Help! Need to ditch slow neighbor! (long-ish)

[Cathy88]

Climbergirl - The Hub Bike Co-op in South Minneapolis has women's group rides, both fast and slow, on Monday nights in the summer. Of course they're over for the season now but here is the text from their event calendar:

Women's rides - Casual and Road
Women's Road Ride-This is a faster-paced road ride of about 15-20 miles at about a 15 mph average speed. We will ride in a single or double pace line on streets and with traffic. The ride will begin and end at 3020 Minnehaha Ave. South in Minneapolis at 6:00 pm, every Monday from April 16th through the end of August.

Women's Casual Ride-This is a causal-paced ride that will use a combination of bike paths and streets. This is suitable for all kinds of bikes (and all kinds of riders!). The ride will begin and end at 3020 Minnehaha Ave. South in Minneapolis at 6:00 pm, every Monday from April 16th through the end of August.

I know what you mean about winter looming (I'm in the Twin Cities too). There are precious few days left!

[climbergirl]

Thanks, Cathy88! I've tried to keep an eye on the TCBC calendar, but I hadn't seen the Hub's calendar (I test rode bikes there, though!) I'd love to meet some other women who ride. Evenings might even work out when the kids don't have school. For now, juggling part time work and family, I usually ride alone during the day and devote evenings to dinner and homework. It's nice because there are fewer cars on the roads mid-morning, but it also means it's REALLY hard to find people to ride with, especially since I don't really know anyone in the first place. :-P

Maybe we'll luck out (for cyclist - not for farmers!) and have another winter like last year. I rode at least once every month.

[OakLeaf]

Wait until you gals retire.

Around here, there are some SERIOUS riders who are also very slow. They're in their late 60s to mid 70s, ride thousands of miles a year, and typically take off for a month-long or longer unsupported bike tour every year or two, at a moving average of 12 mph or slower. I can't ride with them except to start together and maybe they'll have arrived at the restaurant by the time we finish breakfast. But they are real riders and no question about it, and I don't really get the impression they're much slower than they were in their prime. (Not least because there are also some people the same age who can kick my azz.) They just have more time to ride.

[emily_in_nc]

Not everyone is built for speed, and not every bike is built for speed. Having great endurance is something to be proud of too, and I suspect some of you who say you are slow have excellent endurance. There are just so many different kinds of cyclists. On bike club rides, it seemed like I was usually stuck in the middle between the fast riders up front and the slow riders at the back, so I often had to ride alone if I didn't want to go slower than was comfortable for me. The slower riders often had a decent-sized group to ride with. So it's possible that you who consider yourself slow might have some luck if you seek out some group rides...so long as they're not fast, paceline-type rides.

[Norse]

Thanks, Cathy88! I've tried to keep an eye on the TCBC calendar, but I hadn't seen the Hub's calendar (I test rode bikes there, though!) I'd love to meet some other women who ride. Evenings might even work out when the kids don't have school. For now, juggling part time work and family, I usually ride alone during the day and devote evenings to dinner and homework. It's nice because there are fewer cars on the roads mid-morning, but it also means it's REALLY hard to find people to ride with, especially since I don't really know anyone in the first place. :-P

Climbergirl - you might also check out the Hiawatha Bike Club. They offer different levels and seem to have a lot of "older" and retired riders who can do day rides. It would also give you a chance to explore the west metro.

[Trek420]

Women's Casual Ride-This is a causal-paced ride that will use a combination of bike paths and streets. This is suitable for all kinds of bikes (and all kinds of riders!). The ride will begin and end at 3020 Minnehaha Ave. South in Minneapolis at 6:00 pm, every Monday from April 16th through the end of August.

Hey, Climbergirl, Now, that ride sounds promising for your neighbors to gear up for. I hope you'll let them know.

It sure makes winter easier with something to look forward/train for/goal next season. Back when I was in sunny, very hilly California riding with the Velo Girls Club I'd meet some folks at their club rides. We start and end together, my fast friends way ahead during the ride. I'm more the "Where's the hill, point me to the hill, I'll get there" kind of rider. Slow but very strong and steady. Stronger now I think since I lost the 20 lbs or so.