Great riding weather with a bit of a coolish easterly keeping the early morning temps. down into the comfort zone. Eight starters this week (3 regulars, 4 new riders and a ‘ring-in’ from the Transitional group), so we headed out for the traditional Applecross and Shelley “N” group route. It always helps to have additional ‘experienced-group’ riders joining in particularly when it comes to getting the pack organised to pair up and roll through.

For the last couple of weeks the new riders have been a mixture of ‘young guns’ (mountain bikers or solo roadies), wanting to find out about group riding dynamics and protocols. Others have been riders who could be just starting out or coming back to their bikes after a lay off and are looking to get a bit of cycling fun, fitness and riding confidence into their lives. With a bit of flexibility we are able to easily accommodate both types on the Novice ride. The ‘young guns’ are usually there for a once off in the ‘N’ group and having learnt the basic tricks join the Transition group. For the others, the ride could be a new experience re: getting exposure into the fun of group riding, stretching fitness levels and possibly doing a bit more distance than normal but without burn out and feeling completely stuffed at the end – hopefully they’ll be keen to come back the following week.

After riding out through Applecross and getting to grips with pairing up, Carol’s taken the slower rider(s) on a deviation to avoid the Majestic Hill; whilst the others climbed it ok – we haven’t had a ‘walker’ for several weeks now. Re-grouping, we rode back to Canning bridge and onto Shelley for the roll throughs. This week the group cracked it almost immediately and although the pace into the head wind was only averaging 26 klm it worked well.

For the Shelley return, Carol lead the pack out with the faster riders and I sat back shepherding & encouraging anyone who’s not yet got the leg speed to keep up & Carol calls the usual sprint at the rise at the end of Shelley (sprint points this week going to new rider Zack).

On the Novice ride it is important than if one or more riders are substantially slower than the others, then the group splits for sections on the return leg and the ‘slower’ ones don’t feel intimidated or pressured about holding the others up. This allows the others to pick the pace up and stretch out their legs.

Chairman Pete suggested that we could avoid Majestic Hill in the official “N” group ride to reduce the overall distance down to 35 klms: rationale being that it could be less intimidating for ‘potentials’ who are checking the SPR site looking for a new ride. I’m happy either way, and suggest that the ride map is shown with the shorter route, however we can make a final call on the day either at the start, or check how things are panning out in the first quarter of the ride and make a decision on the fly. Obviously if the group’s feeling good then we can include Majestic – or alternatively if everyone’s had 4 weetabix and Vitamin tablets that morning, we could even head out for the Dalkeith / Cottesloe & return Ride we did last week. I think it would be good if we could do this route once a month just to maintain interest for the ‘N’ group regulars.

Feedback (being the breakfast of champions) is appreciated !

Cheers – Mark S