View Full Version : Ride Sat 03/31/07 - Clayton
Since Zonda cant ride this weekend, Karen and I will be doing a ride from The Grocery Bag in Clayton @ 9:30AM. We'll use the same routes that are listed in the cue sheet forum.
Here is a link (http://trianglecycling.com/showthread.php?t=18470) to the cue sheets.
There is a 42, 34, 24 and 12 mile option. This route is EXTREMELY flat so if you've been itching to bump your mileage up some, this is the place to do it.
Betsy has offered to lead from the rear on whichever route she rides. I will do the 42 mile option along with KG, Jon, Tracy and whoever else shows for the 42 and while we wont lead from the rear, we will periodically regroup if need be.
I'm going to also post this ride to the Cyclepath's mailing list as their regular training rides start back next weekend so there may be some of them itching to get some saddle time in before the first ride. Hopefully we have a good turnout. The weather looks great right now with a high of 71.
As usual, hotdogs will be consumed after the ride across the street at TGB.
Zonda
03-27-2007, 04:18 PM
Karen and I will be doing a ride from The Grocery Bag in Clayton @ 9:30AM.
Betsy has offered to lead from the rear on whichever route she rides.
Thanks Jay, Karen and Betsy!!:p
KarenG
03-27-2007, 05:37 PM
thanks for volunteering me to ride:D
just kidding...you know i'm in for 42.
BetsyW
03-27-2007, 05:50 PM
I wouldn't mind doing the 34 or 42 but if there is someone else that actually goes as slow as I do and wants to do a shorter route I will do that too. Brian (my husband) will ride with me, so if no one else rides I will not be alone.:)
By the way, I ride about 13-14, depending on wind, hills, gravitational pull...
Gerard
03-27-2007, 06:37 PM
I'll try the 42 mile ride!
Gerard
This route is very flat.. Expect to average 2 MPH or so above normal. Its a great route as long as the wind isnt up.
Bob S.
03-28-2007, 08:20 AM
I plan to do the 42 mile ride.
Bob
Bob! Its gonna be great to see you back out!
Ive also emailed Mike Rogers and posted something to the Cyclepath list so hopefully we get a good turnout.
KarenG
03-28-2007, 07:49 PM
I plan to do the 42 mile ride.
Bob
hey bob! is doris gonna be riding too?
MikeD
03-29-2007, 10:02 PM
I'll see everyone there for the 42! Oh yeah and the hotdogs!!!
Zonda
03-29-2007, 10:11 PM
Gotta say it again, love that avatar Mike D!
BetsyW
03-30-2007, 02:33 PM
I don't think anyone has signed up to do the 32 mile, but I was looking at the cue sheets to compare the 42 and 32 mile route and I think there is a mistake on the 32 mile. At mile 23.1 it says turn right on Hwy 39 and I think you need to turn left.
I don't think anyone has signed up to do the 32 mile, but I was looking at the cue sheets to compare the 42 and 32 mile route and I think there is a mistake on the 32 mile. At mile 23.1 it says turn right on Hwy 39 and I think you need to turn left.
Youre correct.. it should be left.
Weather for tomorrow looks pretty good. A little chilly at start time but warming up pretty quick and no rain until the late afternoon.
Pugslyyy
03-30-2007, 06:35 PM
I don't think anyone has signed up to do the 32 mile, but I was looking at the cue sheets to compare the 42 and 32 mile route and I think there is a mistake on the 32 mile. At mile 23.1 it says turn right on Hwy 39 and I think you need to turn left.
I think you'll find that there is a problem with the 42 mile as well. If you follow it you end up going down a dirt road.
I think you'll find that there is a problem with the 42 mile as well. If you follow it you end up going down a dirt road.
Now thats out of my hands! Thats the Cyclepath's cue sheet :)
Jon, are you coming tomorrow? If so, Im going to bring this GPS deal for you.
Pugslyyy
03-30-2007, 07:29 PM
Yep, I should be there.
Bob S.
03-30-2007, 07:39 PM
Karen, Doris is a traitor. She plans to play golf.
Bob
KarenG
03-30-2007, 08:03 PM
Karen, Doris is a traitor. She plans to play golf.
Bob
tell her she needs to get back out here! this is WAY flatter than the route from Jay's house.
RickF
03-30-2007, 10:09 PM
Youre correct.. it should be left.The corrected cue sheet has been posted.
CharleyM3
03-30-2007, 10:45 PM
The Grocery bag is on the east side of Clayton, by the Lake? I've never been there before. I'm planning on riding tomorrow.
I'll check back here in the morning before I roll out.
http://selmacyclepaths.org/21376/22432.html
Gerard
03-31-2007, 05:37 AM
Not having a good night trying to sleep. If I am not there by start-time, go on without me. Have a feeling I will not make this ride.
Gerard
CharleyM3
03-31-2007, 08:05 AM
Okay, I've got the right place. I had a bad night as well. Actually My wife did and I got it by osmosis. Let's pull together Gerard. We'll feel better after we ride.
Great ride today! I wanted to thank everyone for coming out. The weather was excellent albeit a bit windy at the end. Thanks to Betsy and Brian for leading from the back.
My stats were a bit surprising. I didnt think this ride was going to be that fast for me but it turned out to be pretty good. Everyone else had great stats as well, which hopefully they post. Just goes to show how riding through the winter will get you into shape for the beginning of the season.
I averaged 19.0MPH with a moving time of 2 hours, 15 minutes over 42.82 miles. Its very possible I could have broken 20 today had it not been for that wind that kicked up after the last rest stop. It was absolutely brutal.
BetsyW
03-31-2007, 02:32 PM
I'm glad the wind was not my imagination for the last few miles - I felt like it didn't matter which way we turned the wind was always in our face. We had a great ride overall, and averaged 15 mph up until the last rest stop. I sort of hit a wall at about 32 miles and we made a few unscheduled rest stops. At a few points I honestly didn't think I'd make it to the end, but I did:) (and the last evil hill wasn't even all that bad thanks to granny gear).
Stats for Betsy and Brian
Distance ~43 miles
Pace 14 mph
Time 3:06
Everyone had to ride Jordan Narron, even the 24 mile people :) A visit to Clayton wouldnt be complete without JN. Coulda been worse, Flower Hill Rd is the most brutal hill Ive ever been up.
And no.. that wind was awful.. kicked up when we stopped at the rest stop where Cletus works.
Pugslyyy
03-31-2007, 03:03 PM
I'm glad the wind was not my imagination for the last few miles - I felt like it didn't matter which way we turned the wind was always in our face. We had a great ride overall, and averaged 15 mph up until the last rest stop. I sort of hit a wall at about 32 miles and we made a few unscheduled rest stops. At a few points I honestly didn't think I'd make it to the end, but I did:) (and the last evil hill wasn't even all that bad thanks to granny gear).
Stats for Betsy and Brian
Distance ~43 miles
Pace 14 mph
Time 3:06
That's great Betsy. Good for you for hanging in there when you were getting wore out - we've all been there!
I think that wind really kicked all our butts today. The temps were a lot warmer than I expected (nice).
Pugslyyy
03-31-2007, 03:08 PM
My stats were a bit surprising. I didnt think this ride was going to be that fast for me but it turned out to be pretty good.
That's what happens when you spend the whole ride sucking on the back tire of a tandem!
http://pugsly.bechange.com/forum_fodder/tonyrobbins2.jpg
KarenG
03-31-2007, 04:19 PM
Hey guys -
Glad to hear that ya'll had a great ride. Mine, unfortunately, sucked. I turned around at Micro and made my way back to the start. My lungs and the back of my throat were on fire and it was really painful to breathe; my throat even hurt when i drank anything. Even limping back to the GB, my average was a paltry 17mph for 23.3 miles.
Hopefully, this damn pollen will be gone soon. I think I will be hitting the gym next week (cept for Thursday) and doing stuff inside rather than outside.
K
That's what happens when you spend the whole ride sucking on the back tire of a tandem!
http://www.johnsondesigns.com/sitebuilder/images/dont-hate-346x348.jpg
Dont hate.. I dropped the tandem a couple of times for some pretty long stretches.
Im not sure how much the tandem helped me. They werent going that fast and I was only behind them for maybe 7 or 8 miles tops. I averaged 18.4 out there last time.
BetsyW
03-31-2007, 04:49 PM
Hopefully, this damn pollen will be gone soon.
The pollen is bad. My face was literally yellowish green when I was done riding. I've only lived in NC for 7 years, but I'm not sure I remember it being this bad (or maybe I just haven't been doing much outdoor activity to notice). Thankfully, it doesn't seem to bother me. Hope you're feeling better soon.
Yea.. I noticed when I finished the ride that my black shorts had a yellowish tint to them in the sunlight. Im really glad that pollen doesnt have much of an effect one me cuz it sure seems to be bad this year.
Pugslyyy
03-31-2007, 05:23 PM
Dont hate.. I dropped the tandem a couple of times for some pretty long stretches.
I know... but it's much more fun to give you crap about something, even if it isn't true! :p
http://pugsly.bechange.com/forum_fodder/cool_as_these_2.jpg
possibly even more so.
MikeD
03-31-2007, 05:45 PM
My generous cycle computer recorded my stats for today at 43.98 miles with a 2:29 hour time and an avg of 17.85. I had a great time today as usual but didn't notice how much sun I got till I washed all the yellow pollen off when I got home. Note to self, buy some sunscreen.
MikeD
03-31-2007, 05:47 PM
Everyone had to ride Jordan Narron, even the 24 mile people :) A visit to Clayton wouldnt be complete without JN. Coulda been worse, Flower Hill Rd is the most brutal hill Ive ever been up.
And no.. that wind was awful.. kicked up when we stopped at the rest stop where Cletus works.
I like to think about the Grocery Bag hot dogs while climbing Jordan Narron.
I like to think about the Grocery Bag hot dogs while climbing Jordan Narron.
Good incentive. You need to come out when they ride the Flower Hill Thrill route. That hill is what convinced me to put compacts on both of my bikes.
BetsyW
03-31-2007, 06:13 PM
I like to think about the Grocery Bag hot dogs while climbing Jordan Narron.
I think I'm the only one who is not crazy about those hot dogs. It's the red thing I think, doesn't do anything for me.
RickF
03-31-2007, 06:18 PM
I think I'm the only one who is not crazy about those hot dogs. It's the red thing I think, doesn't do anything for me.Red hot dogs and pine pollen are both North Carolina things. I am not crazy about hot dogs that contain more D&C Red Dye #40 than they do meat, either.
The reason the pollen is worse this year than it has been in other years is that we have had a pretty dry spring so far. We need a good rain to knock the pollen from the trees and clear the air and roads.
Pugslyyy
03-31-2007, 07:20 PM
Hey Rick -- we missed not having you out riding with us today!
RickF
03-31-2007, 07:28 PM
Hey Rick -- we missed not having you out riding with us today!I was at the open house at the UNC School of Pharmacy today. Our daughter was inducted into Rho Chi, the pharmacy honor society, so I thought that might be more important than the ride.
CharleyM3
04-01-2007, 12:13 AM
Ya dropped me!!! Ya-no-good-rotten-bunch-a-biker-skum, ya dropped me in the last 5 miles. I wouldn't have done it to you... Um, well err, uh, maybe I would, probably would... definitely would, but it was still rude and mean of you! Next time I'm gonna do it to you so you know how it feels, oh wait a minute, I already have. Hmmm, so this is how it feels. Bummer. I need to get stronger. :D Then I'll show ya!
I went 43.36 @ 17.0 Wheels going around for 2:32.
Great ride, except for the wind at the end. That's faster for farther than I've gone before. I even got a chance to pull the line into the wind for 2 miles. Thanks for those growing opportunities. ;)
See ya Wednesday I hope. I should have the new ride on the road by then.
Pugslyyy
04-01-2007, 02:03 AM
Ya dropped me!!!
I went 43.36 @ 17.0 Wheels going around for 2:32.
Great ride, except for the wind at the end. That's faster for farther than I've gone before. I even got a chance to pull the line into the wind for 2 miles. Thanks for those growing opportunities. ;)
I was 42.6 @17.7 for 2:23, so you weren't much off what I was doing - seems like we all just got kind of spread out. I think the wind just caught all of us different today. See you next time!
Great pace on that heavy bike, Charlie!
Ive never seen wind at that end of that route before. It sucked bad. Usually after you get by about halfway, its pretty calm from there on out.
Bob S.
04-02-2007, 12:39 AM
Jay, thanks for arranging the ride. My Garmin GPS shows 42.9 miles at 16.9. My chain came off again on the last hill changing from the large chain ring to the smaller, so back to the bike shop. Thanks again - enjoyed the ride and the people.
Bob
Zonda
04-02-2007, 07:22 PM
Ya dropped me!!! Ya-no-good-rotten-bunch-a-biker-skum, ya dropped me in the last 5 miles. I wouldn't have done it to you... Um, well err, uh, maybe I would, probably would... definitely would, but it was still rude and mean of you! Next time I'm gonna do it to you so you know how it feels, oh wait a minute, I already have. Hmmm, so this is how it feels. Bummer. I need to get stronger. :D Then I'll show ya!
Great ride, except for the wind at the end. That's faster for farther than I've gone before. I even got a chance to pull the line into the wind for 2 miles. Thanks for those growing opportunities. ;)
Charley, this sounds horrible! I know you were half kidding though.
Maybe we should post pick up rides in the Rides/Meetups section (rather than Slow Spokes section) so lurkers/beginners don't think they will be dropped on rides. I think pick up rides should be whatever the ride organizer wants them to be since that person is volunteering their time to lead a ride, but maybe separating the ride announcements might help so lurkers don't think this is the norm for a "Slow Spokes" ride.
Since we have so many riders who have stuck with it and advanced to faster paces, it's certainly not fair to kick them out of the group and we should encourage everyone who wants to improve their skills, but maybe separating the announcements might help avoid confusion about our NO DROP policy.
For those who don't know, the Wed. OMV and Sat. shop rides are designated as Slow Spokes NO DROP rides. Others may offer pick up rides of their choice, but Slow Spokes designated rides are always NO DROP.
Suggestions welcomed!
KarenG
04-02-2007, 08:55 PM
Charley, this sounds horrible! I know you were half kidding though.
Maybe we should post pick up rides in the Rides/Meetups section (rather than Slow Spokes section) so lurkers/beginners don't think they will be dropped on rides. I think pick up rides should be whatever the ride organizer wants them to be since that person is volunteering their time to lead a ride, but maybe separating the ride announcements might help so lurkers don't think this is the norm for a "Slow Spokes" ride.
Since we have so many riders who have stuck with it and advanced to faster paces, it's certainly not fair to kick them out of the group and we should encourage everyone who wants to improve their skills, but maybe separating the announcements might help avoid confusion about our NO DROP policy.
For those who don't know, the Wed. OMV and Sat. shop rides are designated as Slow Spokes NO DROP rides. Others may offer pick up rides of their choice, but Slow Spokes designated rides are always NO DROP.
Suggestions welcomed!
Zonda,
I think that this is a good idea. Most of the rides that I post are for 16+ mph and not suitable for beginners or people coming out to ride for the first time. The ride on Saturday had two ppl who were riding for the first time in a group and and I'm not sure that anyone else that showed up rode with them. It was unfortunate that there wasn't because it may have scared them off. I don't even remember their names :(
Most of the times, the rides Jay and I post are for a fast pace and are not a NO DROP ride. If you can't keep up, you will get dropped. Hopefully, you will have a GPS or cue sheet on our rides. A lot of the times, we will regroup at turns, but not at all of them. We did on the ride in Wendell, but I don't think they did on all the turns Saturday. I know they didn't wait on me when I got dropped.
Anyways, rides that I post and most likely Jay's ride posts, are gonna be of the faster variety and won't be no drop. They will be for the people who progress through the Slow Spokes (like me) and are looking for something with a little more "zing".
Other suggestions/comments welcomed.
Karen.
RickF
04-02-2007, 08:59 PM
I agree that rides that are not going to be "no drop" should be posted on the Rides/Meet Up forum instead of on the Slow Spokes forum. All rides posted on the Slow Spokes forum should have a designated sweeper to ride with (not just wait for) the slowest rider in the group.
BetsyW
04-02-2007, 09:14 PM
[QUOTE=KarenG;191333]Zonda,
The ride on Saturday had two ppl who were riding for the first time in a group and and I'm not sure that anyone else that showed up rode with them. It was unfortunate that there wasn't because it may have scared them off. I don't even remember their names :(
I've been feeling guilty all weekend about not riding with the new people on Saturday, but it all was so last minute with them showing up to ride. I gave them my maps, but I should have ridden with them. If they're reading this I hope they won't be scared off - we really appreciate the organized rides, even if it is just the two of us riding in the back. Somehow we're more motivated to ride when we schedule a group ride rather than just riding the same old routes at home. And I have faith that I'll eventually get better.
I guess technically the 42 mile was a no drop since I was in the rear by default of being slow, which I knew would be the case, which is why I volunteered to be in the back. There was always a group at the rest stop waiting to make sure we were still ok, and that was really appreciated.
I clearly asked before the ride if anyone wanted to regroup at turns and no one showed any interest in it. Please dont whine about being dropped when you had the opportunity to ask for the group to wait for you at the turns.
I have no problems waiting for people but if no one asks, Im not going to sit there and wait. I did try to wait for everyone to regroup at the rest stops but people wanted to get going at the Shoeheel rest stop so we were pulling out when you rode in Betsy. As Ive said before, I appreciate you guys handling the sweep.
Pugslyyy
04-02-2007, 11:10 PM
I know they didn't wait on me when I got dropped.
That's what you get for being a separatist! :D
CharleyM3
04-02-2007, 11:18 PM
For heaven's sake folks, that whole tirade was tongue in cheek. I had a lot of fun writing it. It was intended to be humorous.
Now on to the evolved topic. Yes, let's keep Slow Spokes ride posting true to the intent.
Zonda, would you put a link to "other" rides that links back to the rides and meetups.
KarenG
04-03-2007, 07:19 AM
For heaven's sake folks, that whole tirade was tongue in cheek. I had a lot of fun writing it. It was intended to be humorous.
Now on to the evolved topic. Yes, let's keep Slow Spokes ride posting true to the intent.
Zonda, would you put a link to "other" rides that links back to the rides and meetups.
Charley,
I know that your post was all tongue-in-cheek, but it brought up an important topic. There were people at Saturday's ride who were riding for the first time and thought it was a Slow Spokes ride. It wasn't, in any shape or form a true SS ride, even though several members had their jerseys on. It's these people who we want to come back and who we want to encourage. If that had been me and my husband a year ago, I would've most likely said the hell with it and not attempted to ride with this group again.
I think all we are saying is that rides which are not going to be no drop, need to be placed in another area so newbies don't get confused and show up for these faster rides when they're not ready for them. Me getting dropped was no problem. I feel that I'm an experienced rider and I would be ok. I was fine riding back by myself. If something had happened and I was able to use the phone, I woulda called Jay anyways.
All we want to do is make sure the newer riders are riding with the true Slow Spokes and not the Separatist Spokes. (I can just imagine what MikeR and Cookie would have to say about this past Saturday's ride:eek: )
Later-
KarenG
04-03-2007, 07:26 AM
I clearly asked before the ride if anyone wanted to regroup at turns and no one showed any interest in it. Please dont whine about being dropped when you had the opportunity to ask for the group to wait for you at the turns.
I'm not whining (if you're talking about my posts). I don't think anyone else is either.
We're just discussing how our type of rides should be posted so this doesn't happen in the future with new riders. Keep trying to tell you we need a Separatist Spokes forum :p which should solve the issue. Everyone knows (or should know) that that group is the fast group.
BetsyW
04-03-2007, 07:52 AM
I clearly asked before the ride if anyone wanted to regroup at turns and no one showed any interest in it. Please dont whine about being dropped when you had the opportunity to ask for the group to wait for you at the turns.
I have no problems waiting for people but if no one asks, Im not going to sit there and wait. I did try to wait for everyone to regroup at the rest stops but people wanted to get going at the Shoeheel rest stop so we were pulling out when you rode in Betsy. As Ive said before, I appreciate you guys handling the sweep.
Wow, I didn't expect anyone to wait on me, I hope I didn't give that impression. I appreciated everyone waiting at the rest stops, but didn't expect it at all. Hence the reason my husband rides behind me.
Pugslyyy
04-03-2007, 08:16 AM
There were people at Saturday's ride who were riding for the first time and thought it was a Slow Spokes ride. It wasn't, in any shape or form a true SS ride, even though several members had their jerseys on. It's these people who we want to come back and who we want to encourage. If that had been me and my husband a year ago, I would've most likely said the hell with it and not attempted to ride with this group again.
.
.
.
Later-
I agree with everything Karen said. One of the things that (I believe) Slow Spokes should aspire to be is very welcoming to the novice / slower rider. There aren't a lot of groups in the area that are.
I've suggested to Zonda that she and Jay be a bit more aggressive in moving posts around on the trianglecycling.com forums, so that newcomers are less likely to become confused. We tend to use the "slow spokes" sub-forum for a lot of discussions that would probably be better elsewhere on the site. Regular users aren't confused, but I can sure see how it would be for newcomers.
RickF
04-03-2007, 08:28 AM
What Karen said is correct. I do not mind getting dropped. I can hang with Jay, Mike D, Jon, and Mark S for 15 to 20 miles, but that is it. When I go out with them, I expect to be dropped, but I am an experienced rider, so it does not bother me. I like to be challenged, and being dropped is part of riding at that level.
As Karen said, though, confusion can occur when rides are posted as Slow Spokes rides and they are not really Slow Spokes rides. I have nothing against fast rides, but they belong in the "Rides/Meet Ups" forum, and not in the Slow Spokes forum. We want to encourage riders of all abilities to learn to ride, and we do not want newbies to be left without an experienced rider with them. Even intermediate speed newbies should have someone riding with them. The least experienced rider is not always the slowest rider, but regardless of speed, inexperienced riders should not be alone. That is why we have started having sweepers at different speeds on the Wednesday rides. For the inexperienced riders, the Slow Spokes rides are more about learning skills and technique on the bike, and not just trying to hang on and improve their physical conditioning. We have several riders in the Slow Spokes who are in much better physical shape than I am, but I could drop them if I so choose. With an experienced rider riding with them, their skills can improve. If left on their own, their physical conditioning will improve, but they are not going to progress as rapidly or as far as they could, and they are not going to enjoy the ride as much as they should.
I am not saying that anything was done wrong on Saturday. I would not know, because I was not there. It sounds like Betsy might have been the slowest rider there, and if that is the case, and if she did not mind riding alone, then there was no problem this time. In the future, though, rides like Saturdays should be posted in the "Rides/Meet Ups" or there should be a strong disclaimer that this is not a Slow Spokes ride.
To clarify, Im not singling anyone in particular out. I was just making a preemptive strike :)
And Betsy, I mentioned you in particular because I wanted to once again thank you, not because you belonged in the rest of the context of that post :)
Zonda
04-03-2007, 04:28 PM
Rick, very eloquently stated!
Thanks for all the suggestions as to how to handle pickup rides. We can post pickup rides in the Rides/Meetup section on the main page and Slow Spokes no drop rides in the Slow Spokes section. The pickup ride announcement should mention it is not a no drop ride. I will also post something in the Slow Spokes information thread explaining this.
I want to thank Michelle for suggesting the change to separate Slow Spokes rides from pickup rides. It was a great idea and will help ensure new riders aren’t dropped. Also, now there is a place designated to post rides for those who want to continue to improve their skills.
Jay, thanks for offering to wait at turns.
Jon, thanks for the suggestion to move threads. I spoke to Jay about this. Since many people are new to the forum, we are going to leave it as is for now. As people become more familiar with the forum, they will find other sections and post there. I may occasionally move a thread with a question that has been overlooked like Perry’s question about saddles.
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