type of cyclists in regular social circle

[shootingstar]

The cyclists that I've socialized regularily ...or at least a few times per year both on road and outside of cycling....are long-distance tourers, work commuters and ex-randonneurs. One of these cyclists was a bike courier for a year.

At this time, I haven't clicked yet with a racer or triathlete or duathlete.

I do know several who have done full marathons...2 sisters and a brother-in-law.

I've been cycling nearly past 17 yrs. Since living in Vancouver, I haven't joined any regular cycling group / club since living in Vnacovuer ....and all honesty, right now, I don't want to yet feel hemmed in my personal schedule when my present work commute during week is so time-consuming and I get home late...which leaves only weekend for breathing, creative time to do as I please.

[Zen]

At this time, I haven't clicked yet with a racer or triathlete or duathlete.

Are you looking for someone to click with or is this just a general observation?

[shootingstar]

Just an observation, zen. I'm just curious what other people's cycling social circles are like. Aside from my partner, I don't ride with anyone on a regular basis.

I choose good friends for what they are like as individuals. Cycling is secondary. I enjoy doing at least 1/2 of it on my own. My partner is sometimes too busy with other things/our schedule for the day doesn't jive.

[sundial]

Well, we have a former bi-athlete in our crowd, a wannabe Paris-Brest-Paris rider, another rider with 20+ years experience, and one who was a former runner turned cyclist. It's funny that you mentioned the triathlete type. They tend to shun us too.

[Starfish]

Well, I can't say I have much of a cycling social circle.

One of my best friends races with a team, and I love her to pieces, and we don't ride together (we live in different towns now, and I know I am not at her level, anyhow).

The folks I occasionally ride with locally are IM triathletes (hence the "occasionally"). I can't really keep up. Nice bunch of folks, though.

There is a group that rides in a town about 45 minutes away that I keep telling myself I need to go ride with. Sometime soon I will do that, and we will see who they are and what they're like!

Mostly I ride alone, but I need to change that.

[Melalvai]

Commuters and recreational riders, and I definitely count the bike shop mechanics in my group of friends. Very good friends they are! Some of us are also cycling advocates (go to relevant city council meetings, participate in local advocacy group).

[mimitabby]

none, really. we ride with some nice people but rarely do anything with them that isn't bike related.

[solobiker]

I ride alone most of the time. Occ DH will ride with me. He is much faster then I am going up the hills, but I am quite a bit faster going down them then he is. I have thought about joining group rides but I don't want to be tied down to meeting the group and I also don't want to get in a group that would drop me. I do have 2 women friends that I occasionally will ride with, but they are fair weather riders and they tend to like to ride in the heat of the day which does not work to well for me. Hence my name "solobiker"

[shootingstar]

Strangely the few good friends that I have for the past few years who do cycle regularily ..we actually seldom see each other and now they live in different provinces or cities...that we need to spend focused time for a few hrs. talking to each other when we visit. instead of just being vaguely distracted by cycling and talking on bike.

am the sort of person that just enjoys cycling with other people, but I don't have profound desire to talk much while cycling at a sustained pace. Much rather stop at the end and yak in-depth for hrs.

Maybe that's why my partner and I are compatible in terms of personalities: we are each socialable individuals but don't mind being hermity and doing our own thing for long periods of time.

[Ticia]

My experience so far is that I've gone out with our local "club rides". It all depends on the ride/ride leader and the participants how "social things get". Here is our club description, yet I feel if varies considerably depending on "who" is leading the ride and at what time of the season you ride
These go up on a calendar with maps/cue sheets so you know what you are riding beforehand for the most part.

RIDE RATINGS EXPLAINED

CATEGORY / TERRAIN:
DEFINITION

DESCRIPTION
Flat

No hills, possibly a small climb for a bridge or overpass
Minor Hills

Occasional hills with easy grades
Moderate Hills

Occasional climbs of 1/2 to 1 mile and/or short steep grades
Significant hills

Extended and/or frequent climbs, or very steep climbs


AVERAGE PACE (on flats):

The minimum average riding speed on flat ground with no wind and no drafting. This is not an indication of the average speed for the overall ride but an indicator of the speed that riders should be capable of maintaining on flat portions of the ride. Slower and faster riders are welcome on all rides as long as they are comfortable using a map and fixing a flat tire on their own in case they get separated from the main group.

PACE
SPEED

10-12 MPH


Easy/Beginner. Frequent stops.
12-14 MPH

Social pace. A few stops.
14-16 MPH

Moderate pace
16-18 MPH

Brisk pace
18-20 MPH

Fast pace
20+ MPH

Strenuous pace


GROUP (ride style):

STYLE

DESCRIPTION
Group

No one will be left behind. Assistance with flat tires and other minor mechanical problems. Maps will be provided unless noted in the ride description.
Re-Group

Re-group at specific points on the ride route. Riders will spread out. Assistance with minor mechanical problems may be limited. Ride leader will wait a reasonable time for riders at re-group points. Maps will be provided.
Non-Group

No planned re-group points. Riders will spread out. Riders should be self-sufficient. Maps will be provided.


It has been incredibly helpful for me as a novice to have this info BEFORE charging out there on what I *think* I can do

[shootingstar]

Riding sometimes with at least another person who is better than self, is a good idea. However some people really want to socialize on bike...and I tend not to. I actually find when riders ride-side-by-side alot and talk tons, it annoys me. ...more than the lonely, slow rider struggling along.

I enjoy a group ride with ..essentially strangers...only occasionally. But to do it regularily and just ride wth a bunch of strangers..and often leave at the end of ride....would be a big turnoff to me from cycling.

So that's why I just go with my partner or go alone and get happily buried in my own thoughts and enjoyment of the ride for a few hrs.

I haven't given up on the thought that somewhere there will be a few women that are compatible personality-wise, that I could ride more regularily with for fitness ......when I can rework my schedule more easily later. Right now, it's quite difficult..schedule-wise.

I realize how far away from home I work...Geez, Mount Baker in Washington state looms real close where I work in Canada out in the suburbs!