Quote:
Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951
Tell em' don't worry, the rides are getting out of hand, and next week they will be starting A B C groups.
"A" stands for agony.
"B" group will be riders B*****ing about the pace.
"C" group stands for Crying, like little babies.
Something for everyone.  |
This ride started life as one group. About 20 years ago, the slower, second group formed. I have been riding "B" for some time on and off for the past 10 years. Their avg speed is about 24-28 on the flats. The big kids are always near 30+. These are young men, activity racing. I can hang for about 20 miles, that's it and I try like hell to stay on. About 15-20 miles in, our B group will split, the slower riders will get drop and form their own little group for the rest of the ride. I do not want to get stuck in the split, many aren't strong enough to do their turn and they just ended up riding the rest of the 20-30 miles at a slower pace looking for a wheel to suck. I am ok with wheel suckers but at least do their turn, 5 pedals stroke is all we ask but they refuse to do just that, slowing up the pace. We no longer say anything and many of them are new riders that are young, strong enough to stay on for a bit but have no idea of group riding experience sometimes causing accidents. Sucks, no fun. Like clock work, 10 miles in on the first long gradual 2% incline, they pick up the pace another 4-5 mph to get rid of the leaches.
I do about 80-120 pretty hard miles weekly to stay up with them. Getting too old for this. 60 near the end of the year. Most of the riders are in their 30-50 year range. There's a 67 year old who show up every Saturday. He was the Sottish time trail champ at one time back in the early 80s. Tough old guy, doesn't know what stop is. Rides daily, 200 miles weekly like clock work. Amazing thing is, he's not taking any meds.