Club runs

[Deleted member 24574]

It is that time of year where we return to the club run on Sundays.

I was wondering how other clubs run theirs ...

Do you run one group or a number of smaller ones?

If you run multiple groups how do you split them?

Do you allow unattached riders and members of other clubs to ride?

How big a group do you ride in?

 

[Uncle Monty]

Re:

Been doing these all this year with the social pace group. Set off with the introductory ride group, newest and inexperienced riders on the wheel of the ride leader. Depending on ability, we sometimes split and the newer riders take a flatter route to the cafe rather than the hilly one. Both groups arrive at about the same time. Leasurely stop for tea or coffee, some have breakfast. The intro group then head off back along with anyone who is recovering or needs to get home in good time. Distance about 25-30k. The rest of the social ride take a longer route back to the start point. Probably about 50k ish. Sometimes it's pretty leasurely, sometimes not. Depends who is riding, but it is strictly non drop and the pace is kept down if there is a new rider along. Normally about six of us do this, as many of the others will have been out Saturday as well and have family commitments.

This is my first year with a club, the formula seems to work. Group size has grown. I think when it gets to 15 or 16, we split. Being in the SE on constantly busy roads, it can cause a bit of congestion. I am now at the point of being slung out of the social pace group and onto the moderate pace rides along with a few others, as it needs thinning a little. I get uncomfortable with large groups on busy roads. I prefer a group of 8 as a maximum and six is even better. Moderate group tend to do their own thing with a different route and stop point. No idea what the Pacy group do - I have never seen them . Saturday rides are the same format but usually a bit longer. 88k for the social, 100 odd for the moderate group. A few of us met up for midweek evening rides in the summer as well.

 

[daccordimark]

It is that time of year where we return to the club run on Sundays.

If it's not a silly question what do you do for the rest of the year? Racing I guess.

In our club we have two groups - one that sets off at 8:00am which includes a good sprinkling of racing guys amongst them and "my" group which goes off at 9:00am. The 08:00am fast men generally do longer rides of 70-100 miles while we do 60-80. Our 09:00am group often splits again along the lines of general speed and (more importantly around here) hill climbing ability. That way there's less time spent waiting at the tops of climbs which becomes even more important in winter.

We've come to realise that a group of twelve or under is much more manageable and less disruptive both on the road and at the obligatory cafe stop.

Prospective club members or visitors from outside the borders of the civilised world are politely quizzed as to experience and ability and then slotted into a suitable group. People from other clubs are allowed in too. Once unattached riders have been on a few rides they are usually encouraged to join the club if they want to carry on riding with us.

Mark.

 

[jon w]

The club I'm in has two separate groups. Both meet for set off at 9am but go separate ways. The slower group does 40-50 miles at a gentle pace, the faster group does 50-60 miles. Typical groups are 10 riders, but I've seem up to 17. Traffic is less of an issue on the B roads of the south west so large groups help with stragglers.

The route is adjusted to allow for the group size and makeup, in order to minimize drop off. Any stragglers are waited for at key points or allowed to get a lead before being gunned down.... we also tend to use the same routes regularly so most know the way round.

The club has a relaxed view on newbies and outsiders joining the rides.

 

[Deleted member 24574]

It is that time of year where we return to the club run on Sundays.

If it's not a silly question what do you do for the rest of the year? Racing I guess.

Yep; the club run runs all year but gets bigger turn outs outside of race season.

 

[daj]

Our club is pretty good

Saturday morning

09:30 is 16/17 average over 30/40 miles with coffee stop

10:30 is family ride normally 18 miles averaging 12/13 or slowest rider

Sunday

9am "slower" group 40/45 miles average 17
"Faster" group same averaging 18/19

Only shame with our club is they never expand over the 40/45 miles so you tend to adjust to this then when doing longer rides elsewhere sometimes you run out of steam.

Numbers can vary from 20/30 to 60+ The groups can then be split further. In the summer we have mid-week rides in the evenings and there is a go cycling junior club.

Not bad for a club that's only 3 years old

 

[Ian Raleigh]

Re:

I'd like to go on our local clubruns again but for the past two years its been a free for all, proving who has the best bike and proving who is the fastest on the flat and up the hills, I'm sick of it, so stay away and go out on my own now, when I'm well enough that is!

 

[Spokesmann]

Re: Re:

I'd like to go on our local clubruns again but for the past two years its been a free for all, proving who has the best bike and proving who is the fastest on the flat and up the hills, I'm sick of it, so stay away and go out on my own now, when I'm well enough that is!

Great reasons why I have always chosen to go my own way. Im with you all the way.

 

[Johnsqual]

Re:

In the summer, we have two group. Both set out at qbout 8:15. The 'cyclo' group does about 80km and the 'sport' group does about 100.
The aim is to both get back by about 12:00-12:30 for the pub.

The club is very well organised even by Belgian standards. We have two broom wagons with plenty of spare wheels, and with orange hazard lights.

The turnout is usually about 20-30, I think, with a slight majority going with the cyclo group.

A couple of the more dedicated members go out and test ride any new routes. I've seen a lot of places I wouldn't have otherwise found, and I find it more relaxing and better training to ride at a steady tempo rather than having to worry about finding my way.

It was difficult to find a suitable club. In Belgium, the clubs are often eityher super serious groups with overpriced bikes and an overly competitive mentality, or clubs that are not much more than a thin excuse for a piss up on Sunday afternoon. The club I found is a good balance - a nice range of ages and backgrounds, and a good balance between doing a decent ride and not being too ambitious.

 

[mjray]

Re:

One group, anyone can come, 10am or 7pm urban starts, split only if needed into sixes on busyish roads, no rider left behind, very relaxed pace (10mph including stops except lunch is usual), distances from 5 to 55miles. Runs all year, sun and snow, as long as it's not extreme weather.