Bike Noob

Because I'm Always Learning Something New

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Partners

Anticipating a good year

01.28.2009 by Ray Niekamp // 3 Comments

I’ve been  bad lately.  Haven’t been riding much over the past couple of weeks.  When I have ridden, my mileage has been below what my average rides were a couple of months ago.  The one longer ride I took recently showed me just how much my biking fitness has declined.  I’m in a biking slump.

But there are some signs that I’ll be on the rebound soon.  For starters, my bike club had its monthly meeting tonight.  I don’t usually go, but made it a point to be there tonight.  They were collecting our annual dues, and I wanted to make sure I paid up.  Although I haven’t been on a club ride since October, I do like these folks, and do want to continue riding with them.

Turnout was pretty high, both because of the dues thing and because we got our first look at the design for this year’s club jerseys.  And it pleased me to find myself seated at a table with several folks I’ve ridden with a lot on past rides.  David, and Pippa, and Bob, and Debra have all gotten mentions in this blog from time to time.  Anyway, I forget who started the discussion, but we reached a consensus that we’re tired of showing up for club rides and getting left behind by the strong riders (see “ABC” from way back in March).

We had all ridden on “B” rides with each other at various times during last summer, and we decided we had to make the B’s in the club a visible, viable contingent.  One of us proposed that we round up a core of B riders — say, eight or so — who we could count on to be more-or-less regulars on weekend rides.  Then each of us would take a turn as B ride leader.  The idea is, if other slower riders know there will be a group of folks out each week who won’t be keeping a 17 mph average over 45 miles, they will be more likely to show up themselves and grow the ranks.

I’m ready.  I had already decided that I would step up and offer to lead more B rides this year.  It was great to learn that others share my attitude.

A nasty cold snap seems to be easing.  This weekend could be the start of this year’s real riding.

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Categories // clubs Tags // B ride, clubs

Comments

  1. DocDelete says

    January 29, 2009 at 2:51 am

    Good call. There’s enough to dissuade less gung-ho cyclists as it is, without those who are fitter effectively cocking a snook.

    I can understand the need to push on and maintain a speed that benefits the rider’s own physiology, but group rides surely should have a different dynamic. There’s plenty of time for athletic cyclists to do their thing, solo if required. However, participitating in a group ride isn’t merely about tuning a body for high performance: there exists an important social facet too, which shouldn’t be overlooked.

    Organising into groups based on ability is a grand idea, even in small cycling clubs. It reinforces group coherence, and the reduces the likelihood that a slower cyclist may stop attending.

    Reply
  2. rainycamp says

    January 29, 2009 at 8:42 am

    Ah ha! Another example of two countries separated by a common language.
    http://cockingasnook.wordpress.com/cock-a-snook-you-say/

    Reply
  3. mildstallion says

    January 29, 2009 at 8:46 am

    My nasty cold snap should be over any month now 😉

    @Doc: I guess that’s why they call them “group” rides. I never get dropped riding solo.

    @Noob: Thanks for the research, I had no idea what that meant. Sorry, Doc.

    Reply

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Get Email Updates

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 257 other subscribers

Categories

  • Accessories
  • Bike fit
  • Bikes
  • Blogging
  • Books
  • clubs
  • Cold weather
  • Community
  • Commuting
  • Components
  • crash
  • cycling
  • Equipment
  • Favorite rides
  • fitness
  • food
  • guest post
  • Heat
  • Injury
  • logs
  • Maintenance
  • Mental
  • Nutrition
  • Odds 'n ends
  • People
  • Poll
  • Racing
  • Records & stats
  • Review
  • Rides
  • running
  • Safety
  • soreness
  • Specialized
  • Technique
  • Technology
  • Tips
  • tires
  • training
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Partners

Recent Posts

  • Getting Back on the Bike: Road Cycling Tips for Older Cyclists
  • Are BCAAs and EAAs Good for Cycling?
  • How to Fix Numb Toes When Cycling
  • How to Find and Vet a Bike Club
  • Celebrate Pearl Izumi with Big Savings in the Memorial Day Sale

Categories

  • Accessories
  • Bike fit
  • Bikes
  • Blogging
  • Books
  • clubs
  • Cold weather
  • Community
  • Commuting
  • Components
  • crash
  • cycling
  • Equipment
  • Favorite rides
  • fitness
  • food
  • guest post
  • Heat
  • Injury
  • logs
  • Maintenance
  • Mental
  • Nutrition
  • Odds 'n ends
  • People
  • Poll
  • Racing
  • Records & stats
  • Review
  • Rides
  • running
  • Safety
  • soreness
  • Specialized
  • Technique
  • Technology
  • Tips
  • tires
  • training
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized

Archives

  • May 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • March 2022
  • October 2020
  • November 2018
  • May 2018
  • September 2017
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • January 2016
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008

Copyright © 2026 · Modern Studio Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Go to mobile version
%d