I am going on the "Ladies slow ride" listed tomorrow. I REALLY wish the organizer called it something else, but it isn't a hill worth dying for. It is F L A T course and the group rides every Saturday. The average speed is right around 15 mph. The other ride does have some hills.

I quote from the email I receive:

Hi Cyclists,
Last week we had three good rides with a lot of participation. Saturday we had 22 men and 8 women on the West Mountain rides. Thanks to all for your participation and cooperation with the format... you are great to ride with.

Next week we will try some of the suggestions that I've heard lately. The weekday rides will remain the same. On Saturday we will have three groups at the Springville-West Mountain routes. The "Ladies Slow Ride" will be for those who want to average under 15 MPH and they will take the 32 mile route that stays on the East side of the mountain. The faster group will split into two sets. Cyclists who can average over 20 MPH will stay together as a group and Cyclists who want to average between 15 and 20 will be a separate set. If you are not sure which group you want to be in, we will use the first 10-mile segment to determine your group. All three groups will regroup together at the 10-mile point. By then each rider should know which group fits their ability and desired ride for the day. Keep in mind that the first 10-mile segment is all slightly downhill so your average at that point will most likely be higher than you will be able to maintain the rest of the ride.


Saturday, April 28, 2007: Ladies Slow Ride (Average speed less than 15 MPH) 32 miles, Springville - East Side of West Mountain: Meet at the Sinclair Gas Station on the West side of I-15 Exit 260 This will be a 32 mile loop. Be ready to ride at 9:00 a.m. SHARP! The Club Ride Format will apply. See Route Map Notice that you can print a "Cue Sheet" at the Bikely web site by clicking on "Show" on the left side of the page near the top, that gives you the option of Whole Route, Elevation Profile, and Cue Sheet. Also you can zoom in and out to see very detailed parts of the route. It gives the options of street map, satellite, or Hybrid to view the route. This site is a ride leaders dream. There are no excuses to get lost anymore.... Please study the map and print the cue sheet if you are not familiar with this route.



Saturday, April 28, 2007: (47 miles, Springville - West Mountain (This ride will split into two groups. Those who average 20+ MPH and group 2 will those who average 15-19 MPH) Meet at the Sinclair Gas Station on the West side of I-15 Exit 260 This will be a 47 mile loop. Be ready to ride at 9:00 a.m. SHARP! The Club Ride Format will apply to both groups. See Route Map Notice that you can print a "Cue Sheet" at the Bikely web site by clicking on "Show" on the left side of the page near the top, that gives you the option of Whole Route, Elevation Profile, and Cue Sheet. Also you can zoom in and out to see very detailed parts of the route. It gives the options of street map, satellite, or Hybrid to view the route. This site is a ride leaders dream. There are no excuses to get lost anymore.... Please study the map and print the cue sheet if you are not familiar with this route. It is the same as we have been doing last Fall and this Spring.


Club ride format: The route will be divided into segments (by distance and/or by landmarks) designated by the ride leader at the start of the ride. All riders start together and each person goes at a pace of their choice. At the end of the segment all riders turn around and ride back to the last rider (who will give them the Turn Around Signal) and then stay with the last rider until the beginning of the next segment. This puts the group back together before the start of the each segment. All riders will be given a break for food and drink before starting the next segment. The same process is repeated for each segment. It is very important that when the fastest riders go back to meet the last rider that they ALL ride together to the beginning of the next segment. As the group grows larger with riders coming back it will give a draft for slower riders and all can practice paceline riding. Some riders who reach the end of a segment may wish to rest rather than ride backwards to meet the others but everyone must be together at the beginning of the next segment. Riders who DO NOT intend to finish all segments MUST inform the group when and where they will drop out. The last rider MUST know that he/she is last and MUST give the turn-a-round signal to the faster riders coming back to meet them. All riders should know the number of participants in the group. If bike trouble or flats occur in one of the segments the group will know and will be able to assist. All participants must be accounted for before proceeding to the next segment.
Objectives of this Club ride format: > Accommodate the wide spectrum of riders in the club. > Let beginners and slower riders know they are welcome and will not "be holding anyone back" nor will they be left alone for the whole ride. > Faster riders will go for a longer distance with harder riding and no waiting for others. > Give everyone group riding experience. > Be able to account for all riders. > Group can assist with mechanical or tire trouble and riders will not be left alone with a problem. > Ride leader can be better able to account for participants.