Re: [COWs] ....coWs rides for all? Will it happen for Wilson?

[Bob Luppino]

As a relative newbie to the CoWs scene, I have read this series of postings with great interest.  When I arrived in Wilson last summer, I knew nothing of the routes in the area.  Most of my concerns had to do with areas to avoid for traffic, dogs or other hazards.  Joining in the CoWs group rides have given me a better feel for which roads have more challenges and which roads are great fun with a tailwind, etc.  I too found my first few outings with the group very challenging.  I struggled to hang on to the back of the group and often failed (it is still a challenge).  Fortunately, there was always someone in the group that fell back and led me back to Wilson. I like the idea of having separate rides based on ability, but here's another idea.  Many group rides have a sweeper appointed that will ensure that, if someone drops from the pack, they don't have to finish the ride alone.  This has worked well in my previous groups.  It allows the hammerheads to go off and play and ensures that anyone that can't keep up can drop to a comfortable pace.  The sweeper would need to complete the entire route to ensure that later "dropees" are also picked up for the finish. -----Original Message----- From: david caudle Sent: Feb 3, 2011 10:52 AM To: cyclistsofwilson-cows@googlegroups.com Subject: Re: [COWs] ....coWs rides for all? Will it happen for Wilson? I was out of town yesterday and when I checked my email this morning I had 40 emails most of them from CoWs...wow yall were talkative yesterday. :-)  I'm not about to go back and read all the comments on this post, but I do like the idea of more people getting involved with our group.  I did read Surfdudes and Ronnies post.  I like the idea of A,B,C groups but we do have to have participants from all levels to make this work.  Before moving to Wilson over 2 years ago I had only gone out with a group a few times....I had been riding solo for about 3 years.  It was so nice having the CoWs to ride with and it has really helped my riding ability and I have learned so much more about cycling.    Like most of you I don't get to ride during the week (some Wednesdays if I have time) so I like a nice paced ride on sat and sun.  I'm sure some of you wish the hammerheads would just go out solo because we (yes I'm a hammerhead sometimes lol) break up the group but we are just riding at our level and trying to get a good workout. This is where A,B,C groups would be nice.  I think overall we do a pretty good job of keeping it together.         I was asked the other day while spinning at the Y to start a beginners cycling group for ladies.  I think this is a good idea but not just for ladies...needs to be ladies, men and youth.  Not sure I will have the time to head up this group, but if anyone wants to put it together I would be more then happy to help.    Web-page:  last year someone talked about putting together a CoWs web-page.  This would be a great idea and everyone who has rides mapped could put details on the page.  I have out of towners come in to the Y sometimes asking for routes around the area...how great would it be to send them to our website?  I think this would also be handy for those of us who don't know the area like you "older" CoWs.  I really don't  know where to even begin to start a web-page, but more then happy to help where I can.   Safe riding   DC  From: ssp <surfsalterp...@gmail.com> To: cyclistsofwilson-cows@googlegroups.com Sent: Wed, February 2, 2011 11:00:01 AM Subject: [COWs] ....coWs rides for all? Will it happen for Wilson? .... I have been asked several times from newbies wanting to road bike about the coWs rides.  This group has 144 members, some dups, but still a good size group.  Luckily, w/ some practice and mainly being pulled, encouraged and waited for---- I have been able to participate in the 'fast' group(excuse me while I breathe deep). However,  I am sure there are many other members who have a desire to ride on a regular basis but feel they would not be able to 'keep up.'   I kinda touched on this topic last year about this time and suggested alternatives to offering an option for others to participate during the 'set' timed rides the coWs partake. Ideally,  I think there should be 3  distinct groups based on their  cycling pace/experience: **19+mph/up to 50+miles this would be for the more experienced riders who love the endorphin rush. **14-18mph/~25mile rides for the riders who have invested in a road bike and are setting goals to do triathlons and want a challenge to push their ability levels. **14mph-/~10-20mile rides for those who would just love to go for a bike ride and have a great time w/ friends and family.  Chance to meet other Wilsonians and get some great outdoor exercise.  Who knows this could be the stepping stone to the 19+mph rides! Since we are on the cusp of spring now is the time for discussion to see if there is interest in trying to establish opportunities for more Wilsonians to participate in the coWs regularly scheduled bike rides.  During the ridable months the times in the past have been leaving from the Old Starbucks(osb) Nash St N: sat   8am sun  2pm tues & thurs  ~5:30pm(also stardudes ride from his driveway (16-19mph group) Just thinking out loud, and looking for other ideas to provide other interested cyclist the opportunity to get up and go: **all 3 groups meet and start out from the same location.  Benefit: people get to meet new people.  Then at a certain     spot the groups can split(say hornes church rd) or the pace changes to accommodate the  group pace.  **there should be a kinda leader for each group that knows the back roads of wilson and help the others in that group      learn and improve.  Cole Perry,  comes to mind as a great leader.  He has experience and the desire to ride. **we the more experienced riders should try and encourage others of all levels to show up and help them organize the      rides just based on our cycling knowledge. **last year we had a few more show up but really did not cultivate the opportunity into a doable option for their abilities.    The key to this happening is the other riders have to start posting on this google group and express an interest in the coWs group rides.  If there are coWs members who want to start an exercise routine and usually do not partake, let us know and hopefully the experienced riders can help get more of you involved.  Thanks to will newton for organizing  a Family ride a few times last year.  Great job dude! Last year several of you did and a few came out and rode,  like Cole,  but overall I would say we regular dudes need to do a better job of helping to grow the coWs cycling group...if we want? too.  :)      ....my2cents, and your thoughts? ssp coWs FB page link: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000380673462 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "CyclistsOfWilson-COWs" group. To post to this group, send email to cyclistsofwilson-cows@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cyclistsofwilson-cows+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cyclistsofwilson-cows?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "CyclistsOfWilson-COWs" group. To post to this group, send email to cyclistsofwilson-cows@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cyclistsofwilson-cows+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cyclistsofwilson-cows?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "CyclistsOfWilson-COWs" group. To post to this group, send email to cyclistsofwilson-cows@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cyclistsofwilson-cows+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cyclistsofwilson-cows?hl=en.