what a horrible week. work has just been totally flat out. riding has involved getting totally soaked. water tower challenge is looming and i want to make sure it is a good day for those participating. everything in the same week. so far we have about 40 riders registered for the event and surprisingly, most are in the imperial challenge. there are some finishing touches that i need to organise (buy some drink, print out final start lists, email participants with instructions), but it is getting there. thanks to all those that have volunteered and to those that have entered.
ride etiquette – there has been a lot of talk lately about the way some people are riding in the group and the effects that it is having on the safety and organisation of our rides. firstly there have been a number of minor crashes or near misses where people have not been rolling through correctly. the key is consistent speed, no surging. also, if you are on the front, unless there is an emergency, there is no reason for you to stop pedaling or hit the brakes. we have a ride etiquette guide and i suggest that a lot of people (old and new riders to the group) need to review it. at the other end of the spectrum, there are experienced and strong riders that are blowing apart other organised rides for their own benefit. certain rides have a following because people know what to expect. thursday ride is fast, but this doesn’t mean that every other ride you do as part of the group needs to be at the same speed. i will look at putting together a “rules of engagement” for the rides that we have. this will cover things like expected speed, when the fast points are, when the regroups are, etc. if you go back to the etiquette guide you will see that riding on one of our training rides means that you ride as a group and look out for one another. certain roads we ride on are safer if we stick together rather than being strung out. have a think about what you are doing to the group as a whole.
water tower challenge – registrations close tonight for the water tower challenge. the event page is up and running and more info can be found there. this event is aimed at challenging any riders in our club. get a team together and register now.
body genius presentation – this week after the saturday ride there will be a special presentation at the cafe by steve from body genius. he has been helping jen for a while now so they have organised a presentation so our members can see what is on offer. please hang around after the ride to listen to the presentation and ask any questions of steve. to allow time for people to get in from their rides and have a coffee, the presentation will start at 9:30. please hang around if you can to hear what steve has to say as you may just find some value in it to improve your cycling.
ride routes – there is a sunday hills ride on this week, but you really should be doing the water tower challenge. the short and long course will both head out to gooseberry together and then split from there.
saturday 22nd september
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
early lap – spr earlybird ride
all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am
development group – spr saturday 35.48km (novice shelley)
transitional – spr saturday 40.72km (mosman park)
fast & main groups – spr saturday 51.07km (morley drive)
sunday 23rd september
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
early lap – spr earlybird ride
all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am
short – follow the long course to do gooseberry
long – spr sunday 85.76km (gooseberry & kalamunda & bickley)
I cannot recommend sticking around to listen to Steve enough. He has been invaluable to me over the last 3 years and I have no doubt that he has helped me achieve what i have.
He has helped me with diet, training plans, posture, skeletal and muscular injury. What i value most is his diversity of knowledge and techniques. Honestly, I have not had a problem he has not been able to help me with.
So if you have never seen more than a dr, or you want to change physios, or you are not recovering from injury with your current physio/chiro etc, then I really recommend you sticking around to listen and meet Steve.
Oh, did I mention that he’s also a really nice guy too! Some of you may have seen him at our fundraising quiz night for the UCI trip.
re: El Prez’s discourse on Ride Groups their aim and etiquette: Having lead out the Trans last week and received early feedback after a klm or so about how people do not like to be told what to do whilst on the ride . . . . had a quick knee jerk and wtf coupled with why was I wasting my time; followed by a deep breathe and then reason prevailed . . . . so I tried to explain (my version) of what the “T” ride was about ie: taking the basic group riding skills people had picked up in the Developers & finding ways to practise and improve on them, developing confidence in riding safely on busy roads, group etiquette; communication & bonding; and most importantly getting everyone back for coffee in one piece with a smile on their faces.
Each ride is different and It’s sometimes tricky to work out how much ‘guidance’ is needed and what balance between ‘dictatorial authoritarianism’ and the ‘off you go, see you later and don’t get lost’ approach is appropriate on the day. So any riders out there who want to join in the Transition Group over the next 3 or 4 weeks, please come along and feel encouraged to give feedback before, during or after the ride and consider how we can do things better and we’ll strive to improve the experience without compromising the core aims.
cheers mark_s
You’re a good man Mark. Much respect for your character, attitude and what you do for the club in leading and devloping riders.
I hope all give you the respect you deserve – especially the trannies.
:-0 omg thats crazy!
Peter & Mark, thanks for speaking up on the forum. I feel the same, but find it harder to speak up when it counts – and THAT is the real problem.
In the past, I have been told off for not keeping my line / erratic braking etc, and as much as I despised being told off, I realise it will only make me a better rider.
well said all, totally agree ;0)
PS .. happy to assist with providing a few pointers re “rules of engagement” for the friday morning ride!!!