New Slow Spokes Rides For 2009

[FenderFreek]

I'm getting back in the saddle again this year. I'd gotten lazy about group riding over last winter, just doing MTB trails after work, so I'm going to try and get back into the road thing again.

I'll probably be seeing you a lot more on Wednesdays and weekends, but Thursdays are mostly out because of class.

[epiwonder]

I can't ride on Thursday nights until mid-May. What are the Wednesday night rides like? Are there groups that average 13-15 mph? I'd like to get started in building up my distance (can do 20 mi and probably more w/o much problem). Riding with a group and meeting people who love to ride gives real incentive! Thanks, Jane

[RickF]

Originally Posted by epiwonder

I can't ride on Thursday nights until mid-May. What are the Wednesday night rides like? Are there groups that average 13-15 mph? I'd like to get started in building up my distance (can do 20 mi and probably more w/o much problem). Riding with a group and meeting people who love to ride gives real incentive! Thanks, Jane

The Wednesday ride is ride at your own pace. Just like the Thursday ride, the Wednesday ride is ride out until half way until sunset, then turn around and come back. How far you go depends on how fast you ride. There are no groups as such on Wednesday, but people who ride at the same pace do tend to form their own ad hoc groups. There probably will be other people in the 14 to 15 mph range, but there are no guarantees.

The Thursday ride is designed to be a group ride. No one will be dropped on the Thursday ride, so everyone will ride in a group. On Thursday, though, there is no guarantee that the group will go as fast as you would like. Last week, the slowest group averaged 12.2 mph, but the fastest group was only slightly faster at 12.8 mph. The average speeds will vary from week to week depending on who shows up. The speed of the groups is determined by the slowest rider in the group.

[Pugslyyy]

Originally Posted by epiwonder

I can't ride on Thursday nights until mid-May. What are the Wednesday night rides like? Are there groups that average 13-15 mph? I'd like to get started in building up my distance (can do 20 mi and probably more w/o much problem). Riding with a group and meeting people who love to ride gives real incentive! Thanks, Jane

The Thursday ride is definitely a more gentle introduction than the Wednesday ride. Wednesday is a lot of fun but definitely more of a free for all. There are so many riders that it is very likely you'll end up riding with folks at the same pace as you, but there are no guarantees. On the Thursday ride there's a guarantee.

[aww2970]

Hopefully, weather will cooperate to get in a Thursday ride ..... currently looking a bit iffy. Wayne

[JimCoughlin]

Where does the beginner ride on April 19th start and what is the start time.

[RickF]

Originally Posted by JimCoughlin

Where does the beginner ride on April 19th start and what is the start time.

The beginner ride on Sunday, April 19 starts at 2:00 PM at Ritter Park on Lochmere Drive in Cary. Go to this thread for details.

[JimCoughlin]

Thanks Rick.

[pzordich]

I have been wanting to join this group for a year. Now I'm going to. The only way I can do it is to bring my 10 1/2 yr. old son. He has a beautiful road bike because my husband is a serious cyclist. My son is also a great swimmer so he's used to working out. I hope this will not be a problem. Is there anything we need to know other than what Zonda mentioned? We'll bring water, wear bike shorts, have our bikes - anything else?
Thanks,
Patti

[RickF]

Originally Posted by pzordich

We'll bring water, wear bike shorts, have our bikes - anything else?

Helmets and waivers are required

Also, you will have to be responsible for your son. We allow minors with parents, but we cannot be responsible for unaccompanied minors.