All I can say is it's perfectly good to ride alone. Way back when I rode with some groups that were race oriented and I enjoyed them at the time but I couldn't fathom such these days as I really enjoy riding alone for a multitude of reasons all of which are way beyond the confines of this "group intention". See the parallel with "group rides"? With this group for example I've written and erased more replies than I've actually sent as they either don't fit in the confines of the group or more often the case in forming a opinion/point, I realize whatever importance I had placed on it originally no longer applies, it's as if in acknowledging it , what I thought was the point has disappeared. So whatever goal that may arise as a reason for the ride, I can't hold on to it, it's like a passing cloud. Poof and it's reformed itself into another, and another ... etc.
So what was the reason for this reply again ? Poof ! Ahahahahahahahahaahaaa ! On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 6:38:04 PM UTC-5 Ryan wrote: > Sure...you'll be fine...more than fine, actually. What Paul says about > leaving a ride is good advice and common courtesy especially for a regroup > ride where someone may be charged with sweeping to make sure everyone gets > to the designated stop OK. > > Good luck! > > On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 4:11:19 PM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! > wrote: > >> Paul, this is fantastic advice that I’ve never heard. Ditch? That’s ok? >> Awesome. >> >> I think the 15-18 mph would be my sweet spot. And probably not more than >> 20-30 miles. I don’t have that kind of time anyway. I hope you’re right >> about the fitness of the other riders. I do try to keep in shape; I lift >> weights and do core most days and I also run. I’m used to hills and high >> temps, so maybe that will count for something and help me keep up. >> >> Who knows, maybe people will be really inclusive! If not, I guess I’ll >> find my own way. >> >> On Jan 17, 2022, at 4:34 PM, Paul Clifton <paulgc...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >> >> >> Like most people have said, you may get some looks, but if you ride like >> you know what you're doing, everyone will soften up really quickly. >> >> Groups can all be really different, so if you show up and the vibe's not >> fun - then ditch the ride and go lone wolf and try again when you feel like >> it with a different group. Don't get discouraged if the first group isn't >> for you. I have peeled off after 5 miles so many times it feels like a joke >> now. Whether it's a group I just don't want to stay with or maybe I'm just >> not feeling like doing a climb, I just say "Hey, I'm ditching. Don't worry. >> I know my way home and have tools. Thanks for the ride. I'll see you >> around." Everyone has always said "Have fun, see ya later" and been totally >> cool with it and not offended or anything. >> >> You can almost certainly keep up with any "no-drop" ride. They tend to >> stick to 15-18 mph or slower, with stops to regroup at major turns, if >> needed. They also tend to exist to get newer riders more comfortable with >> group riding, so you're bound to find one you like. I think you'd find an >> average speed of less than 13mph really slow, but that's just a guesstimate. >> >> The training rides and drop rides will frequently post an average speed, >> and if not, someone familiar with the scene will know, but expect 18-20+ >> mph average for roadies on a training ride. >> >> More than likely though, I suspect you'll be surprised at how fit you are >> compared to others on the rides. When you "just ride" most of the time, it >> turns out it keeps you fit enough to keep up with most cyclists. It's only >> the ones who commit themselves to speed and strength that will actually be >> stronger and faster than you, and there really aren't THAT many of those >> guys in any given town. >> >> Everyone else is just riding with more steps (clothes, groups, trackers, >> etc.). >> >> You won't find anything advertised as a "country ride" or whatever >> though. You'll just have to look at route maps and pick something that >> seems appealing. >> >> As for large organized rides - they are usually ride-your-own-ride, and >> you'll meet and cruise with a ton of people over the course of the day. No >> need to worry about the group dynamics as long as you can cover the >> distance in the allotted time. >> >> Paul in AR >> >> P.S. I just call myself a cyclist. Or a cycling enthusiast. That helps >> convince people that I know more about my bikes than they do and that they >> should go on a ride with me and see if it's fun. It's usually fun, except >> when I take roadies on single track - they hate that. :) >> >> >> On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 8:31:09 AM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! >> wrote: >> >>> [image: 0168267B-AB4E-4252-B2D2-09FC827BCB73.jpeg]We recently moved to >>> SW Michigan. I was a total Lone Wolf (borrowing from Eben Weiss, The Bike >>> Snob) in Vegas but I dream of having Real Life Bike Friends here. This List >>> has really been a gift to me, but it has also made me want more: I want >>> REAL people and REAL experiences with them. I have found a shop that hosts >>> rides of various kinds 9 months out of the year. There is hope! >>> >>> The trouble is: I don’t know what I am, and neither does anyone else. >>> >>> I have never done a group ride. I don’t know how fast or slow I am, and >>> I don’t know how far I can go. I don’t know etiquette or what would tick >>> off other riders in the group. (My “group rides” were with my 2 sons on the >>> way to school. And it’s true that you learn a rhythm that works for your >>> group and on the rare occasion my husband got included, he made us all >>> nervous.) I would like to have a good first experience and not be a drag >>> for a group. I think failure would send me right back into Lone Wolfdom. I >>> suppose I will just have to risk it. >>> >>> When I say I ride, everyone thinks Roadie, and then they think of their >>> friend who is also a Roadie and want to plan a meeting for us. Now, I doubt >>> I’m going to keep up with a group of road bikes on my Platypus. When I say >>> I don’t have a road bike, the person will say, “Oh, you like to mountain >>> bike!” When I try to explain, try to say what it is that I ride, I don’t >>> have words. If I admit I don’t have a road bike or mountain bike people >>> assume hybrid bike from big box store = not a serious rider. I don’t know >>> what I am. I don’t know what “we” are. Where do bikes like ours fit? Who do >>> we ride with? >>> >>> In looking at local events online, it seems there are Roadies and there >>> are Gravel Kings (my own term). If I roll up on my fendered, raspberry >>> sparkle Platypus, both groups will be uncomfortable. >>> >>> My shop did mention some community rides, and those I will try, though I >>> suspect they might be short and slow for my taste. There are some very >>> exciting events state-wide here, but they do seem to be geared to road >>> bikers. I admit that I know very little about bike culture here, and >>> talking to real people might open up a lot of possibilities. Where are >>> these people I can talk to?! >>> >>> The locals tell me spring will be here in March. I’ve got 2 months to >>> figure out where I fit, Rivsters. >>> >>> Who can relate? Who has words of wisdom? Who just wants to commiserate? >>> Are we the outcasts of bike culture or are we unicorns? Where are we in the >>> Velotaxonomy? How do we make the cool people take us seriously? Should I >>> buy Lycra? >>> >>> What I wouldn’t give for a couple of RivSisters living locally… >>> Leah >>> >> -- >> >> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the >> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/PPpgoQuIGhk/unsubscribe >> . >> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >> rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >> >> To view this discussion on the web visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/66781318-cfb2-477f-b95c-1f4f35c51d58n%40googlegroups.com >> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/66781318-cfb2-477f-b95c-1f4f35c51d58n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> >> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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