This weekend will mark my first racing efforts of 2008, the delay is due to numerous reasons of whihch I will not get into right now. Bottom line is that I can finally get out and play "racer-boy" with the rest of the world. I needed to get some effort in last night but, I was not really looking to get hammered into the ground during the normal "death march" session at 6:00pm so I opted for the more relaxed version which I have dubbed the "B" ride because this ride is the brainstorm of Brent from
Bike Tech. Here's a short rundown of the rides that leave from behind his store. All rides meet behind Bike Tech on Tuesday and Thursday nights, leaving the parking lot at their designated times.
6:00 PM - The "A" ride/TNWC/Death Ride is a full blown training ride at a high pace and usually lasts for 90-120 minutes. Pretty much race pace, small towns are used for regrouping areas, the ride usually does not wait up for those riders who fall off the back. Routes are chosen based on wind direction and time of year as daylight permits. Along each route there are several "Stop Ahead" signs that are used as sprint points.
6:15 PM - The "B" ride follows many of the same routes as the "A" ride although they may be shortened on occassion. These rides are not meant as full on race pace and are therefore much more inviting to a new rider to group cycling. They will give the rider an opportunity to meet some locals, learn the routes, learn to ride in a group safely, and most importantly, have fun. Sprint points can still be used but, they are geared more towards the fun side and help to push each other just a bit. This group ride could potentialy become very popular with bringing in new(er) riders.
6:00 - 6:10 PM - The "L" ride (for the Ladies) is headed up by the great local female phenom, Kat Porter. These rides include riders of all abilities and are intended to motivate more women to ride in a safe group of people in a more social manner. Skills can still be learned here as well as friendships, routes, and more fun.
Last nights "B" ride was exactly what I needed, closer to a recovery ride with a few short efforts here and there. There were five riders that made it out of varying abilitites and I have been told that it does get bigger on Tuesdays. The "A" ride does that too. I spent the vast majority of the time out front talking away while the legs got back to normal. Some of the efforts included a couple of sprints, chasing down my brother on his breakaway (couldn't let him do that), and pulling the group into the wind from 27th street South to Dike. It was actually a lot of fun and I hope that the "B" ride grows into a ride that brings out more riders.
Read the complete post at http://carlosdajackal.blogspot.com/2008/07/group-ride-on-down-low.html