Cascade Training Series

[lauraelmore1033]

Does anybody have any experience with the Cascade club's training series? I've run into a couple of people who tried it and they related horror stories of being dropped on the first hill and left on their own out in the middle of nowhere, even in the slow group. I wasn't familiar enough with either of them to know what kind of riders they were, so I have no basis to judge the veracity of either tale. I have heard rumors that Cascade rides do tend to go a lot faster than the posted pace (the word "hammerheads" was bandied about in this context) and have been reluctant to join in any Cascade rides for this reason. I want to get faster, but I have no desire to set myself up to be humiliated if I can avoid it. I currently ride with a group from another club that does a "social" pace (10-13mph average) which is quite comfortable for me, while one of the above mentioned riders said she was accustomed to riding a 12-14 mph pace, and yet she was handily dropped. I'm wondering if I have a CHANCE of keeping up? I am ALOT slower on hills.

any other slow riders out there with positive experiences?

[Susan126]

This is my own personal experience with a cascade ride. Joe and I signed up oh I would say about 3 years ago on one of their rides. We were in pretty good shape but definitely not racing! But this one said it was a moderately paced ride with rolling hills. Stops to regroup and no one left behind. Well I should have had a clue when all these lean skinny guys showed up in sponsor outfits and riding custom beautiful bikes. Hmmmmmm maybe this was just going to be an be an "easy" day ride for them. I should have gone with my first instinct, they were hammering it! Joe and I and 2 others got left in their dust about half way through the ride. We just couldn't keep/maintain the fast pace that they were doing. But like I said this was one particular ride on one particular day. Joe and I have not signed up for a cascade ride since then. But I may have to give them a second chance and maybe this summer try to ride with them again. But I think I'll go for leisurely or social, maybe that will be moderate in my book?!

[MM_QFC!]

Sue, I had a few similar experiences - but way back when I first started riding 10+ years ago; I believe that Cascade has heard and begun to heed the feedback. I have volunteered to help out on plenty of Cascade club events and during the course of working with office staff, board members, ride leaders, exec director, etc, I added my voice to what others shared also, that: when the ride is posted, and the pace is noted along with the regrouping (or not) plans, by the ride leader(s), then they should follow through on that.
I have been assured that Cascade has been and continues to take steps to address all of the concerns and the CTS is a good example of that. IMHO, they have been doing a good job of setting up and trying to control what has been a very large group showing up sometimes. I've seen everything from riders in spiffy kits with high end and custom bikes to first time riders. There is a lengthy explanation of what the Cascade Training Series is, how it's set up, how each rider should come prepared to be able to make minor repairs to themselves or their bikes, have a back-up plan to get home, how to determine which group (pace) to ride with, etc...but it's also been my experience (having volunteered to be a ride leader often) that too many folks just don't read, don't prepare according to the requests, have no idea how their gears work, or how to change a tire, and expect others to either do it for them (their 1st choice!) or to stop riding/leading the group and stay with them, talking them through it step by step and on and on. Those hammerheads are now told to take a cue sheet, but if they ride in front of the ride leader, that they are on their own, as the ride leader rides at the advertised pace, and no one is dropped unless they notify the group that they want to be left to ride on their own.
Is it perfect? No, but there has been honest effort to improve and I've seen and appreciated both the effort as well as the improvement. That being said, it's really a communication thing too. When any rider shows up at a ride start, it's considerate to get there enough ahead of time, so that you are ready to ride out at the appointed time - and not pulling into the parking lot when the group is leaving, etc. It's a great opportunity to learn routes in/around the Seattle area, better bike handling, on-bike signals and communication, riding in a group, meeting and making new ride buddies - all of it.
I'll stop rambling and just encourage anyone who's interested to read the info in the Cascade newsletter or online about the CTS, check out the comprehensive schedule which ramps up the mileage so as to help with meeting a variety of seasonal goals. There's really now a pace and group for every rider, so have fun and enjoy! Along with the Cascade training series, the Seattle Bike club usually has a good variety of rides and even weekend tours/rides on their schedule too.
Mary

[Susan126]

Mary that is good news to hear! Joe and I really felt it that day on that particular ride and we were very discouraged. But if, like you explained, they have listened and the rides posted are the rides to expect I am ecstatic! The funny thing about that ride that Joe and I struggled with is our friend lead it! He called us later that night and asked us what happened! Where did we disappear to? Joe told him, "We disappeared in your dust!" And like I said we have never participated in another club ride. We do participate in their events (love them . . . my favorite being the Kitsap Color Classic!)

Perhaps this summer we will have to try another club ride! I'll let you know how it goes! Thanks for your voice and input to cascade about this issue. I really appreciate it! Now I am actually anxious and curious to sign up for one!

Pedal On!

Sue

[MM_QFC!]

Hey Sue,
I think that you and I have e-talked before about some of Cascade's event rides, right? Chilly Hilly and STP ring a bell with me ...at any rate, it's not to say that it's perfect, but I think it's better. Anytime there is a large group of varying interests/abilities, then it takes communication and cooperation to keep things moving in an improved direction. Since I shared my opinions, I've seen plenty of ride leader training information in the newsletter and see the growth of the training ride series too. All that being said, it's up to each participant to not only cooperate, but contribute to the experience by speaking up if they're not having the "advertised" experience or if they see a rider drafting or trying to form pacelines (supposedly not allowed on these rides, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't happen or that there aren't attempts, right?), riding dangerously or not communicating about stopping or turning, etc...
I hope that you never get "left in the dust" again on any ride - Cascade or not; however, if you do, call or email the office and let them know what happened, so that there is at least a chance of addressing it with the ride leader(s).
Happy trails to all of us!
Mary

[Susan126]

Hey Mary, I think we may have talked! I have done the Chilly Hilly and attempted to do the STP three years in a row but something had always come up that weekend in July. First year it was my parents visit from Pittsburgh! Of all weeks they decided to come that week and I had to show them the sites. My sister came too. The next year my niece got married. She lives in NYC but flew home to Montana for the wedding and we had to go. Last year my husband's family had a huge family reunion in Montana. And of course we had to go to that. I think I'm jinked for the STP so this year I didn't even bother registering instead I am doing the ramrod. I got in by volunteering at last year's ramrod event. But I have done the Chilly Hilly, the Kitsap Color Classic, Flying Wheels, and a Salmon thing 2 or 3 years ago starting from Enumclaw I think?! And I totally enjoyed all of these rides. Oh except that killer climb in the Chilly Hilly! LOL But I made it!

Hey I hope I never get left in the dust either and if so I will say something to the ride leader. After reading your reponse I think cascade is due for a second chance from me. I will do a cascade ride this summer and report back. I hope it will be a better experience this time around.

Cascade is a great organization! They do wonderful things for cyclists and I love them for that. Cascade advocates for cyclists. We need them and I do acknowledge all that they have done.

Again thanks for all your input on this matter! Your efforts are appreciated!

Pedal On!

Sue

P.S. Maybe next year I will try to do the STP . . . four may be my lucky number!

[MM_QFC!]

I agree - Cascade is a good organization and, while I may not choose to do a lot of their daily rides or events very often anymore (had my fill of crowds on bikes and I've done them all multiple times), I renew my membership every year in order to continue to support their outreach and advocacy on my behalf.
When you get right down to it, none of the ride leaders is a salaried employee of the bike club - every bike club like so many other organizations relies on riders who are willing to share their love of riding and knowledge of routes, etc with others, so they are generously volunteering to lead rides and shepherd others along. They're no different than any other rider in the parking lot, save the volunteered-for ride leader responsibilities, so I'm sure that they'd welcome your participation and help at any ride you are interested in joining...have fun!

[lauraelmore1033]

Thanks for the input. Susan, it's good to hear of your experience. I suspect you are in waaaay better shape than I am, so I am inclined to think I will be out of my depth. But then, maybe not, since Mary relates that things are a bit different these days. I am still undecided as to whether I should do it or not (although I need to decide before tomorrow). I definitely need to do some serious training for the RSVP. It wouldn't kill me to be left behind on a training ride either. Come to think of it, one of the fellas who complained about cascade, also complained that OUR group was too fast...

I'll also echo Susan's gratitude to the club as well. Even though I haven't had the courage to show up on the free daily rides, I too have benefitted from Cascade's advocacy, and have enjoyed many organized rides and classes.

[MM_QFC!]

Hey Laura - please don't think that you'll be way out of your element, as Cascade's training series might be ideal for you; it's planned out so as to ramp up so that you get your miles increased with each ride, riding with a group, learning new routes and I'd recommend going! I'm sure you'll do fine and you'll appreciate the benefits for yourself in helping you train for RSVP. That's a beautiful ride and you'll want to be able to ride it w/o a struggle so you can fully enjoy it.
Try out the CTS and let us know how it goes for you, ok?

[auntiebobo]

Laura,

I too would encourage you to go. I'm a newbie and went on two Cascade club rides last year (Newcomers and one of the Brew Pub series) and found the rides to be true to their postings. It was a great chance to meet other riders and learn how to ride in a group. The group stayed together well and stayed at the posted pace. The ride leaders were great.

I had planned to do the first CTS this morning but the rain kept me in. And today I came down with a nasty case of the flu so tomorrow is out as well. But I hope to do next week's ride.

If you go, please give us a report and let us know how it was.

Have Fun!

[Susan126]

Hi Laura, I don’t know about being in better shape (at least these days) but I try. And right now I would have to say that I am out of shape.

I agree with Laura, give the training rides a try and let us know how it goes.

Oh wow you are doing the rsvp this summer?! I have never done that one but I have heard nothing but great things about it. My friend did it 5 years ago and she totally loved it. Again like Mary said, you’ll want to be in great shape for the rsvp so do get out and train! It will be so much more fun and enjoyable when you are in shape for the ride.

[lauraelmore1033]

Thanks for the encouragement. I've missed the introductory rides now--this darn cold I have is taking a long time to go away. I wonder if you can show up for the first training ride without going on the introduction?

[lauraelmore1033]

I just tried the first CTS ride and found it to be just about perfect for me! (That's until we start hitting the serious hills in two weeks, I imagine). Not only that, but I happened to know one of the ride leaders who drops in on my other club's rides quite regularly. I'm really glad I went, and I must say I was really impressed with how well organized and civilized the whole thing was.

I had to laugh, though, when one of the ride leaders began gently harassing me about the "extra" weight of my headlight and handlebar bag. I need to lose about 75 pounds and you're gonna hassle me about 6 ounces of extraneous stuff, buddy?! Too funny.

[MM_QFC!]

Am glad that you had such a good experience; thanks for letting us know...and yeah, just as there is a wide diversity of opinions, experience and interests here on TE, you'll see evidence of the same on local group rides also. Just observe and absorb, try out different tips and tricks so that you learn what'll work for you, so that you can both enjoy your training as well as your event rides.
Have fun!
Mary

[auntiebobo]

Lauraelmore,

I was on the ride Saturday too. Were you in the 'red' group? My friend was also questioned by one of the ride leaders about her empty panniers. Oh well.

It was a good ride and a beautiful day. I was in a light blue almost turquoise jacket on a black/silver Ruby. Are you going on this Sunday's ride?