. Did you like one of the clubs more than the other, or will you keep doing rides with both?

Thanks! I did like the club from saturday better, first of all they were much friendlier people, who were riding safer ( at least to me it seemed this way) Yes they did a shorter ride, but thats why you move up to B level if you feel stronger. I forgot to mention that on saturday one mile to the end my speedplay cleat came off, and I had to ride with one foot and i managed not to fall :-) YEY !!! Also, my but a little sore, but I see it as a little reward of a hard work. Thanks Lise!

Excellent, Marina! You deserve the shorts and will be on that B ride in no time! How great to find a good club!

Fresh Newbie- Try raising your seat just a tad to see if that helps - as in 1cm. Mark it with tape so you know where you started and where you put it. That might be all you need to do to be comfortable on your bike.

Also, get good gel shorts. Performance makes an elite short that is great. I have 3 and am quite happy with the way the chamois is designed.

I actually did raised my seat already, and it feels that if i raise it more I will have to point my toes down on the stroke. I do think it might be the seat and the fact that it was my second ride this year for such a distance more than 10 miles. Actually, it's more my front than my butt that's sore now. There could be hundred of factors that go into this: 1) my bike was never fit to me, i got it from ebay as a trainer bike, 2) i dont ride on hoods because they dont have rubber covering and my hands slip from metal, 3) i was too nervous riding next ppl and was not completely relaxed :) (but i am getting better at it). But i am planning on getting a new bike pretty soon, and i will make sure that most of the factors above will be taken care off, esp the fit.

It would be interesting to find out if the "B" level folks ride safer or less so. (Here, sometimes the "slower" rides are less safe as people are talking and riding 3 abreast, etc - and sometimes it's the faster folks who are cruising through stop signs.)

It's funny Geonz, because I thought maybe that was the thing. But no, my bf went on B ride with the same club, and after he came back on sunday he said same thing, they run red lights.