Speed for club runs

"Peter Rollason" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

I generally cycle around 30-40 miles on a sunday morning - and average 14-16mph - I was wondering
would this be fast enough to keep up on a club run ?

Pete.

Surely that would decide on the speed the club decided to ride at, which is normally the speed of
the slowest rider in many clubs.

Terry said:

Surely that would decide on the speed the club decided to ride at, which is normally the speed of
the slowest rider in many clubs.

Quite - your club are unlikely to drop you in the middle of nowhere! They are bound to be fairly
supportive and wait at the top of any hills you get up slowly (if you get up slowly). Remember
riding in a group is noticably easier as you can draft behind people if you find yourself
struggling. Anyway, having to keep up with people will give you a good bit of exercise.

--

-Alex

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I generally cycle around 30-40 miles on a sunday morning - and average 14-16mph - I was wondering
would this be fast enough to keep up on a club run ?

Pete.

On the road, thru the forest on a MTB?

My Sunday morning club ride is usually around 20mph over a distance of 100k. Some clubs have
different groups according to speed/distance.

--
Mark
____________________________
Practice does not make perfect... Perfect practice makes perfect

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Cycling clubs (real cycling clubs which race) usually do 18-20 mph average when training, but fun
cyclists do less.

I'm cycling for years and years and do 50-100 miles on a Sunday with friends. We're cycletourists
and usually average about 13.5, on hilly terrain. Our roads here are rough. Touring we average
12mph, faster in flatter terrain, and slower in severe stuff like the Alps.

One of the real pleasures is to get mates who all want to do the same average as yourself.

The fact that we are capable of averaging a lot faster than we do is neither here nor there. We have
done this for 20 years, the speed merchants always give up in the end.

"Peter Rollason" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

I generally cycle around 30-40 miles on a sunday morning - and average 14-16mph - I was wondering
would this be fast enough to keep up on a club run ?

As usual the answer is "it depends". Large clubs will often have more than one run or more than one
group on a run to cater for members of differing abilities. Your speed is currently a little below
that of the average club run and well below that of a fast one. However, riding with a group you
will find it much easier to go faster and further. I would say that you're unlikely to be
embarrassed by a lack of pace or endurance if that is your concern. Your best bet is to visit one
or more clubs in your area, ask if you can join them on one of their less fierce runs and see how
you get on. They will usually be happy for you to join in without insisting that you sign up
straight away.

Sometimes cycle shops organise runs as well. For example, there is a popular one starting outside
Sigma Sport in Kingston at 9:30 on Sunday mornings, usually with a choice of pace and distance.
Anyone can join in on this one.

If you happen to be out on your own and encounter a group going in a vaguely similar direction you
could just tag along. Most groups will be quite happy to let you do this especially if you introduce
yourself. "Hello, guys; mind if I sit on the back for a few miles?" is a fairly good opening gambit.

--
Dave...

Peter Rollason said:

I generally cycle around 30-40 miles on a sunday morning - and average 14-16mph - I was wondering
would this be fast enough to keep up on a club run ?

Depends if you mean a bunch of racers-in-training (no) or a bunch of teashop crawlers (yes); I
average 15-16mph over such distances, and never have any trouble on the Reading CTC's leisure rides.
The Wednesday evening jobs can be quite fast, but riding in a pack helps.
--
David Damerell <[email hidden]> flcl?

In article <[email hidden]>, one of infinite monkeys

at the keyboard of 'Peter Rollason said:

I generally cycle around 30-40 miles on a sunday morning - and average 14-16mph - I was wondering
would this be fast enough to keep up on a club run ?

Is that over flat or hilly terrain?

Cycling in company has a psychological effect, that makes many of us[1] gain several mph without
apparent effort or fatigue. So a club that avarages a bit faster than you might feel quite slow.
OTOH, I wouldn't take that as a motivation to join a racer-dominated club.

[1] exceptions likely to include those who discipline themselves to go fast riding solo.

--
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Germany 0.8 (The Economist, July 2002)

Peter Rollason <[email hidden]> wrote ...

Quoted message said:

I generally cycle around 30-40 miles on a sunday morning - and average 14-16mph - I was wondering
would this be fast enough to keep up on a club run ?

At the risk of stating the obvious, it depends on the club......

However, in my area (Cheltenham/Gloucester), the answer would be Yes, provided that you avoid
anything described as a training ride. You might find the distances a bit more than 30-40 though.

Andrew

Quoted message said:

At the risk of stating the obvious, it depends on the club......

And what you want to achieve. Thankfully the distinction between club cycling and leisure cycling is
becoming blurred thanks to Audax etc. I was in your position 5 years ago and had a short sharp shock
into time trials within six months-absolutely hated it, but now riding much stronger and further
than before even though given up racing.

I ride on Sundays with a group which includes a couple of 80 year olds, and the average speed has
dropped over the last couple of years, and now sometimes doesn't make double figures. The long waits
at the tops of even the slightest hill are made worthwhile by the good companionship. I'd say the
answer is to tag along with some local clubs until you find the one that suits. If you're into
fitness, look for one that goes just that little bit faster than you, but if you're out for
pleasure, get a club that rides at your speed.

--

Martin Bulmer "Mixless Foot Persuasion"

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

Quoted message said:

I generally cycle around 30-40 miles on a sunday morning - and average 14-16mph - I was wondering
would this be fast enough to keep up on a club run ?

Pete.