We'll take advantage of the good forecast to head out to Pineland this weekend (Ride route). It looks to be pretty nice all day, so we will plan to leave the shop at 8:00am.
We are also looking for volunteers to help lead the ride on a regular basis. If you are interested, send me an email. We need folks ASAP, so don't be shy.
A quick safety tip for those of you with iPhones. Please create a contact titled "Emergency" in your phone. For most of you, this will allow the use of Siri to call numbers stored under that contact without having to unlock your phone. I assume Android phones have a similar feature. This doesn't replace the need for wearing some form of emergency contact information, but it does add another layer in the event something happens during the ride.
Finally, we would like to open a dialogue regarding the purpose and the future of the Saturday ride. Traditionally, this ride was the introductory ride, designed to provide a gateway into group riding. However, over the past few years, we have stretched that definition significantly. Last year I noticed that the tension seemed to be growing and the ride seemed to be polarizing a bit more than in the past. The current season is young, but there are signs that the gap is widening. Since the riders make the ride, we would appreciate your feedback on where we are, what we need to improve and what the goals of the ride should be. Please feel free to use the comments, email me, email Bron, or simply take a few minutes to give us your thoughts during the ride.
See you Saturday.
5 comments:
I just joined the ride last June and am really enjoying it. I must be dense as I'm not aware of the tension you cite. It seems like it sorts itself out on the ride, with those that want to go faster going off the front. Depending on the day, I've been up front or in the rear. I'm looking for a solid weekend "B" ride, an alternative to the hammerfest out of CycleMania. So far, this has been the answer.
I haven't been a reg. Sat. morning rider for about a year and a half and am looking to get back into it. When I first started riding a few years ago I really appreciated this ride as a newbie to groups and still feel that way. I agree with Geoff that it tends to work out either with faster riders off the front or, as we've done in the past, with split rides.
I am new to the Portland scene so I don't understand the development of this ride or the percieved tension. Group riding is to me the most enjoyable part of cycling. As with any group there will naturally be different ideas, opinions, abilities and skills. No different in cycling, thats what makes a group intersting. The key is as you are suggesting, definiton and purpose. I suggest two catagories, not A/B but beginners and experienced. Saturdays are free days and those who maybe able to ride a bit faster want to ride greater distance. The beginners group is both introductory and skills development. State that the experienced group is a no drop group but may break into two sub groups. In short open it up and keep it respectful and inclusive to all.
I think I understand and generally agree with the last poster. I see Saturday riders joining in on Thursday rides and riding in their group of choice (a or b). This seems to work well. Saturday has a greater potential to attract a wider skill level simply because of people's availibility. We should want to assist all skill levels and provide challenging, training, distance and beginner experiences when schedules are the most flexible. As far as tension I've ridden in many organized rides and really haven't picked up on any negativity on this ride, a couple egos here or there but nothing compared to other group rides. I hope it stays this way because friendly communicative groups really help to encourage us to do what we do.
I'm in because I love the pine land loop! Thanks for opening the dialogue I agree with the others above. No tension here. I have ridden all the other Portland groups as well as clubs in NY, and SC. This group ranks more considerate than others. If someone has a mechanical issue, crash etc. we all stop and care. We move on once cleared by the one afflicted. Other groups tend to look the other way if someone needs help or is struggling. We care just a tad bit more about our fellow riders. Experienced riders gently edify newbies,the strong can feel free to shoot up ahead if they want and if your legs burn you can sit up and chat with others. The important thing is to ride your ride. If someone is too fast they'll end up by themselves. This is generally a "B" ish group. The diversity of new and experienced riders is, in part what makes this fun. See you in the morning....we'll talk.
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