After helping lead the Main 1 ride last weekend I thought I might put up a short blog on something I’ve noticed happening a bit lately.
People are not stopping when the call for a “regroup” is given.
This causes me great frustration. I think this started a good many months ago. What seems to happen is the group merely slows down and rolls along. I can only say that when I am in charge of a ride and I call for a regroup I would like people to stop at the nominated point and get off the road and wait so that we don’t block traffic while we are waiting for everyone to get together.
I only call for regroups when there is a danger of dropping riders too far from home. Thus, last week after we turned onto Cannning Highway it was open slather. No more regroups – from Canning you can find your way home if you get dropped.
My thinking is this: if your ride leader calls for a regroup, find a safe spot that can accommodate the whole group and pull off the road. Common places for regroups include bus stops, footpaths, car parks etc. A regroup only need be a couple of minutes – but this will allow people to catch their breath, have a drink and more importantly allow the group leader to make sure all stragglers are in back within the fold and any problems are sorted out.
Thoughts?
I think regroups are definately the way to go in the all but the Fast. We always try to promote SPR as putting safe group riding as one of our major concerns, thus it is important to look after all riders in the group. When someone gets dropped they may have a tendancy to not feel as safe as when surrounded by other riders, and they are at the mercy of car users who for whatever reason may put a solo rider at greater risk. Roads such as Canning Hwy, although dual lane, are still a dangerous place to have people riding singley or strung out. It is a major route that is dangerous at all times, So I would say keep together on this road till we get nearer the causeway, or make sure anyone struggling goes back via the river.
If your calling for a regroup after a particularly difficult part of the ride such as Ridge Hill Rd, Benara Rd then yes , a stopped regroup is called for. If it is just that the pace is to high for those being dropped then a slowing is in order to begin with, but if the rider isn’t able keep up they should wait for the following group. This obviously doesn’t work for Main 2 so we should always wait for all riders in this group, as Main 2 isn’t meant to be a smash fest.
Just think safety, I’d hate to be part of a group who left someone behind, only to find they were involved in an incident because we wanted to get back 5 min quicker
Agree with both Toby and Daryl. We are a club that looks after our members, including on the road during group rides. (And we even look after each other during races ie the Golden Spokes)
Lets not get to a point (apart from maybe the fast group) were everyone is fighting to stay with the group, and starts doing other rides as they feel they are under too much pressure (or are not enjoying riding) with our club.
We are about having a good enjoyable ride, for some that is a smashfest (fast group) for others it is a reasonable paced ride with a group of like minded individuals (main 1 and 2, and transitionals) or it is about getting the skills needed to ride in a group (Transitionals and Beginners).
The whole reason we have group leaders is so that there is someone making sure EVERYONE is following the spirit of the ride and gets back safely.
Group Leaders do a great job, listen to what they say, most of them have been with the club for a while.
Did not have time to write up the sat ride, but did want to make mention of the great job Toby did of leading Main 1 on sat!
i think people are confusing “regroup” with “ease up”
Perhaps play down the “fast group as smash-fest” line, if you would, as that mindset does have an impact on those willing to try the fastest group we offer – and the way the ride is ridden.
As we’ve discussed before, the fast group does try to ride together, hopefully sharing the work for the better part of the route. The pace is higher and more consistently so (mid to high 30s) so cross winds or lumpy bits are going to have more impact for many. Although there isn’t any easing up or regrouping, riders still work together in the small groups that form. Riders do need to be willing to contribute to the pace more frequently once that happens (in that way improvement comes). “Work hard and train, don’t strain,” as my old middle distance coach used to say.
Depending on the course, we often end up together at the lights for the final run home anyway.
…..and we always re-group, just more often that not it’s in the coffee shop !!!!
Bugger- I missed the re-group in the Golden Spokes…. 🙂
Main two follows main one- that follows the fast group- anyone that gets dropped- hopefully gets swept up…????
I’m relatively new to group rides on the road and even newer to SPR group rides, but it is quite obvious to me that SPR does promote a more sensible approach to its’ ride management and conduct of its’ members on the road than other groups – some of who justifiably give roadies a bad name.
This translates through to safe and courteous group riding on the Saturdays that I have joined the Main 1 group and it’s the primary reason I like to tag along with you guys as often as I can.
Keep up the good work.