Weekend rides 10/13-14

[Crankin]

We co-led a 38 mile ride in Little Compton, RI, Westport, MA yesterday. Beautiful scenic route with ocean views.
What a group. We had about 20 people of varying abilities, wherein lay the problem. It was the leader's first ride where he had to screen participants, as he had only helped us lead or done show and go rides. I gave him my set of questions and he did pretty well, but didn't follow his instincts with 3 or 4. The majority were fine, but there was a group of 5 or 6 riders who were extremely slow, and more concerning, 2 didn't even know how to shift their bikes. One of these crashed, thankfully, only skinning her knee. DH and I took turns staying off the back, but in the end, he ended up being last, with the 2 or 3 that really needed coaching. I stuck with the few who were just slower. DH ended up teaching one of these ladies how to use her gears, but the other one told him she "couldn't learn after riding for 40 years."
Then there was the guy who came wearing sandals, shorts, and a jersey that was so small on him that it looked like a sports bra, with his huge gut hanging out . It was 42 degrees out and I honestly don't know how he could ride in sandals. I rode behind this guy for quite awhile and his shorts were so worn, there was nothing left to the imagination.
It was still a gorgeous day out, and I did get a workout, despite the fact I probably was riding at 5-10 mph the whole time. Good thing my cue sheet was covering my computer.

[Jo-n-NY]

Oh my! Crankin, I can relate. I have been leading both weekend day rides for the shop my husband works at beginning in April. I ended up making a rule that road bikes are required and a speed of 14-17mph is what we maintain with the exception of hills. We do regroup. It is nerve wracking that someone would join a group ride without being familiar with the bike & changing gears, but that seems to be pretty common I found out. I just recently added a Ladies Social ride for when I come back from the regular group ride on Saturdays for women on hybrid & comfort bikes, which a purchased a Specialized Vita fitness bike with platform pedals so it would be easier for me to keep a slower speed.

There is hope as of this past weekend many of my original group moved up to the A level at my suggestion as I felt I to keep the speed that is advertised I felt my ride was holding them back. I will end the B level ride in mid November to resume next April.

[Crankin]

These rides are more social than traditional bike clubs, but still, this is billed as "intermediate," with an average of at least 13. Problem is, I can tell when someone thinks an average of 13 means moving at 13 and the leader who screened just needs more experience. I've led plenty of these rides where we averaged 14-15.5, with hills. But the AMC is trying to reach out to new people, and it's changed the dynamic. We have slower rides, it's mostly that it's near the end of the season. We got thank you notes from some of the ladies, so I guess it's appreciated. We are doing another ride with this leader, in Nov. so he will get to use his screening skills.
We don't say no hybrids, as some people out ride me on a hybrid.

[withm]

The problem here is that this world is filled with lots of people who don't know what they don't know.

To a new or otherwise uninformed cyclist riding 10mph or riding for an hour or two might be be pretty noteworthy.

Shifting gears? When they learned to ride xxx years ago, they didn't have any gears.

But how will they ever learn this if they don't go on a group ride and learn their shortcomings?

I guess if the ride leader just assumes that there will always be some people that need more attention and lowers his/her expectations, it will be a better experience for all in the long run. The ride leader gets to develop coaching skills, the new rider gets the help he/she might need, the group may develop some new riders.

I am not a fast rider myself but I do make time on occasion to work with new, slower, or just less experienced riders in the hopes of developing future riding partners.

[ny biker]

Screening? I've never heard of this for group rides.

Jo, where do you ride? I know of one group on Long Island that starts in Westbury or Garden City and heads north up to the Oyster Bay/Bayville/Glen Cove area. I borrowed part of their cue sheet once, but was less than thrilled with the traffic and inpatient drivers.

I went for a short ride yesterday (24 miles). I've been totally lacking in motivation for several weeks now, and have had to force myself to get out and ride while the weather is still nice. There were several club rides yesterday morning that would have interested me a couple of months ago, but I couldn't see the point of getting up early and riding in leg warmers and long sleeves knowing that temps would hit 70 later in the day. So I went out on my own in the afternoon and enjoyed myself despite the breezy conditions. I think I'm done with long rides until next spring.

[Jo-n-NY]

I personally don't have a problem showing inexperienced riders the ropes. At first I was ok with the flat bar road bike, but than we were regrouping way too many times. In my case I have to consider the riders that can ride at the advertised pace which like yours turns out to be a 14-15mph average. By constantly having to wait for the others does not make for a fun ride for them.

Up until the days got shorter I began another shorter ride of 14 miles on the day the shop closes early for the riders that could not ride up to speed and for new riders to give then a idea of what our weekend rides are which are but double the mileage. We are slowly trying to have a group for everyone.

When my group rides end next month I offered to work one on one with 2 ladies so by April they should be able to ride with my B group.

[tealtreak]

Crankin- the picture depicted in your original post is too funny......but seriously, are there any more ride leaders so you can break into more groups? Our local big Sat ride often ends up with 4 groups, but they are very lucky to have that many ride leaders......Also, maybe your comic view guy will buy some new clothes before the next ride (:

[Catrin]

Crankin, oh my...though I had to laugh at your description. Hopefully indeed the comic view guy will find some clothing!