Thanks for the excellent comment and advice, Cory.
Regarding the ‘B’ ride, we are going to try to keep a steady 30-32 kph pace as a solid, tight group using the social paceline (see the guidelines on this webpage). We will wait for each other after the hills and re-group.
If someone is feeling uncomfortable, hang out at the back and we’ll pull you along. Please let me know before you plan to leave the group and head back (there are several handy cut-out spots along the route).
What to expect when you’re expector”A”ting.
For club members who haven’t tried the Thursday A yet here is a summary on what to expect so no one is surprised or spitting with anger at the end of the night.
Thursday A rides are similar to the Tuesday A (Hammerfest) with the main difference being the consistency of the pace.
The Tuesday A ride ramps up really quickly and stays fast the whole ride. Holding on by the skin of your teeth is often all that can be done.
Thursday’s A ride usually has a slower average but more bursts of speed than Tuesday, often you will find a rider or riders will go off the front showing everyone how great they feel, however these feelings are usually fleeting.
The best option in a large group is to just let people go, then slowly increase the pace and bring them back by rotating and working as a team. Seldom will you see one person ride away from a unified chase group.
Of course if it’s the two fastest riders then it might not be possible to bring them back. But don’t get caught up destroying yourself chasing, use the strength of a group.
Geographical landmarks are a big factor on Thursday A rides, so for example tonight’s ride takes in the scenic “Col de watson” and the fearsome “Watsonberg” two somewhat difficult climbs when ridden fast.
Expect people to go hard on large hills. If you can go with the pace great, working hard on hills is a great way to improve power.
If you know you can’t hold the pace then don’t worry about following wheels, often you will see riders go super fast at the bottom trying to hold a wheel then halfway up sit up and go very slowly to the top. They would’ve gone faster overall if they just went at a good tempo.
For safety reasons If you know you are not having a great night or are tired stay near the back of the group to the far right side of the road before the climb. Doing this allows people in your draft to pass you safely on the left, we don’t want to take up the whole road especially on the watsonberg, or on any road for that matter.
It may be daunting to do the A ride on Thursdays for a new or old member, but keep in mind the B group is following so unlike Tuesday’s A ride, its a good opportunity to get in some really hard efforts without the risk of being left all alone in the middle of nowhere. Just note it might take awhile for the next group to catch you as they start a few minutes later.
Of course the Thursday B ride is certainly a great place to start, with a steady pace, time for conversation and a good focus on group riding dynamics.
Hope to see you out tonight!
Cory
Thank you for the information…my goal will be to ride a Thursday A…for now…I’m happy with the B.
Thanks for the excellent comment and advice, Cory.
Regarding the ‘B’ ride, we are going to try to keep a steady 30-32 kph pace as a solid, tight group using the social paceline (see the guidelines on this webpage). We will wait for each other after the hills and re-group.
If someone is feeling uncomfortable, hang out at the back and we’ll pull you along. Please let me know before you plan to leave the group and head back (there are several handy cut-out spots along the route).
What to expect when you’re expector”A”ting.
For club members who haven’t tried the Thursday A yet here is a summary on what to expect so no one is surprised or spitting with anger at the end of the night.
Thursday A rides are similar to the Tuesday A (Hammerfest) with the main difference being the consistency of the pace.
The Tuesday A ride ramps up really quickly and stays fast the whole ride. Holding on by the skin of your teeth is often all that can be done.
Thursday’s A ride usually has a slower average but more bursts of speed than Tuesday, often you will find a rider or riders will go off the front showing everyone how great they feel, however these feelings are usually fleeting.
The best option in a large group is to just let people go, then slowly increase the pace and bring them back by rotating and working as a team. Seldom will you see one person ride away from a unified chase group.
Of course if it’s the two fastest riders then it might not be possible to bring them back. But don’t get caught up destroying yourself chasing, use the strength of a group.
Geographical landmarks are a big factor on Thursday A rides, so for example tonight’s ride takes in the scenic “Col de watson” and the fearsome “Watsonberg” two somewhat difficult climbs when ridden fast.
Expect people to go hard on large hills. If you can go with the pace great, working hard on hills is a great way to improve power.
If you know you can’t hold the pace then don’t worry about following wheels, often you will see riders go super fast at the bottom trying to hold a wheel then halfway up sit up and go very slowly to the top. They would’ve gone faster overall if they just went at a good tempo.
For safety reasons If you know you are not having a great night or are tired stay near the back of the group to the far right side of the road before the climb. Doing this allows people in your draft to pass you safely on the left, we don’t want to take up the whole road especially on the watsonberg, or on any road for that matter.
It may be daunting to do the A ride on Thursdays for a new or old member, but keep in mind the B group is following so unlike Tuesday’s A ride, its a good opportunity to get in some really hard efforts without the risk of being left all alone in the middle of nowhere. Just note it might take awhile for the next group to catch you as they start a few minutes later.
Of course the Thursday B ride is certainly a great place to start, with a steady pace, time for conversation and a good focus on group riding dynamics.
Hope to see you out tonight!
Cory