Achievement(s)

"Peter Scandrett" <[email hidden]> wrote in message in South
Manchester, and was wondering if there's any groups out

Quoted message said:

there that I could join for the occasional gentle pootle. I'm aware of the
Chorlton Wanderers -
http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/cycling/chwan.htm - which seem to be
great but are not quite ideal as they seem to go further than I know I can
manage. I reckon that the 34 miles I did the other day is pretty much on
my limit, but they tend to do 30-50 miles each time which I think for me
is pushing it. I might be able to cope, who knows, but I don't want to go
and be stuck somewhere and become a liability for people.

I would choose who you join carefully Peter, so you don't end up with the
"wrong" group. My best distance was 235 miles and I though I was fairly fit
and so joined the local road club. They were much fitter than I was and I
went out with them twice a week and took a good kicking every time. I have
lost count of the number of people who have turned up, got hammered and then
slowly drifted away after getting sick of being left behind. In fact, they
seem to take delight on seeing them put off, which seems wrong to me.

As it happened I stuck with it and got sucked into time trialling which is
another form of misery altogether ;-) There *are* groups out there who just
go out for a jolly, but if you turn up with a bunch of guys in cool shades
and carbon road bikes, run as far away as possible or take the beating on
the chin week after week.
Looking at your group in Chorlton Cum Hardy though, they seem like the sort
of group who are on a social ride rather than my lot of assassins, so you
should be OK there. Don't worry about the distance, you'll be pleasantly
surprised at how far you can ride in a group rather than solo. Good luck.

--
Simon Mason
http://www.simonmason.karoo.net

"Simon Mason" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Looking at your group in Chorlton Cum Hardy though, they seem like the
sort of group who are on a social ride rather than my lot of
assassins, so you should be OK there. Don't worry about the distance,
you'll be pleasantly surprised at how far you can ride in a group
rather than solo. Good luck.

Even then beware. When my father took up cycling after a quad bypass he
contacted the local "social" group up in Lancashire to see if there was one
he could join on rides. They offered him the choice of three weekly rides
- the short one was 60 miles through to the long one of 120 miles into the
Pennines.

Might be worth trying the South Manchester CTC group B runs
http://www.smctc.org.uk/ & http://www.gr496.btinternet.co.uk/runs.pdf -
you don't have to be a member to go on the rides, just turn up at the
designated time and place.

--
Tony

" I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong."
Bertrand Russell

Quoted message said:

Might be worth trying the South Manchester CTC group B runs
http://www.smctc.org.uk/ & http://www.gr496.btinternet.co.uk/runs.pdf -
you don't have to be a member to go on the rides, just turn up at the
designated time and place.

My local CTC group have a meet structure which I have yet to sample,
but they go out on a Saturday for a couple of hours with a substantial
stop for tea, and their longer rides you can stop at elevenses, or
join then, which seems very welcoming to a variety of abilities.

They emailed back in nice responses to my enquiries; I have bought
the inner tube, but have only one tyre lever...

I have found one place where they start - Nonsuch Park - and might
even get there one day...

--
Charles
Brompton P-type T6 in Motspur Park
LCC; CTC.

Quoted message said:

Shall I just wait until I get a bit better? Or should I go for it
anyway? Or does anyone know of any groups or anyone interested in doing
the odd 15-20 m route? I'm very much a recreational cyclist (although I do
commute occasionally) and I enjoy going with people but don't like slowing
people down or otherwise inconveniencing people.

I was in the same position as you just over a year a go - furthest I'd
ridden was around 40 miles and I was just a (35 year old) 1000 mile a year
commuter.

Decided to take the plunge and tagged on to the local club Saturday morning
social ride (approx. 40 miles at an average 16-17mph with a cafe stop). My
first ride I found out that my maximum heart rate was actually 10bpm higher
than I thought it was! Second time I was getting left behind and no less
than the club chairman dropped back and towed me back on to the bunch. The
pace varies a bit depending upon numbers and conditions, and winds up for
the cafe stop sprint, but it's a good way to get used to group riding and
get to know people and other rides that are happening.

My club is, from what I gather, a bit unusual in that the Saturday morning
social ride does the same route every week. But there are plenty of other
options:

Saturday Social ride (as above)
Sunday Summer training rides - at least 2 pace options but normally 60
miles+
(some of these may just be little ring 16mph / Zone 1 + 2 HR, others at
sportif pace)
Sunday Winter training rides 60-80 miles @ 17-18mph average with cafe stop
Tuesday Summer Chaingang 40 miles @ 23-24 mph average (only stop for
crashes!)
Thursday Summer Time Trials
I think there also touring club rides as well.

I would assume that most clubs have a similar set up? Us southerners are
always told it's friendlier up north so I would be surprised if you could
not find a local club who are welcoming and have a suitable ride to start
with. With the exception of the chaingangs I'd say all rides I do go out
with a "leave no one behind" attitude - that means everyone stops when
someone gets a puncture. The times I, or someone else, have had to drop off
a training ride we at least check they know the way home and have some money
/ food and a phone.

Everyone takes a kicking at some point - I've taken a fair few this year,
mainly in races, and also ridden in some horrendous weather including racing
in the most torrential rain I have experienced in my life so far! But it's
the only way to get better / fitter and depending upon your goals you'll
learn a lot and get plenty of advice.

I'm definitely a "cool shade and carbon bike" roadie and have a decent
sprint, and I have started racing this year - which I had no intention of
initially - but can't say I've experienced any dishing out of deliberate
club hammerings and generally everyone is just out to enjoy their riding and
always encouraging.

So I'd say just go for it if you can find a "social ride" - you can minimise
any potential problems by knowing the route beforehand, choose one with a
cafe stop (so you can catch up and also get to know people) and take all the
usual bits like puncture kit, spare tube(s), money, phone etc.

Be careful though because it can get addictive and expensive!

I'd also say go and have a crack at a time trial even if it's just a "come
and try it" evening. Can be a different crowd but also welcoming and full of
encouragement for novices - the roadies will say it's boring but the testers
will maintain it's a truer showing of what you are really capable of.

For info, my first season achievements:
Reduced 10 mile TT time from a 25:46 to a 23:10.
Best 25 mile TT 1:00:19.
Won a 4th cat circuit race at Castle Combe and gained my 3rd cat.
Have managed to finished first and last in BCF races and club TTs in one
year!
Gone from owning 2 bikes to 5 bikes including significant amounts of carbon.
Now averaging at least 150 miles / 10 hours a week.
Still haven't ridden more than 100 miles in one ride though.

Good luck!

Regards,

Simon

"SAW" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Shall I just wait until I get a bit better? Or should I go for it
anyway? Or does anyone know of any groups or anyone interested in doing
the odd 15-20 m route? I'm very much a recreational cyclist (although I
do commute occasionally) and I enjoy going with people but don't like
slowing people down or otherwise inconveniencing people.

I was in the same position as you just over a year a go - furthest I'd
ridden was around 40 miles and I was just a (35 year old) 1000 mile a year
commuter.

Decided to take the plunge and tagged on to the local club Saturday
morning social ride (approx. 40 miles at an average 16-17mph with a cafe
stop).

Stop right there! It may not seem like it to you now, but 16-17mph is
actually a bit fast for many people. Of course the OP is best placed to know
if it's a bit high or not.

There are definitely more pootly rides about - I believe CTC groups offer
such things for example. Liverpool Wheelers is an example of a club which
does more that sort of riding.

cheers,
clive

Peter Scandrett said:

Hello

Quoted message said:

I did my furthest distance-in-a-day on Wednesday! 'Only' a smidgeon over
34 miles, but I was really pleased; Manchester to Warrington and back.

Congrats! That's about my limit, too. Like you, I'm hesitant to join the
local lycra maniacs because I know I would never keep up and just end up
annoying people.

One thing you might consider, that helped me a lot, is going on a bike
touring holiday that has van support. That way you can cycle as far as
is relaxing, but if you feel yourself giving out, you can just hitch a
ride on the support van.

Cheers and bonne continuation

EFR
Ile de France

"SAW" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'd also say go and have a crack at a time trial even if it's just a "come
and try it" evening. Can be a different crowd but also welcoming and full
of encouragement for novices - the roadies will say it's boring but the
testers will maintain it's a truer showing of what you are really capable
of.

Even then there are differing TTs. The ones across the Humber run by Barton
Wheelers are nice family events with old codgers on trikes and young lads. I
come about 15th out of 30 in their races and they are all up for a chat and
a laugh. Whereas in my own club TT, most people turn up, do the race and go
home again and not talk to anyone unless they're in their "clique". What
used to be a social event has left only the hard men who are serious and I
am lucky if I come 2nd or 3rd from last.

--
Simon Mason
http://www.simonmason.karoo.net

Peter Scandrett of urlwww.scandrett.net/url said:

Anyway, rather than just posting that, I thought I'd ask for advice too
- I'm in South Manchester, and was wondering if there's any groups out
there that I could join for the occasional gentle pootle. I'm aware of
the Chorlton Wanderers -
http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/cycling/chwan.htm - which seem to be
great but are not quite ideal as they seem to go further than I know I
can manage. I reckon that the 34 miles I did the other day is pretty
much on my limit, but they tend to do 30-50 miles each time which I
think for me is pushing it. I might be able to cope, who knows, but I
don't want to go and be stuck somewhere and become a liability for
people.

You've seen Chorlton Wanderers in my sig. What you don't know is that it is
very common for there to be a split off and some of the group to
deliberately do a shorter ride, an option I often take (and indeed lead).
I've had knee problems this year so haven't been out with them since spring,
but my knees are recovering nicely. Subject to agreement from my physio at
an appointment next week, I intend to go on the next ride. The October ride
should be a particularly easy one, and I fully intend to do less than 35
miles. So come along, look for the short fat one with hairy legs (see pics
http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/cycling/manc100.htm I'm in blue) and
we'll do something you are comfy with.

Quoted message said:

Shall I just wait until I get a bit better? Or should I go for it
anyway? Or does anyone know of any groups or anyone interested in doing
the odd 15-20 m route? I'm very much a recreational cyclist (although I
do commute occasionally) and I enjoy going with people but don't like
slowing people down or otherwise inconveniencing people.

I do rides like this on Sundays from South Manchester, often with Audrey
MacDonald who posts here occasionally, and sometimes others. If you don't
mind the company of several non-young non-skinny women you are welcome to
join us. We usually meet around Chorlton Water Park/Didsbury area. We go
slowly, sometimes have a cup of tea stop sometimes not, and aren't fond of
hills. Send me an email and I'll let you know the arrangements for next
weekend.

Sorry for late reply, I've been on holiday and only just read this.
--
Steph Peters
Chorlton Wanderers Cycling Group
Monthly slow and easy rides from South Manchester
http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/cycling/chwan.htm

Tony Raven of said:

Might be worth trying the South Manchester CTC group B runs
http://www.smctc.org.uk/ & http://www.gr496.btinternet.co.uk/runs.pdf -
you don't have to be a member to go on the rides, just turn up at the
designated time and place.

From personal experience I can assure you these rides are longer and faster
than Chorlton Wanderers rides. The South Manchester set up is to graduate
from Chorlton Wanderers to the CTC B's.

Steph
Been there, done that, got the cycling jersey ;-)

Hi

I wrote on 02/09/2007 11:37:

Quoted message said:

Anyway, rather than just posting that, I thought I'd ask for advice too
- I'm in South Manchester, and was wondering if there's any groups out
there that I could join for the occasional gentle pootle. I'm aware of
the Chorlton Wanderers

....etc

Just to say thank you to all who replied in this thread and privately -
it's much appreciated. I must also apologise for being so useless at
responding... it's six weeks later...

Thanks to everyone.

Peter

--
http://www.scandrett.net/lx/
http://www.scandrett.net/bike/