Learn to Group Ride
The Bare Essentials
What is it? Group Riding Instruction for those new to Group Riding and those new to the club.
What’s it about? If you’re not an experienced group rider this is mandatory to attend.
Where do we meet: Flow State Bike Co., 599 Arkell Rd
When: Learn to Group Ride will be offered weekly on Mondays starting May 6th through June 24th (except Victoria Day, May 20th), then July 8th and 15th. Rides will begin at 6:15PM in May, and at 6:30PM in June and July. But please check the website calendar and the ride postings for any changes to these dates and times. Note that rides will not proceed if less than three people have signed up for them.
Parking: At the Arkell United Church, 600 Arkell Rd
How it will work: Club members requiring instruction will gather in the back parking lot of Flow State Bike Co. and identify themselves to the Learn to Group Ride Instructor. After a chat and some parking lot instruction, riders will follow the Ride Leader on a 37 km route and receive more en route instruction.
Who: You MUST be a GCC member or approved Try-a-Rider to attend.
You must sign-up for the ride in advance. Links to the signup sheets will be posted no later than the day before the ride. Be sure to sign up no later than 3:00 PM on the day that you plan to attend.
More Details
Are you new to Group Riding?
If you are, then you must attend the GCC Learn to Group Ride Clinic before riding any of the club sanctioned rides. It’s also highly recommended if you just need to brush up on a few skills.
Are you new to the club?
All clubs have slightly different ways of doing things. Attending this clinic is a great way to learn the riding culture of GCC.
Not sure if you need this?
If you are at all in doubt, then do it. If you’re an experienced rider with a good understanding of the basics, then you will be group riding the same evening with everyone else once our instructors get a chance to see your skills.
Where does this happen?
Instruction will take place on a pre-determined route that will be available on the GCC web-site.
What is the format?
The Learn to Group Ride clinics are offered in a relaxed, no-stress atmosphere. We will focus on group riding basics, safety, communication, formations, rotations, technique and bike handling skills. There will be discussion, demonstration and practice followed by open road riding working towards riding as a cohesive group.
Things to know ahead of time:
Please read the Safety & Responsibilities page, the Group Riding Skills page and the Social Paceline page.
How fit do I need to be?
This is NOT an intense workout or a difficult ride – but we ask that you have enough experience capable of a 24km/h pace for 1.5 to 2 hours, solo.
What do I need?
You need a road bicycle that is in good working order. Drop bars are preferred. Gravel and Cyclocross bikes are also fine. A good quality helmet must be worn at all times. You should have appropriate clothing for the temperature and weather conditions, enough water to complete the ride and tools and spares to fix a flat. Lights are always suggested for the way home after an evening ride and tail lights are becoming more common during the daytime as well.
Why Group ride?
Riding in a group is social, healthy, fun, more efficient and often safer than solo riding – enjoy the camaraderie and feeling of effortless speed that comes with a finely tuned group ride. Drafting reduces effort by 25 to 40% (or more depending on study) over a rider “in the wind”. The rider(s) at the front work hard for a short time, “pulling” the riders behind, then “rotate” down through the paceline for reduced effort. Also, a clean, disciplined paceline contributes to safer riding. And a good paceline contributes to driver respect for cyclists and makes passing easier and more predictable. It also gives everyone in the paceline a good workout – hard effort, then recovery, repeated, is the fastest way to increased fitness.
Questions?
Contact Sarah, our LTGR Coordinator, by clicking here.
