What would make you turn up at a Retrobike event? Road/MTB

[jon w]

I thought I'd resurrect this one to add my own recent experience to it.

I did my first ever group ride with Retrobike (Cotswold Road Ride) on a 1951 Sun three speed. I was slow, the weather was awful but the route was great and the company even better. I was hooked there and then.

As a result of this ride I joined my local cycling club and found that club riding is just as good with just as good a bunch of people. I now do a club ride every sunday.

Now I'm no Bradley and struggle on the climbs, but I've found that that doesn't matter! They wait at the top for you, even the fast groups, and I've not yet heard a word of complaint.

If you don't feel like having your legs torn from your body, then every club I saw offered a slow group. The club I am is this is a 10mph average group and very sociable!

My advise to all those thinking it's not for me (as I did) is the TRY IT! The lycra is the scary facade of what is a sociable sport. Retrobike exemplifies the spirit of cycling that I have seen.

 

[elPedro666]

Re:

Well said!

 

[markyp]

if the rides were a little harder.......

 

[drystonepaul]

if the rides were a little harder.......

Are we talking road or MTB here?

If you care to venture up to the Lake District on the weekend of the 5th and 6th October, then you could do the road ride on Saturday and the MTB ride on Sunday. I could even organise a few extra loops just for you. The road ride is rather hilly being in the Lake District and all...

The problem with a phrase as ambiguous as 'if the rides were a little harder' is that one man's hard ride is another man's easy.

Rides are usually, if not exclusively organised around the mantra of sociability. Hard, fast paced rides which cover longer distances tend not to be as sociable as slower paced shorter rides with a stop for lunch. Therefore Retrobike rides my always be a bit 'too easy' for some people.
It's kind of missing the point though. For many the challenge is riding on really quite old bikes, without anything breaking, and here's the important bit... having fun doing it.

 

[jon w]

if the rides were a little harder.......

Use a more basic bike! I did the Cotswold ride on a 1951 Sun three speed.

 

[elPedro666]

if the rides were a little harder.......

Use a more basic bike! I did the Cotswold ride on a 1951 Sun three speed.

I was going to suggest something similar, but perhaps less extreme - good work sir!

For the record I find the National road rides hard but the mtb easy(ish), likely that's just due to what I'm most used to though.

Harder how? Longer, bigger hills, less gossip stops*? We did Snowdon on eighties bikes earlier in the year, that certainly got the blood pumping!

It has been at the back of my mind for a while that there may be space in the calendar for a more challenging, old-school pass-bagging mini-series (I'll work on the name ). Hiking boots, woolly socks and serious hills being the order of the day: Snowdon, Garburn, Walna Scar etc etc

Any interest in this?















*just kidding, the gossip stops are sacrosanct, obviously

 

[REKIBorter]

Re:

You missed a really tough MTB ride in the Herts Epic. On the 1 - 10 scale of epicness it scores 11.

 

[any123]

It has been at the back of my mind for a while that there may be space in the calendar for a more challenging, old-school pass-bagging mini-series (I'll work on the name ). Hiking boots, woolly socks and serious hills being the order of the day: Snowdon, Garburn, Walna Scar etc etc

Any interest in this?

If only you could see my face after reading this. I feel a moan coming on but i would give it a go

Thanks andy

 

[markyp]

if the rides were a little harder.......

sorry, the comment was a bit tongue in cheek!

I've only attended 4 rides (Ed's and Karl's), but all fantastic days out. Met some really great people......and saw some really lovely bikes!
Returning after a hard day in the mountains to Ed's place to a table full of food was a treat; sat in the sun after the brewery ride this year.......great memories!

Certain areas lend themselves to a particular ride, a flat Hereford ride in the lanes would be tricky!
The Brewery ride last year, however, was relatively flat and I did the ride with Mrs Markyp.
Having said that, maer about what to expect (distance/hills/weather?) may entice those who've been put off from joining a ride?
There will always be riders of differing abilities and a hill/mountain top regroup is part of the day and a chance for a chat, etc.ybe making it a bit clear
Also, when putting your name down for a ride, an inclusion of where you live to make car sharing a bit easier?

Watch this space for a for a Northants ride......it's not as flat as I thought around here.

markyp

(.......currently on the lookout for a 1950's Sun 3-speed)

 

[elPedro666]

when putting your name down for a ride, an inclusion of where you live to make car sharing a bit easier?

Now that is a good idea! Perhaps we could mention it in the initial announcements, encourage folks to do so?

"my name's Pete, I'm travelling from Stockport, I have space for two riders and two bikes in the car and I'd like double helpings of steak&ale pie at the pubstop please..."