Thank you both for your responses, especially Tom. Yes Tom, I do see it valuable to reinforce aspects of the ride clinics on Wed night rides, as these are the group rides they are likely to be in. Agreed, it can’t be the sole responsibility of the leader to be aware of all the nuances in the group, it is up to us the more experienced ones to offer advise. That being said, riders must remain “open” to suggestions and not see it as criticism. It was many years of group riding before I was granted permission to ride at the front. With that came years of advise from more experienced riders. Humbling.
Krysta, were you asking for the ride leaders to reinforce what was on offer at the ride clinics in a brief pre-ride chat? In effect, your suggestion is something that would take little effort, and by having one aspect of group riding stated at the start of every ride there would be a great knowledge-building process for those of us who were unable to attend the ride clinics. The experienced individuals within the group should also feel free to express their perspective in a constructive manner to any other rider as part of a group-learning effort (i.e. not just rely on the ride leaders). These impromptu discussions may also update some comprehension fallacies of road riding, both in respect to lawful operation of a velo-mobile and group dynamics, among the experienced riders in a positive and respectful environment. That being said, much of group riding revolves around the comfort of individual riders in proximity to others at various speeds and conditions. From normally solo riders through to rubbin-racing track/cyclocross racers, the whole gambit of perceived safety and bike control exists when riding in groups. Regardless, it is a good suggestion Krysta – we should all continue to learn, or share good knowledge, and optimize every opportunity to do so. Some Resources (search on google, because links do not seem to post): Group Riding Skills – Tailwind Coaching Podcast Paceline Riding – CyclingSecrets group riding for cycling training Respect Riders as People: a touching way to encourage non-cyclists to be courteous drivers – ‘Beyond the Metal’ video on vimeo
Krysta, were you asking for the ride leaders to reinforce what was on offer at the ride clinics in a brief pre-ride chat? In effect, your suggestion is something that would take little effort, and by having one aspect of group riding stated at the start of every ride would be a great knowledge-building process for those of us who were unable to attend the ride clinics. The experienced individuals within the group should also feel free to express their perspective in a constructive manner to any other rider as part of a group-learning effort (i..e not just rely on the ‘school-marm’ ride leaders). These impromptu discussions may also update some comprehension fallacies of road riding, both in respect to lawful operation of a velo-mobile and group dynamics, among the experienced riders in a positive and respectful environment. That being said, much of group riding revolves around the comfort of individual riders in proximity to others at various speeds and conditions. From normally solo riders through to rubbin-racing track/cyclocross racers, the whole gambit of perceived safety and bike control exists when riding in groups. Good suggestion Krysta – we should all continue to learn, or share good knowledge, and optimize every opportunity to do so. Respect Riders as People – vimeo.com/68102591
hi krysta, thanks for the comments. the club has run a 30 min ride clinic the last 4 weeks on wednesdays to explain just what u commented on. i hope it has worked for the new people. jim To: jimbrogden@hotmail.com
Thanks Jim for organizing the ride. Perfect nite out there. If I could make a comment on these Wed night rides, from what I’ve witnessed, there hasn’t been much talk before the rides on group riding skills. Basic stuff to us whom have done years of it, but not much to newer riders. Things like half wheeling, staying tight when 2 up, being in the proper gear, hill climbing, rotating at the front and not doing this while climbing… Chances are most of these riders have not done the learn to ride that was offered. Most think they know how to ride. It all about safety. It is our responsibility as ambassadors to the sport to encourage good riding technique. Krysta
Thank you both for your responses, especially Tom. Yes Tom, I do see it valuable to reinforce aspects of the ride clinics on Wed night rides, as these are the group rides they are likely to be in. Agreed, it can’t be the sole responsibility of the leader to be aware of all the nuances in the group, it is up to us the more experienced ones to offer advise. That being said, riders must remain “open” to suggestions and not see it as criticism.
It was many years of group riding before I was granted permission to ride at the front. With that came years of advise from more experienced riders. Humbling.
Krysta, were you asking for the ride leaders to reinforce what was on offer at the ride clinics in a brief pre-ride chat?
In effect, your suggestion is something that would take little effort, and by having one aspect of group riding stated at the start of every ride there would be a great knowledge-building process for those of us who were unable to attend the ride clinics.
The experienced individuals within the group should also feel free to express their perspective in a constructive manner to any other rider as part of a group-learning effort (i.e. not just rely on the ride leaders). These impromptu discussions may also update some comprehension fallacies of road riding, both in respect to lawful operation of a velo-mobile and group dynamics, among the experienced riders in a positive and respectful environment.
That being said, much of group riding revolves around the comfort of individual riders in proximity to others at various speeds and conditions. From normally solo riders through to rubbin-racing track/cyclocross racers, the whole gambit of perceived safety and bike control exists when riding in groups.
Regardless, it is a good suggestion Krysta – we should all continue to learn, or share good knowledge, and optimize every opportunity to do so.
Some Resources (search on google, because links do not seem to post):
Group Riding Skills – Tailwind Coaching Podcast
Paceline Riding – CyclingSecrets group riding for cycling training
Respect Riders as People: a touching way to encourage non-cyclists to be courteous drivers – ‘Beyond the Metal’ video on vimeo
Krysta, were you asking for the ride leaders to reinforce what was on offer at the ride clinics in a brief pre-ride chat?
In effect, your suggestion is something that would take little effort, and by having one aspect of group riding stated at the start of every ride would be a great knowledge-building process for those of us who were unable to attend the ride clinics.
The experienced individuals within the group should also feel free to express their perspective in a constructive manner to any other rider as part of a group-learning effort (i..e not just rely on the ‘school-marm’ ride leaders). These impromptu discussions may also update some comprehension fallacies of road riding, both in respect to lawful operation of a velo-mobile and group dynamics, among the experienced riders in a positive and respectful environment.
That being said, much of group riding revolves around the comfort of individual riders in proximity to others at various speeds and conditions. From normally solo riders through to rubbin-racing track/cyclocross racers, the whole gambit of perceived safety and bike control exists when riding in groups.
Good suggestion Krysta – we should all continue to learn, or share good knowledge, and optimize every opportunity to do so.
Respect Riders as People – vimeo.com/68102591
hi krysta,
thanks for the comments. the club has run a 30 min ride clinic the last 4 weeks on wednesdays to explain just what u commented on. i hope it has worked for the new people.
jim
To: jimbrogden@hotmail.com
Thanks Jim for organizing the ride. Perfect nite out there. If I could make a comment on these Wed night rides, from what I’ve witnessed, there hasn’t been much talk before the rides on group riding skills. Basic stuff to us whom have done years of it, but not much to newer riders. Things like half wheeling, staying tight when 2 up, being in the proper gear, hill climbing, rotating at the front and not doing this while climbing… Chances are most of these riders have not done the learn to ride that was offered. Most think they know how to ride. It all about safety. It is our responsibility as ambassadors to the sport to encourage good riding technique.
Krysta