Just got back in town to catch this thread. I tend to agree with Ed & Curt and was happy with the pace and distance this past Saturday. I think we all hung together as a group and waited on stragglers while out in the boonies (noone should have to worry about getting dropped out in the middle of nowhere, even with a cue sheet). The last 10 miles or so tends to be back in near civilization and familiar territory for most. The great thing about "chivalrous" group cycling is that reasonably disparate abilities can enjoy a ride together and still get a good workout. Stronger riders (like Rick this past Saturday) have usually taken longer or more pulls, most people feel like they want to do their "fair share", and if someone is feeling like they can't hang on, they shouldn't feel bad about taking a shorter "token" pull or even rotating out before you get to the front (communicating you intent to your partner in a double paceline would be courteous as well). This occurred several times this past Saturday. Btw, I nominate you and Ed to be the official leaders up & down hills respectively. Just kidding, you've done a great job as ride leader.
Just my 8 cents (inflation), Kevin PS - I particularly like the extra 30 minutes of sleep ! -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Itchn2go-Ed Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 8:32 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [Gyros: 13751] Re: last saturday's A- B+ ride reflection--IMPORTANT reading Hal, Thanks for asking the questions. Here are my thoughts (long winded as well). I think this is a great ride and I think the group is stronger than originally thought. This is the second week we averaged 19.2+ and I only heard positive statements. I think the ride specs should be changed to 18.5-19.5 (nothing says we need whole numbers) or just a 19 pace (A- ride). Next year we can start at an 18 pace in April, 18.5 in May, 19 in June (or something similar) since fitness increases. I also think we should keep the Gyro tradition - last 10 miles, every man for himself. Everyone should know where they are by then and we should not hold the strongest back when we are so close to home. Everyone should also have a cue sheet with them at the start of the ride. Maria puts a lot of effort into making these and the minimum every can do is print one out and put it in their pocket just in case (helping with directions would be nice too). It is also a Gyro tradition that we look out for each other and never leave anyone stranded. So I also encourage all of us, not just the ride leaders, to pay attention to each other. If someone is falling off, needs support other riders should help by notifying the ride leader or volunteering to slow down and support that person. The person that is falling off may be fine and willing to ride in alone and can send the individual on with the group; I know I have done this. Everyone should evaluate themselves at the rest stop. If they don't feel they can continue at the pace Maria is behind to pick them up at the rest stop. Regarding the pulls, everyone needs to know that we have different strength people. If you go up to pull don't feel you need to be up there a long time. If 15 seconds is what you feel comfortable with do it and get off. If you want to be up there a one or two minutes do it BUT be sure it will not cause you to blow up and drop off the back. We would rather you do a short pull and stay with the group than a long pull and drop off the back. Don't feel you need to do what the strongest of the group do. I think we need to fine tune the hills - we went up the hills harder than we went down. I noticed people coasting down the hills when pulling. This is a NO NO. Steady effort or equal effort, means it should be as hard to go down the hill as up the hill (fast down and slow up). If we do this everyone will finish together and feel great at the end. We will also eliminate the yo yo effect at the back that can happen and fatigue people quickly. Everyone should also come out with the following supplies: minimum of two bottles of fluid, a saddle pack with tube and Co2 cartridge unless they have a pump and tools to change a tube. Proper dress is also encouraged and appreciated. Shirts should not flap around and shorts should fit properly. Some food is suggested as well. I will not be riding on Saturday since I will be college shopping. Ed -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Hal Marcus Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 7:13 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [Gyros: 13750] last saturday's A- B+ ride reflection--IMPORTANT reading This is long, but important for the future of this ride. >From my perspective it was a great ride and then I thought about it. It was supposed to be in the mid to high 18s and it finished in the mid 19s--5% faster than posted. Some people are out there to push their abilities up to the 18s and that 5% faster would be a killer. At the finish it was obvious that we, I, had dropped a handful--hopefully they were picked up by Maria. At the rest stop no one came to me complaining about the pace, but I, as the leader, did not check with everyone. After the rest stop only about 1/3 of the people were still able to pull--I took that as a sign that people were biking smart and drafting, but maybe I should have seen it as people hanging on for life. After hills, I went to the front to slow the pace down until I heard all back on. I never heard people yelling that they were being gapped or falling off the pace. I thought we were altogether when we hit Old Weaver, but now I doubt it. On the hills of Weaver we broke up--I was not concerned for 2 reasons--it is a gyro tradition to break up towards the end and the stronger riders 'race' in and Ed was back there to help the 2nd group (turns out Tim was also there, but I did not realize that at the time). At the end of Weaver at New Light I was asked if we should hold up--I said no (because of the above reasons)--maybe this isn't a group that should break up at the end. We are a stronger group than I originally had thought we would be--in part this is because several A riders like the 1/2 hour extra sleep and the shorter distance. Also the strong riders that use to go out with the A's and cut it short are now going with us and cutting it short. Starting with about 20 riders with almost 1/2 of them capable of A riding makes it a strong group. We are now riding at last years A pace and we are capable of increasing the speed. As I said, not what I envisioned for this group. Now the question--should we back it down to the high 18's or leave it where it is? Another possibility, when we are a big group, is to split into 2 smaller groups at the rest stop with a secondary leader. This is a club that is designed to serve all riding levels, not just the A's. Opinions before we post next Saturday's ride. Hal Marcus Pro-Active Management A Profit Enhancement Organization 8125 Glenbrittle Way Raleigh, NC 27615 Cell 919-395-9989 Office 919-845-2478 [email protected] No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.392 / Virus Database: 270.13.50/2296 - Release Date: 08/11/09 06:10:00 --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you foolishly subscribed to the Gyro email group. To post useless drivel to this group, send an email to [email protected] To unsubscribe, send an email to [email protected] We love reading 3000 line messages so please don't bother trimming your replies. -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
