Re: [RBW] Re: Velotaxonomy: What are we, anyway?

[Eric White]

Just mentioning this local ride from Madison, WI that might be inspiration
for the sort of thing Leah and others are looking for -
https://monday40.com/

I'm sad to say I have never joined them for a ride but it looks like a
great group of folks and it's a goal of mine to join them for rides in
2022.

Eric

On Tue, Jan 18, 2022 at 4:32 PM Joe Bernard  wrote:

> After all this time watching (and contributing silliness to) this thread,
> I still don't know what we are. Shortly after I picked up my custom someone
> asked me what kind of bike I got and I said road bike. Because I had it
> designed to be lightish and zippy on the road; no hardcore trail riding, no
> touring loads. But when you look at it there's high Billie Bars and a
> droptube Platypus-style and does not say "road bike" to anyone asking that
> question!
>
> So I ride my Rivendell in town and when people ask me what kind of riding
> I do they get a whole paragraph 路
>
> Joe Bernard
>
> On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 6:31:09 AM UTC-8 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
>>
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Re: [RBW] Re: Velotaxonomy: What are we, anyway?

[Miles]

Leah! Others have expressed good suggestions to your question but I wanted 
to add my two cents, and mainly some encouragement!
First, I have no doubt you will eventually find some people you like riding 
with. Might be a little tougher out there in Michigan (former Michigander 
here) than it is on the California coast, but as others have stated, you’re 
in a prime position to be an ambassador for the type of riding you’re 
trying to do. I’m fortunate that many of my riding friends here are open to 
all sorts of excursions: road, fixed gear, mountain bike, you name it. Yet 
with the exception of Jared and Ariel, (hi guys) I’m the only one riding a 
Riv in some of these situations. Fun people will love your bikes and be 
impressed that they’re your tool of choice. People who scoff aren’t really 
people I want to befriend anyway. 
My initial concern was that you’d accidentally join a group that doesn’t 
match your level of fitness. As others have observed, you’ll easily be able 
to keep up with any casual/spirited ride. Knowing your average mph from 
your rides is a helpful way to narrow down what existing group ride could 
work for you.
But! My experience has shown me that if you plan a ride that has some kind 
of peripheral non-riding activity involved (riding to food/beer is always 
easy) you’ll draw some of the ‘quirky’ cyclists out of the woodwork. 
Getting creative is the key: riding to an estuary for bird watching, riding 
to a park with snacks for a picnic, planning a full moon ride to check out 
an interesting old structure, who knows? When I make my riding fun-centric, 
people seem to appreciate that. The focus becomes the people you’re with 
and the experiences you share. When I ride in groups that’s my priority; 
that everyone is having a good time. To that end, I usually outline terrain 
and general pace when announcing the ride, so people know what to expect 
and feel comfortable. 

Reading your posts and seeing your bikes, I have no doubt the people who 
will have the privilege of riding with your will want to continue to do so. 
I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes!

On Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 1:31:47 AM UTC-8 John Rinker wrote:

> Leah,
>
> Though this doesn't help with finding a group, as to your quandary 
> regarding our place in the velotaxonomy, I'm with rmrose in that we are 
> perhaps a breed apart. In some way, that's part of the charm. 
>
> Usually when people learn that I cycle (and rinse) they inquire, "What 
> kind of bike do you ride (implying road or mountain)?", I usually say, 'I'm 
> a Riv rider.' This often opens the door for interesting bike/cycling 
> conversations.
>
> I just love it when people tilt their head at my down tube and read 
> 'Hunqapillar' out loud.
>
> Cheers, John 'We don't need no stinkin' labels' Rinker
>
> On Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 11:36:39 AM UTC+9 JAS wrote:
>
>> Joe, I love this "All-Rounder" idea because they're all such versatile 
>> bikes.  Actually, most people don't seem to care what I'm riding and 
>> frankly, I don't care what they think.  If I'm riding and having fun, 
>> that's what counts.  My bikey friends are very good at "oohing and ahhing" 
>> with me over the beautiful details when the bikes are new, then it's old 
>> news and we just ride to get coffee, explore the rail-to-trail, zip around 
>> the campground or cruise down the beach road.  My list includes Clem:  
>> shopping and trail All Rounder, Platy:  go fast and rainy day All Rounder, 
>> Bike Friday:  Touring  and paved trail All Rounder.  That's it!  Just ride!
>>
>> Cheers to all the RivSisters and RivBrothers!
>> -Joyce
>>
>> On Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 6:07:40 PM UTC-8 Joe Bernard wrote:
>>
>>> "This is my go-fast All Rounder, and this is my shopping All Rounder. Oh 
>>> this one? That's my weekend All Rounder!" 
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 6:04:30 PM UTC-8 Bicycle Belle Ding 
>>> Ding! wrote:
>>>
 We need several All Rounders for the All Arounding we’re always doing. 
 Duh. 

 On Jan 18, 2022, at 8:54 PM, Jason Fuller  wrote:

 

 I tend to refer to the type of bike my Rivendells are as an 
 "all-rounder" when asked. Of course that then begs the question why I need 
 several of them... 


 On Tue, Jan 18, 2022 at 3:32 PM Doug H.  wrote:

> It reminds me of shoes. What kind of shoes are you wearing? Walking, 
> running, tennis, track, etc. I'm just wearing shoes to go mobile. I'm 
> just 
> riding my bicycle and it is a ride bike!
> Doug
>
> On Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 5:32:47 PM UTC-5 Joe Bernard wrote:
>
>> After all this time watching (and contributing silliness to) this 
>> thread, I still don't know what we are. Shortly after I picked up my 
>> custom 
>> someone asked me what kind of bike I got and I said road bike. Because I 
>> had it designed to be lightish and zippy on the road; no hardcore trail 
>> 

Re: [RBW] Re: Velotaxonomy: What are we, anyway?

[John Rinker]

Leah,

Though this doesn't help with finding a group, as to your quandary 
regarding our place in the velotaxonomy, I'm with rmrose in that we are 
perhaps a breed apart. In some way, that's part of the charm. 

Usually when people learn that I cycle (and rinse) they inquire, "What kind 
of bike do you ride (implying road or mountain)?", I usually say, 'I'm a 
Riv rider.' This often opens the door for interesting bike/cycling 
conversations.

I just love it when people tilt their head at my down tube and read 
'Hunqapillar' out loud.

Cheers, John 'We don't need no stinkin' labels' Rinker

On Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 11:36:39 AM UTC+9 JAS wrote:

> Joe, I love this "All-Rounder" idea because they're all such versatile 
> bikes.  Actually, most people don't seem to care what I'm riding and 
> frankly, I don't care what they think.  If I'm riding and having fun, 
> that's what counts.  My bikey friends are very good at "oohing and ahhing" 
> with me over the beautiful details when the bikes are new, then it's old 
> news and we just ride to get coffee, explore the rail-to-trail, zip around 
> the campground or cruise down the beach road.  My list includes Clem:  
> shopping and trail All Rounder, Platy:  go fast and rainy day All Rounder, 
> Bike Friday:  Touring  and paved trail All Rounder.  That's it!  Just ride!
>
> Cheers to all the RivSisters and RivBrothers!
> -Joyce
>
> On Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 6:07:40 PM UTC-8 Joe Bernard wrote:
>
>> "This is my go-fast All Rounder, and this is my shopping All Rounder. Oh 
>> this one? That's my weekend All Rounder!" 
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 6:04:30 PM UTC-8 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> We need several All Rounders for the All Arounding we’re always doing. 
>>> Duh. 
>>>
>>> On Jan 18, 2022, at 8:54 PM, Jason Fuller  wrote:
>>>
>>> 
>>>
>>> I tend to refer to the type of bike my Rivendells are as an 
>>> "all-rounder" when asked. Of course that then begs the question why I need 
>>> several of them... 
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tue, Jan 18, 2022 at 3:32 PM Doug H.  wrote:
>>>
 It reminds me of shoes. What kind of shoes are you wearing? Walking, 
 running, tennis, track, etc. I'm just wearing shoes to go mobile. I'm just 
 riding my bicycle and it is a ride bike!
 Doug

 On Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 5:32:47 PM UTC-5 Joe Bernard wrote:

> After all this time watching (and contributing silliness to) this 
> thread, I still don't know what we are. Shortly after I picked up my 
> custom 
> someone asked me what kind of bike I got and I said road bike. Because I 
> had it designed to be lightish and zippy on the road; no hardcore trail 
> riding, no touring loads. But when you look at it there's high Billie 
> Bars 
> and a droptube Platypus-style and does not say "road bike" to anyone 
> asking 
> that question! 
>
> So I ride my Rivendell in town and when people ask me what kind of 
> riding I do they get a whole paragraph 路
>
> Joe Bernard
>
> On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 6:31:09 AM UTC-8 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 
>> 

Re: [RBW] Re: Velotaxonomy: What are we, anyway?

[JAS]

Joe, I love this "All-Rounder" idea because they're all such versatile 
bikes.  Actually, most people don't seem to care what I'm riding and 
frankly, I don't care what they think.  If I'm riding and having fun, 
that's what counts.  My bikey friends are very good at "oohing and ahhing" 
with me over the beautiful details when the bikes are new, then it's old 
news and we just ride to get coffee, explore the rail-to-trail, zip around 
the campground or cruise down the beach road.  My list includes Clem:  
shopping and trail All Rounder, Platy:  go fast and rainy day All Rounder, 
Bike Friday:  Touring  and paved trail All Rounder.  That's it!  Just ride!

Cheers to all the RivSisters and RivBrothers!
-Joyce

On Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 6:07:40 PM UTC-8 Joe Bernard wrote:

> "This is my go-fast All Rounder, and this is my shopping All Rounder. Oh 
> this one? That's my weekend All Rounder!" 
>
>
>
> On Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 6:04:30 PM UTC-8 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> We need several All Rounders for the All Arounding we’re always doing. 
>> Duh. 
>>
>> On Jan 18, 2022, at 8:54 PM, Jason Fuller  wrote:
>>
>> 
>>
>> I tend to refer to the type of bike my Rivendells are as an "all-rounder" 
>> when asked. Of course that then begs the question why I need several of 
>> them... 
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Jan 18, 2022 at 3:32 PM Doug H.  wrote:
>>
>>> It reminds me of shoes. What kind of shoes are you wearing? Walking, 
>>> running, tennis, track, etc. I'm just wearing shoes to go mobile. I'm just 
>>> riding my bicycle and it is a ride bike!
>>> Doug
>>>
>>> On Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 5:32:47 PM UTC-5 Joe Bernard wrote:
>>>
 After all this time watching (and contributing silliness to) this 
 thread, I still don't know what we are. Shortly after I picked up my 
 custom 
 someone asked me what kind of bike I got and I said road bike. Because I 
 had it designed to be lightish and zippy on the road; no hardcore trail 
 riding, no touring loads. But when you look at it there's high Billie Bars 
 and a droptube Platypus-style and does not say "road bike" to anyone 
 asking 
 that question! 

 So I ride my Rivendell in town and when people ask me what kind of 
 riding I do they get a whole paragraph 路

 Joe Bernard

 On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 6:31:09 AM UTC-8 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 

Re: [RBW] Re: Velotaxonomy: What are we, anyway?

[Joe Bernard]

"This is my go-fast All Rounder, and this is my shopping All Rounder. Oh 
this one? That's my weekend All Rounder!" 



On Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 6:04:30 PM UTC-8 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> We need several All Rounders for the All Arounding we’re always doing. 
> Duh. 
>
> On Jan 18, 2022, at 8:54 PM, Jason Fuller  wrote:
>
> 
>
> I tend to refer to the type of bike my Rivendells are as an "all-rounder" 
> when asked. Of course that then begs the question why I need several of 
> them... 
>
>
> On Tue, Jan 18, 2022 at 3:32 PM Doug H.  wrote:
>
>> It reminds me of shoes. What kind of shoes are you wearing? Walking, 
>> running, tennis, track, etc. I'm just wearing shoes to go mobile. I'm just 
>> riding my bicycle and it is a ride bike!
>> Doug
>>
>> On Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 5:32:47 PM UTC-5 Joe Bernard wrote:
>>
>>> After all this time watching (and contributing silliness to) this 
>>> thread, I still don't know what we are. Shortly after I picked up my custom 
>>> someone asked me what kind of bike I got and I said road bike. Because I 
>>> had it designed to be lightish and zippy on the road; no hardcore trail 
>>> riding, no touring loads. But when you look at it there's high Billie Bars 
>>> and a droptube Platypus-style and does not say "road bike" to anyone asking 
>>> that question! 
>>>
>>> So I ride my Rivendell in town and when people ask me what kind of 
>>> riding I do they get a whole paragraph 路
>>>
>>> Joe Bernard
>>>
>>> On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 6:31:09 AM UTC-8 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

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Re: [RBW] Re: Velotaxonomy: What are we, anyway?

[Leah Peterson]

We need several All Rounders for the All Arounding we’re always doing. Duh. 

> On Jan 18, 2022, at 8:54 PM, Jason Fuller  wrote:
> 
> 
> I tend to refer to the type of bike my Rivendells are as an "all-rounder" 
> when asked. Of course that then begs the question why I need several of 
> them... 
> 
> 
>> On Tue, Jan 18, 2022 at 3:32 PM Doug H.  wrote:
>> It reminds me of shoes. What kind of shoes are you wearing? Walking, 
>> running, tennis, track, etc. I'm just wearing shoes to go mobile. I'm just 
>> riding my bicycle and it is a ride bike!
>> Doug
>> 
>>> On Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 5:32:47 PM UTC-5 Joe Bernard wrote:
>>> After all this time watching (and contributing silliness to) this thread, I 
>>> still don't know what we are. Shortly after I picked up my custom someone 
>>> asked me what kind of bike I got and I said road bike. Because I had it 
>>> designed to be lightish and zippy on the road; no hardcore trail riding, no 
>>> touring loads. But when you look at it there's high Billie Bars and a 
>>> droptube Platypus-style and does not say "road bike" to anyone asking that 
>>> question! 
>>> 
>>> So I ride my Rivendell in town and when people ask me what kind of riding I 
>>> do they get a whole paragraph 路
>>> 
>>> Joe Bernard
>>> 
 On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 6:31:09 AM UTC-8 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
 wrote:
 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
>> 
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Re: [RBW] Re: Velotaxonomy: What are we, anyway?

[Jason Fuller]

I tend to refer to the type of bike my Rivendells are as an "all-rounder"
when asked. Of course that then begs the question why I need several of
them...


On Tue, Jan 18, 2022 at 3:32 PM Doug H.  wrote:

> It reminds me of shoes. What kind of shoes are you wearing? Walking,
> running, tennis, track, etc. I'm just wearing shoes to go mobile. I'm just
> riding my bicycle and it is a ride bike!
> Doug
>
> On Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 5:32:47 PM UTC-5 Joe Bernard wrote:
>
>> After all this time watching (and contributing silliness to) this thread,
>> I still don't know what we are. Shortly after I picked up my custom someone
>> asked me what kind of bike I got and I said road bike. Because I had it
>> designed to be lightish and zippy on the road; no hardcore trail riding, no
>> touring loads. But when you look at it there's high Billie Bars and a
>> droptube Platypus-style and does not say "road bike" to anyone asking that
>> question!
>>
>> So I ride my Rivendell in town and when people ask me what kind of riding
>> I do they get a whole paragraph 路
>>
>> Joe Bernard
>>
>> On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 6:31:09 AM UTC-8 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
>>>
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Re: [RBW] Re: Velotaxonomy: What are we, anyway?

[Bill Lindsay]

Leah

I was out in Wayne County in the first few days of December and did not 
ride at all.  The month prior (November) the highs got to ~40F and it was 
pleasant riding.  I skipped my January visit due to my hand surgery which 
you know about.  I'm going again the week of 1/31 through 2/3, most 
likely.  I have two bikes that live in my office in Michigan: a Rivendell 
Sam Hillborne, and a Crust Florida Man.  

BL in EC
On Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 9:53:53 AM UTC-8 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> Bill, APPROVE!
>
> I’d love to do a ride - not a metric century or any of that other crazy 
> stuff you’re always doing. Take it easy on me; I’ve been Lone Wolfing it my 
> whole life so who knows if I’m a good companion. I can be flexible about 
> where to meet. 
>
> I’d have to see how we could make you an honorary RivSister…where is your 
> Platypus? Do you even have a mixte?  Sigh. We’ll figure something out. 
> Seriously though, which bike do you ride in Michigan? And are you riding in 
> this weather? 
>
> Looking forward to it,
> Leah
>
> On Jan 18, 2022, at 12:05 PM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>
> Leah
>
>
> As I think you know, I'm in South East Michigan for a week every month, 
> and I Lone Wolf my way around Wayne and Washtenaw counties a fair bit.  
> Maybe if one of these work trips wrap around a weekend we can do a ride in 
> Jackson?  You'd have to make me an honorary RivSister.  I assume you don't 
> make it as far as Ann Arbor?  My home base is Livonia.  
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
> On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 6:31:09 AM UTC-8 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
>>
> -- 
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Re: [RBW] Re: Velotaxonomy: What are we, anyway?

[Leah Peterson]

Bill, APPROVE!

I’d love to do a ride - not a metric century or any of that other crazy stuff 
you’re always doing. Take it easy on me; I’ve been Lone Wolfing it my whole 
life so who knows if I’m a good companion. I can be flexible about where to 
meet. 

I’d have to see how we could make you an honorary RivSister…where is your 
Platypus? Do you even have a mixte?  Sigh. We’ll figure something out. 
Seriously though, which bike do you ride in Michigan? And are you riding in 
this weather? 

Looking forward to it,
Leah

> On Jan 18, 2022, at 12:05 PM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:
> 
> Leah
> 
> As I think you know, I'm in South East Michigan for a week every month, and I 
> Lone Wolf my way around Wayne and Washtenaw counties a fair bit.  Maybe if 
> one of these work trips wrap around a weekend we can do a ride in Jackson?  
> You'd have to make me an honorary RivSister.  I assume you don't make it as 
> far as Ann Arbor?  My home base is Livonia.  
> 
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
> 
>> On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 6:31:09 AM UTC-8 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>> 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
> 
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Re: [RBW] Re: Velotaxonomy: What are we, anyway?

['Tom M' via RBW Owners Bunch]

My wife and I usually rode together, but when I was recovering from 
shoulder surgery, she joined a couple of meetup groups in our area. One 
thing one of her rides did was to have a turnaround time. So basically, you 
could ride at whatever pace you wanted, with whomever you wanted, but at a 
certain point you turned around. That way everyone met up at the designated 
spot at the same time. No one felt pressured to ride at a certain pace, but 
people who wanted to ride at the seam pace could ride together. So meetup 
groups might be what you're looking for.
Tom in Alexandria, VA

On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 5:04:06 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> Ian and John - there’s an app for this? Will investigate! I didn’t even 
> know a MeetUp Group was a bike group. Never heard of it. Thanks!
>
> On Jan 17, 2022, at 12:57 PM, Ian A  wrote:
>
> You might be able to find a MeetUp Group or Touring Cyclist  style group 
> , neither tend to be competitive. Randonneur clubs often have a Populaire 
> which is typically a full day style 100km (60mile) ride and every type of 
> rider shows up to those, even parent/child tandem riders and it is a lot of 
> fun.
>
>
> If there is no MeetUp Group on your area or nothing that is what you are 
> looking for, there is an opportunity to start one and see how it goes. When 
> I lived in Vancouver, I started group riding with a MeetUp Group on 
> Saturdays and it was fun for a while. Then I found the BC Randonneurs and 
> that was fantastic until I rode off to Tierra del Fuego. Distance riding 
> got under my skin!
>
> IanA (back north in) Alberta Canada 
>
> On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 7:31:09 AM UTC-7 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
>>
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>
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> 

Re: [RBW] Re: Velotaxonomy: What are we, anyway?

[Joe Bernard]

"What I've learned from this is I probably can't keep up with Leah!"

Dude if I ever show up for a group ride with the Killer Hill Crusher I'm 
not even pretending. I'm bringing an ebike! 

Joe "I'm gonna need a little assistance here" Bernard
On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 5:19:35 PM UTC-8 Jason Fuller wrote:

> What I've learned from this is I probably can't keep up with Leah!  
>
>
>
>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Velotaxonomy: What are we, anyway?

[Leah Peterson]

Garth: It is perfectly good to ride alone. But I’m tired of ONLY riding alone. 
I would really like to share some experiences with like-minded folks; I just 
didn’t think it would be this hard to find them. There’s something about shared 
adventures and then the fun of rehashing them with your friends again later. 
2020 has intensified the desire for me. Plus, I have so much to learn! A group 
of bikey friends would be great for me.

Jason: Lies! I’ve seen your mileage and your terrain. I’m never, ever riding 
with you! You’d drop me!

> On Jan 17, 2022, at 7:47 PM, Garth  wrote:
> 
> 
> 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  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 

Re: [RBW] Re: Velotaxonomy: What are we, anyway?

[Jason Fuller]

What I've learned from this is I probably can't keep up with Leah!  




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Re: [RBW] Re: Velotaxonomy: What are we, anyway?

[Garth]

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  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 

Re: [RBW] Re: Velotaxonomy: What are we, anyway?

[Ryan]

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  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 

Re: [RBW] Re: Velotaxonomy: What are we, anyway?

[Leah Peterson]

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  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:
>> 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 

Re: [RBW] Re: Velotaxonomy: What are we, anyway?

[Leah Peterson]

Ian and John - there’s an app for this? Will investigate! I didn’t even know a 
MeetUp Group was a bike group. Never heard of it. Thanks!

> On Jan 17, 2022, at 12:57 PM, Ian A  wrote:
> 
> You might be able to find a MeetUp Group or Touring Cyclist  style group , 
> neither tend to be competitive. Randonneur clubs often have a Populaire which 
> is typically a full day style 100km (60mile) ride and every type of rider 
> shows up to those, even parent/child tandem riders and it is a lot of fun.
> 
> If there is no MeetUp Group on your area or nothing that is what you are 
> looking for, there is an opportunity to start one and see how it goes. When I 
> lived in Vancouver, I started group riding with a MeetUp Group on Saturdays 
> and it was fun for a while. Then I found the BC Randonneurs and that was 
> fantastic until I rode off to Tierra del Fuego. Distance riding got under my 
> skin!
> 
> IanA (back north in) Alberta Canada 
> 
>> On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 7:31:09 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>> 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
> 
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Re: [RBW] Re: Velotaxonomy: What are we, anyway?

[Leah Peterson]

Ryan - I hope they can overlook the mixte frame and sweepy bars and admire the 
bike, I really do. Maybe change their minds when they see what a great bike it 
is and that it isn’t slow. I am used to punishing hills and triple digit temps, 
and I hope that counts for something and gives me some advantage for keeping up 
on a heavier bike if I try one of these rides.

Group rides. I am getting the feeling from the many responses I’ve received 
that asking to go on a “Group Ride” might equate to peloton or race or club 
ride. I might be using the wrong term. I just mean getting a group of people 
together on a route. And not to do it in as little time as possible. I would 
love a destination - coffee or lunch - and that might be something I do have to 
organize. It might not exist. And what would it be called???

Leah

> On Jan 17, 2022, at 12:45 PM, Ryan  wrote:
> 
> What I think, Leah
> 
> You'll find your people, I'm sure...yeah, just check out local rides and see 
> what you think. Probably first on your hit-list is a good, local LBS 
> 
> I wouldn't lose any sleep  over what the cool kids think. You're a bike rider 
> and I think your Platypi will draw lots of admirers...and since you are very 
> fit and athletic, it wouldn't surprise me if you drop a few of the kitted-out 
> wannabees...if that means anything to you
> 
> My .002 from 50+ years of riding with not a smidge of racing
> 
> Ryan in Winnipeg
> 
>> On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 11:13:57 AM UTC-6 george schick wrote:
>> Leah wrote:  "...The locals tell me spring will be here in March. I’ve got 2 
>> months..."  I don't want to throw a wet blanket on any enthusiasm here, but 
>> I wouldn't necessarily get my hopes to fired up about that date.  True, 
>> "meteorological" Spring begins March 1st, but we've had some really nasty, 
>> snowy weather during that month in these parts of the Midwest in recent 
>> years.  So you may have more time to figure it out after all.
>> 
>>> On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 8:31:09 AM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>>> wrote:
>>> 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 

Re: [RBW] Re: Velotaxonomy: What are we, anyway?

[Leah Peterson]

Tom - how fascinating. So glad to hear you’re starting a country bike group - 
that’s a thread I would be most interested to read if you will post it. I 
didn’t realize the Amish didn’t already cycle. Wonderful!

Your report about Roadies lecturing you about your bars was an immediate 
turn-off. I am pretty sure I can keep up with the 15-18 mps group easily but 
not if they espouse the attitude you just mentioned. Nope. And I’m never giving 
up my Billie Bars. I’ll reach out to Marc! Thanks for that!
Leah

> On Jan 17, 2022, at 12:10 PM, Tom Palmer  wrote:
> 
> Hi Leah,
> I am near Muskegon, about 1.5 hours away, so not sure of your local 
> opportunities. Here there are groups for all rider levels. You will get looks 
> riding your Platy on  a group ride, guaranteed. The culture is you have to 
> look fast on your carbon no matter how slow you ride. I rode a few group 
> rides with Albatross bars and a couple of the hard core roadies in A (fast) 
> group gave me a hard time expressing anything other than a drop bar is 
> dangerous to the other riders with those wide bars. I wasn't. The attitude 
> was that I would be slow too. I rode with the b group- 15-18mph average, 
> which is easier than it sounds. The group draft is a wonderful thing for 
> feeling fast. You will probably have to just go and charm them with your 
> beautiful Platypus and wonderful nature.  As a side not, I am starting a 
> "country bike" group this year at my new favorite bikeshop owned by an Amish 
> man. The Amish group allowed pedal bikes about 6 years ago and they have 
> really taken to it. I saw young men in their everyday clothing(no lycra here) 
> riding very nice road bikes the other day in the snow. The owner expects a 
> decent turnout from the Amish community for the rides. There are great gravel 
> and rural roads right from the shop and he sells very Rivish/Bobish bikes and 
> accessories, fenders, chunky tires, studded tires, lights, etc. They would 
> love your bikes. 
> Marc Irwin lives in Kalamazoo and may be able to clue you in better. Simply 
> Cycle is his blog- http://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com/ 
> Hope the cold weather is not too hard on your family, spring will be here 
> before you know it.
> Tom Palmer
> Twin Lake, MI
> 
>> On Monday, January 17, 2022 at 9:31:09 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>> 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