8 Ways a Group Ride is Like “Fight Club” – Part 2
Yesterday, I posted Part One of 8 Ways a Group Ride is Like “Fight Club.” I encourage you to read the introduction to this series from yesterday’s post before launching into today’s. This post won’t make much sense otherwise. Here’s the continuation, Rules 6, 7, and 8, with adapted explanations for a Group Ride:
#6 – No shirts, no shoes.
- There are some rules when it comes to basic, essential attire in a Group Ride. That’s just the way it is. You don’t need a $5,000 bike, a pair of $500 Assos bibs, or the hottest Italian shoes in order to fit in but don’t expect someone to let you in out of the wind if you show up in board shorts and running shoes. You know who I’ll think twice about making room for in a paceline? The dude that shows up on the huge Saturday ride in a skateboarding helmet and t-shirt. Why? ‘Cause if he hasn’t made the basic investment in clothes that work then he’s tipped his hand that he shouldn’t be out there. And he’s probably riding a bike with loose skewers. I don’t want to follow that squirrely guy around a 90 degree downhill corner at 30mph.
#7 – Fights will go on as long as they have to.
- Some of the best advice I received about cycling came from a 55 year old friend who’s been racing for 40 years and owns multiple national and world masters championships. He told me to take a long-view of this cycling thing. There will be seasons of life where the miles and hours come freely. Other times, he told me, you have to scrap and fight to simply get out on the road a couple of times a week. A bad race or limited training time used to get me down. It would affect other parts of my life and leave me grumpy and pissed off. But you know when I’m most passionate about cycling? When it doesn’t own me and when it’s in its proper, prioritized place in my life. My 55 year old sensei told me that cycling tends to breed or bring out obsessive tendencies in us when it comes to getting the miles in but first things must come first, whatever that means in your life. Unless you’re riding the bike to pay the bills, time off the bike can actually be a good thing for regenerating your passion for riding. So take a long-view. The fight will go on. The road will still be there when you get back. Just make sure to get yourself back in the fight when the time’s right.
- This is initiation. If you’re headed out to your first big Group Ride, just know you will get dropped. I don’t mean your first Group Ride in a new area if you’ve been doing Group Rides for years in your old hometown. I mean, your very first Group Ride ever. Dropped. It’s ok. You’ll have aspirations, you’ll hang on as long as you can dangling off the back. But you won’t know where the ride twists and turns or where the regular surges go down. When I first started riding, it took me 2 months just to finish with the big Saturday ride and another 6 months before I started to feel comfortable in the pack. Six months! You may adjust more quickly. Just don’t beat yourself up if you can’t keep up for a few months. Keep at it. You’ll come around. You’ll get stronger. That’s why Group Rides are so awesome. A great truth about cycling that I’ve mentioned before: the best way to become a better, stronger rider is to ride with better, stronger riders. Just know that every single person in the Group Ride including the hot local pro and the old grizzly veteran had to start somewhere. And we all took our turns in those early days getting shelled and dropped. The best fighters at Fight Club have just been at it longer than most, persevering.
There you have it! Any reactions? Any insights to add? Would love to hear.
Ride on…
8 Ways a Group Ride is Like “Fight Club” – Part 1
There are all sorts of Group Rides out there. Some are recovery rides, some tempo spins, some hammerfests. My favorite Group Rides are like a boxing match. Not literally, mind you (though I’ve seen it happen). In the figurative sense, a great Group Ride should be great training. And great training is hard. Head down, pushing to hold the wheel in front, trying to coax another ounce of power from somewhere deep within. When it’s like a boxing match, someone hits out off the front and the group hangs on or chases. Then, there’s barely time to recover and BOOM someone else hits out. Over and over it goes. Barely hanging on. 101% of your maximum effort. Suffering. Too many cyclists ride too many miles in the comfortable, medium tempo zone. These kinds of boxing-match rides balanced with off-day recovery spins are the only way to get stronger. Easy recovery days should feel too easy. On your hard days of training, it should be really hard.
If you’ve seen the movie, “Fight Club” you know that the fights aren’t so much a boxing match as an all-out street brawl. Before you think I’m going all machismo here, let me point out that it’s not a movie about fighting for fighting’s sake. For the characters in the movie, fighting becomes therapy. As the story unfolds, fighting is a metaphor (I guess the screenwriter could have chosen some other backdrop like fly fishing or something but Ed Norton and Brad Pitt punching each other in a basement sell more tickets). I’m obviously not advocating fighting but I am saying that competitive, safe Group Rides are therapy and even a metaphor if you want to see it that way. My favorite Group Rides are like Fight Club.
Here are the 8 rules of Fight Club with adapted explanations for a Group Ride:
#1 – The first rule of Fight Club is, you do not talk about Fight Club.
- It’s usually difficult to find information about Group Rides except for possibly a start location and departure time. Occasionally a bike shop website will list rides. Apart from start location and departure time, the listing might read “fast” or “challenging” or “B group” for a slower ride. But when it comes to what the ride is actually like (friendly, competitive, hardcore, etc), you don’t know what the ride is really like until you get out there and do it. Regulars or veteran riders might be able to give you a few insights or tips but experience is the best way to find out. Because outside of the Group, regular people don’t really talk about it. Not because it’s some big secret but because most of the world doesn’t really understand the allure anyway. Kinda like Fight Club. So get out there.
- Ditto. See above.
- If someone goes down, usually the ride stops unless it’s one of those huge Saturday morning Group Rides. In that case, a small group of riders will stop, usually the friends of the fallen rider, but the rest of the ride will most likely continue. I’m not saying it’s right but watch what happens if there’s a crash on a ride with more than 50 people. If it happens towards the back, the front of the ride won’t even know what happened. However, on a morning ride (where the riders are usually more well-known to each other) or smaller Group Rides, when there’s a crash then the group stops. If it’s a really serious crash involving multiple riders or a car/truck/large stationary object, then the entire ride stops. Game over. Time to take care of a fallen comrade.
#4 – Two guys to a fight.
- Group Rides like Fight Club are competitive. And it is possible to be competitive and safe at the same time. It just means that riders are pushing each other. The best kind of Group Ride is one where you’re in it with riders that are stronger than you. I’ll say it again because it bears repeating: Ride with riders that are stronger than you. That’s the only way to get stronger.
#5 – One fight at a time.
- Get in the fight and do something. Don’t be a passenger. Go with the break. Chase down a break. Initiate a move. Pull through in the paceline. You’ll take your licks and you may even give a few. Maybe you’ll win a town-line sprint. Maybe you’ll get dropped. Either way, make sure you do something. As long as you went to all the trouble to wake up early, kit up, and take precious time away from your family, at least make it worthwhile. Ride hard. Get in the fight.
That does it for Part 1. Part 2 is HERE.
Ride on…
Your Weekend Training and Racing Inspiration
Halfway up a local climb
Ah, the weekend. Don’t know where you are but hopefully you can get in some long miles over the next 2 days. If you’re in California, maybe you’re over at Sea Otter tearing it up.
I take a lot of inspiration from quotes and on occasion tape a quote to the stem of my bike. Some have gotten me up long climbs & have kept me hanging on in a tough Group Ride long after I’ve wanted to sit up. Here are a few that have made it onto the stem or top tube:
“To be a cyclist is to be a student of pain. Sure, the sport is fun with its seamless pacelines and secret singletrack, its post-ride pig-outs and soft muscles grown wonderfully hard. But at cycling’s core lies pain, hard and bitter as the pit inside a juicy peace. It doesn’t matter if you’re sprinting for an Olympic gold medal, a town sign, a trailhead, or the rest stop with the homemade brownies. If you never confront pain, you’re missing the essence of the sport” – Scott Martin
“I know the pain of cycling can be terrible: in your legs, your chest, everywhere. You go into oxygen debt and fall apart. Not many people outside cycling understand that.” – Greg Lemond
“When you are having a devil of a job to stay with the pack, when you can’t remember your name and you can hardly see your own front wheel, it’s at such moments that you must remember that Coppi, Van Steenbegen, Poulidor, Gimondi and all the others achieved greatness only because they knew how to fight through these moments.” -Charles Ruys
When I read these, I’m reminded that it’s worth it. That I love this. Momentary pain and suffering are minor costs compared to the lifelong rewards of physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Do you have any inspirational quotes that you’ve taped to your bike?
Have a great weekend!
Ride on…
Thanks for Joining the Ride!
We’ve had a big few weeks here at Art of the Group Ride as readership has continued to grow since we launched 4 months ago. More and more of you have come along for the Ride and for that we’re extremely grateful. We’re all time-crunched these days so your internet browsing time is probably limited – so if you’ve enjoyed AGR posts, here are a few quick ways that you can follow along that will make the most of your time:
- Subscribe by Email – In the right-hand sidebar, you’ll see a box where you can enter your email address. You won’t receive any spam, just new posts directly to your inbox. WordPress is great like that. Scan it, read it, share it, delete it, whatever you like. Takes 3 seconds to decide & you’re moving on.
- Subscribe by Reader – If you haven’t discovered RSS feeds or Readers, this is the best way to organize and quickly scan through blogs that you like. I subscribe to about 200 blogs and regularly scan through post titles, stopping to read a few that seem interesting to me. I think Google Reader is the best out there. It’s free and easy. Simply head over to Google and open a free account. You’ll get a gmail address but you don’t have to use it if you just want to use the Reader.
- Become a Facebook Fan – You can find the AGR Facebook page HERE. This is a great way to stay in touch as new posts will show up in your News Feed.
- Follow AGR on Twitter – Join the Twitterverse. You can find the AGR Twitter feed HERE. I’ll follow you back too!
MANY thanks to Biking in LA, Richard at Cyclelicious, and Leslie at Go Faster! for linking to AGR over the past week. Also MANY thanks to John and Rachel at Bike Religion and Tony at Joe to Pro Cycling for partnerships in the past few months.
And MANY, MANY thanks to you for reading!
Ride on…
Tempers Flare as the Noon Ride Heats Up
Click on image to view interactive map of the Noon Ride in Palo Alto, CA
The Noon Ride got a little chippy today as tempers flared. Essentially, the issues centered around basic Group Ride etiquette. Without going into too much detail about today’s ride in particular, there are some basic, unwritten yet clearly understood rules that apply to all Group Rides. That being said, we’re all competitive beings and sometimes the adrenaline gets going and riders take unnecessary risks. Hopefully not too many, too often as unnecessary risks put not only the offending rider in harms way but the rest of the group as well.
Riding bikes in fast moving groups has certain inherent risks but when individuals take unnecessary risks on a regular basis, this is where the group must step up and point out the offense. Here’s a short list of basic etiquette based on what I saw on the Noon Ride today. These rules should really go without saying but I’m still amazed when they’re not understood or flat out ignored.
Here’s an additional thought after the original post: I want to clarify that these points of etiquette have not been invented by the author. Actually, all of the posts on this blog having to do with Group Ride etiquette are simply collective wisdom that’s understood by most cyclists who frequent Group Rides of all sorts. In other words, my comments here are based not only on my personal thoughts and experience but also on what I heard expressed from other riders during the Noon Ride. If you disagree with any of the points of etiquette below (or any listed in previous posts), I would actually love to hear about it. This blog is open to all kinds of questions and comments are encouraged (see comment box below). I would ask that comments keep a generally positive tone. My purpose for writing this post is not to bash, judge, or call out anyone in particular but simply to re-emphasize that it’s up to the Group to keep things in line and safe. Furthermore, I’m also not claiming to be perfect! At one time or another in my riding life, I’ve violated different rules and etiquette. My hunch is that we all have at one time or another. When possible I try to own up to any of my offenses and apologize when necessary. When the air is clear, we can all get back to the business of having a great, safe ride.
- Riders should never blow through stop signs. That being said, it would be hypocritical to say that we never run stop signs. There are a few stop signs on this ride in particular that we roll through (the front riders calling out “all clear” or “car” whichever the case may be) and everyone knows which ones they are. For example, there’s one at a dead end right turn deep in the back roads with little traffic (I’ve never actually seen a car there). The stop signs I’m talking about are at busy intersections where the Group is clearly slowing and stopping for other traffic on the road.
- If sitting 20 wheels back when the group slows for a stop sign, it’s considered poor etiquette to fly up alongside the group and blow past the front riders in order to gain an advantage as the group accelerates slowly out of the stop .
- If a rider is in a paceline and finds themselves on the front, that rider must do work like everyone else. If a rider is in a break, everyone must work. If a rider isn’t strong enough to work in a paceline or in a break like everyone else up there, then that rider should sit in the bunch rather than upset the tempo on the front.
- If a rider wants to hang around on the front but isn’t strong enough to do an equal share of the work, there’s a simple solution: Ride more and get stronger.
- If a rider is on or near the front, it’s the duty of that rider (and others up there) to point out branches, soda cans, traffic cones, baby strollers, etc for the rest of the group. It’s not optional. It’s the responsibility of the leaders of the ride. The best Group Rides have trustworthy leaders.
- If the majority of the group has to slow for a car or other obstruction, it’s poor etiquette to attack. If the group splits because of an obstruction, it’s good etiquette to wait for everyone to safely pass before dropping the hammer again. The last riders to pass through the obstruction should give an “all here” call.
- Don’t get tactical. There aren’t any trophies, podium girls, or photogs waiting for us at the end. “I’ve got a teammate in the break” is not an excuse for not doing work. Which brings me to my final point…
- I’ve written HERE about what a Group Ride is and HERE about what a Group Ride isn’t. Bottom line, it’s not a race. It should be hard, competitive, and challenging but it’s not a race.
When these things happen, my personal feeling is that it’s up to the group to hold one another accountable to safety and basic etiquette. I’ve written previously HERE and in other posts about the character of Group Rides. The character of any Group Ride is defined over a long period of time by a well-known psychological concept called Group Think. This can be a either a really good or really annoying truth. No single rider defines the character of the ride, but rather it’s the collective consciousness of the group itself. And it’s this collective consciousness that needs to define and enforce safe parameters for a fun, challenging, competitive and safe ride.
The Noon Ride is a great ride with great group of riders – and it’s generally safe and very challenging. A few guys stepped up today and pointed out to offending riders where unnecessary risks where being taken and poor etiquette was being displayed. It usually comes down to the veterans and leaders of the ride to speak up. We’re all out there to have fun and get some good training after all.
Be respectful. Ride safe. Ride hard. Everyone wins.
Ride on…
Anatomy of a GREAT Group Ride, Part 5
This post is Part 5 in the series Anatomy of a GREAT Group Ride. I highly recommend that you read PART ONE, PART TWO, PART THREE, and PART FOUR (below) before launching into this final addition. Along the way, we’ve taken a detailed look at the different phases of a great Group Ride, starting with the Meet Up and ending with what you read below. So here goes, the wrap up to a GREAT Group Ride:
- The Roll-Back – The Roll Back happens after the Lead Out and Sprint where usually there’s a regrouping of the pack. This is an often over-looked aspect of any ride but I contend that it’s actually the most social aspect of any Group Ride. The ice has been broken. The riders have shared an experience. First, conversation focuses on the ride and the sprint. Tactics are discussed, close calls are dissected, and memories of similar rides come to mind. Then talk drifts towards the days activities, work, family, etc. It’s during the Roll Back that I get to know the folks that I’m riding with and catch up with old friends. This also happens at the Meet Up but if it’s an early ride I’m usually still just waking up when the ride departs. At the end, it’s a different story. Adrenaline from the ride wakens riders up and chatter is usually louder and more animated. We’ve had the best possible start to the day: a great ride.
- The Coffee – The ride’s come to an end and a GREAT Group Ride usually winds up at a great coffee shop. Cycling and coffee just go together. Try Googling “cycling and coffee” and you’ll get almost 20 million search results (at least I just did). Great coffee after a great ride is just right. After a Group Ride, I don’t always have the time to sit and chat as work and the day’s activities are bearing down. But when I do have the time, hanging around the coffee shop with other riders feels like a luxury. For those who are self-employed, set their own work schedules, or just have more time on their hands, conversations over coffee can go well into the morning. Along with the Roll-Back, if you’re looking to get to know your fellow riders, grabbing a cup o’ Joe or espresso after the ride is the best way to go.
- Character – Does the ride remain true to what it is? Is it meant to be a recovery ride or hammerfest? There’s nothing more annoying than waking up fresh with a desire to go hard and find out that someone decided that this particular morning we weren’t going to break 18mph. On the other hand, if I roll out to a Monday ride that’s well known as an easy spin because everyone’s usually recovering from a weekend of racing and a few riders skipped the races and decided to make our recovery ride a hammerfest, that’s my cue to find some other place to ride. A great, long-standing ride sticks to it’s character…or riders will go find another ride.
- Aesthetics – Finally, great aesthetics do matter. A Group Ride through the urban jungle may be all that’s available during the week but make sure to find a Group Ride that gets you out into the country at some point. The landscape of a ride, where the road takes you, across rolling fields, up a beautiful climb, adds to the adventure and sense that the bicycle is taking you somewhere. We all fell in love with the bicycle as children because it was this vehicle that allowed us to leave behind the 4 boring corners of our neighborhood and opened us up to a world of adventure. That feeling doesn’t have to go away just because we’re all grown up. The bike can still take you to beautiful, less traveled places that most people have never even seen.
Well, there it is! Hope you’ve enjoyed this series. Here are links to the series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5. Is there anything I’ve missed? Anything else that should be included in what makes up a GREAT Group Ride? Thanks for reading.
Ride on…
Anatomy of a GREAT Group Ride, Part 4
This post is Part 4 in the series, Anatomy of a GREAT Group Ride. I highly recommend that you read PART ONE, PART TWO, and PART THREE. As in the previous posts, some of these phases will seem obvious but I contend that most of us rarely take the time to fully observe the dynamics present that actually influence the rest of the ride. This series is designed to intentionally take a step back and consider the innumerable social and physical factors that determine the character, quality, and tone of the communal nature of training rides in large groups.
There are all kinds of Group Rides out there, some great and some not so much. Part One of this series in particular defines the various factors that go into making a Group Ride great. Before we jump in, the phases of a GREAT Group Ride leading up to this post are the Meet-Up, the Roll-Out and Early Stage, the Initial Surge, Attacks and Bridges, the Paceline, All Strung Out, and the Final Pulls. These are the phases detailed in previous posts.
So here we go, the final phases of a GREAT Group Ride:
- The Lead Out – Great, long-standing Group Rides almost always end with some kind of sprint. The Lead Out sets up the sprint and it’s where the sprinters come out to play. This is also quite possibly the most dangerous aspect of any Group Ride so it’s important to know what’s going on. The Lead Out is usually initiated by an attack where others follow or a veteran rider moving to the front and simply drilling it. Everyone familiar with the ride will recognize this when it happens. If you’re new to the ride, it’s best to sit in and watch how things unfold. Every Group Ride and Lead Out has it’s subtle nuances and regular players know one anothers’ tendencies. This is key in a Lead Out on an open road with 20 or more cyclists traveling faster than 30mph. You don’t want someone in there who doesn’t know what’s going on. When you’re sufficiently familiar with the ride and other riders’ tendencies, you might feel ready to mix it up. When you’re ready, your timing and choosing the right wheel to follow are key. When you’re in the mix, the one thing you cannot do is lose a wheel or open up a gap. This is simply bad form and will identify you as an unreliable wheel. So hold the wheel in front of you. Usually the first few riders know the job: go as hard as you can for as long as you can then slowly and smoothly move off to the right. Do not move out of line to the left, out into the road. When you find yourself on the front, don’t get tactical, just go as hard as you can for as long as you can. If you wanted to contest the sprint and find yourself on the front too early then recognize where you are and what’s going on: you messed up your timing or place in line. You’ll have another chance tomorrow or next week to get it right so just get down with the job at hand and ride hard. If you pop, pull off to the right slowly and smoothly. If you’re in a good position a few wheels off the front, 100 meters or so from the line, then you’re in a good spot to sprint.
- The Sprint – The sprint line is usually a road sign or other roadside marker. Just like in the Lead Out, if you’re new to a Group Ride it’s best to sit back and watch as the sprint “line” is not always easy to pick out. Veterans of the ride usually aren’t quick to point out where it is to newcomers as this may encourage those unfamiliar with the ride to join in the high-speed finale. And for good reason. If a rider is unfamiliar with the location of the sprint then they’re most likely unfamiliar with the subtle nuances of how a the sprint unwinds on a particular ride. Even strong riders new to a particular Group Ride would be best served to take part in the Group Ride for a few weeks before stepping into mix. So you’re in a good position from the Lead Out and you’re ready to uncork your final burst for the line. If you’re second in line 100 meters out, perfect. Wait for the Lead Out rider to pull off and launch. Above all else, hold your line and sprint straight. It’s most likely that all hell is breaking loose behind you as riders try to match your sprint, follow your wheel, or come around you. You’re on an open road with traffic too so all this is going down in the narrow area from the shoulder/bike lane/part of the right lane. If you’re a few wheels back and start your sprint early to try and come around the riders in front of you, it’s a good idea to take a glance to your left to see if someone is coming around you. Do not sprint or try to come around riders on the right (shoulder side of the road). And don’t take your attention off the wheel in front of you. A lot is happening here in the blink of an eye and realistically it takes years of experience to do this well AND safely. I’ve had riders go down right in front of me because someone up front swerved out of the Lead Out unexpectedly to start their sprint. This is bad. Additionally, if there’s a car coming up from behind, that kills it. Sprint over. So hopefully the riders behind the Lead Out will have your back and give a “car back” call. If all goes well, if the Lead Out and Sprint are done safely and smoothly, you’ll get that great rush of flying along north of 35mph with your guts in your throat. Maybe you’ll even win a sprint or two! But remember, it’s not really a race after all. Unnecessary risks are not worth it. We’re all out here to have fun. Identify consistently unsafe riders and stay away. Or better yet, calmly point out (after the testosterone from the sprint dies down) an unsafe habit or move that puts the rest of the ride in jeopardy. Be safe above all.
Tomorrow we’ll wrap up this series and take a look at the final stages of a GREAT Group Ride. Here are links to the series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5
Ride on…
The Spectrum Ride: March 12th, 2011
The Spectrum Ride is my regular Saturday spin. Leaving from Cupertino and heading north on Foothill Expressway, the ride winds it’s way through Portola Valley and out Canada Road to the turnaround point at Hwy 92. It’s as fun and sketchy as any large weekend Group Ride but yesterday morning was more interesting and sketchier than usual…before I go on, here’s video posted on YouTube by CyclistAndre to give you a brief overview of this institution of a ride:
Thanks for posting CyclistAndre. Don’t know who you are but cool video bro.
Interesting and chaotic notes from yesterday’s Spectrum Ride:
- It was strung-out most of the time. Usually, like many Group Rides, the Spectrum Ride vacillates between surges and regrouping but not today. Even with my slow meandering out and back from the ride, I averaged just over 21 mph for 3 hours (the actual ride is about 2 hours) which means the ride probably averaged in the upper-20’s.
- Cops were everywhere. They were pulling over cyclists at virtually every stop from four corners in Woodside, out Canada, and even at Alpine/Portola in the valley. Tough to get a group of 75 riders to all stop and put a foot down but when a $400 citation is at stake, we’d all rather stop and chase like maniacs than take the hit.
- Road rage was all the rage. I swear, it seemed like every car or truck that came up behind us laid on the horn for minutes. At one point on Portola Rd, a Ford F-150 brushed my elbow as I was in the bike lane and revved his engine at the front of the group while laying on his horn…and then…
- A rider tried to throw his bottle at the truck. I say “tried” because he completely whiffed and hit the rider next to me in the side of the head with his bottle. Don’t throw your bottle, dude. Even if the Ford is the most obnoxious driver on the planet (which he was), throwing bottles sucks. Especially if you hit a fellow rider in the side of the head.
- After the F-150 passed the middle part of the group, it swerved in the direction of the front of the group then drove off. This created a major split in the group as those of us behind the incident slowed down to see what Mr. Insane Maniac Driver would do. When he drove off, we had to chase back on to the front group. As we got down to work, 6 of us started a nice, even, fast paceline and then a few riders unfamiliar with how to work in a paceline would pull through and wreck it. Surging, not pulling off, not holding wheels, not pulling through, it was all frustrating. It still surprises me that so many riders still don’t know how to ride in a paceline properly. But we eventually caught back on.
I should probably post on proper paceline etiquette soon.
Anyone else out there on yesterday’s Spectrum Ride? Hope your Saturday Group Ride was super fun and less harrowing than mine!
Ride on…
Bike Religion Saturday Morning Group Ride
At 7:30am on Saturday mornings, the Bike Religion crew hosts a Group Ride leaving from the shop at 149 Riverside Drive in Newport Beach. If you live and ride in the Orange County area, you’ve got to check it out.
In case you’re new to this Group Ride thing, here’s why they’re so important for cyclists of all skill levels:
It’s a fact that the strongest cyclists regularly do Group Rides. If you’re even vaguely interested in becoming a better, stronger rider then you need to find a Group Ride near you that fits with your aspirations and get out there. If you’re a regular on a Group Ride then you already know this and you’re reaping the benefits. Being a regular on a Group Ride gives us challenge, motivation, accountability, fellowship, a goal, and a little bit of daily purpose alongside our bigger purposes. When you get the kids to bed on time, get yourself good sleep, wake up early before anyone else, push yourself on the road with those like-minded, and have more fun before 11am than most people have all day then you know you’ve stumbled upon something worthwhile.
A good Group Ride can change your life. Seriously. If you’re a regular on a Group Ride, it already has. You’ve become a better, stronger, faster rider (and maybe even a better person) over time because of your passion and participation.
There are all kinds of Group Rides out there, some great and some not. So you need to know what you’re getting yourself into before you head out. The great aspect about the Bike Religion Group Ride is that riders of any fitness level will fit right in.
So you know what you’re getting yourself into, here are the Top Ten Reasons you should do Bike Religion’s Saturday morning Group Ride:
- Discipline, Motivation, and Inspiration – I find that when I’m disciplined enough to get out of bed to jump in with the group, I’m also more disciplined in other areas of my life: quality time with my family, patience with my toddler, work, sleep, diet, and other life priorities. I’m more motivated to train consistently when I know there are friends out there waiting for me. Additionally, it’s easy to find inspiration when riding with others. I learn a little bit every Group Ride – how to be a better bike handler, when to push and when to sit-in, how the newest gadgets and products work, and how to drive myself just a little bit further.
- Training – The physical, psychological, and emotional benefits of regular exercise are obvious and well-documented. Add to this, because there’s usually someone stronger than you in the group, there’s no better training than riding your bike with others stronger than you.
- Therapy – Most likely, you’ll always in a better state of mind when you get home. The endorphins get going, your brain and body are in sync, and you’re doing something you love. If more people had a positive, healthy outlet like this, the world would be a much better place.
- Rhythm – Variety may be the spice of life but regular rhythms and routine are the foundation. The Saturday morning ride is regular and you can count on it. Life = family, work, eat, sleep, ride. Wash, rinse, repeat.
- The Cycling Tribe – There are few subcultures with more etiquette, opinions, unique customs and language, unspoken rules, and causes for celebrations. Not many people get it but if you do there’s a special sense of belonging. To the uninitiated, cycling is sometimes viewed as an individual pursuit or maybe something to be shared with a few friends. But you can only be Han Solo for so long. Something special happens when a group of riders all show up at the same place, chat for a few minutes, click into their pedals simultaneously, and roll away into the morning in a blur of color and harmony of movement. The Bike Religion group is a tribe. There are no dues, interest fees, or weird rituals but membership still has its privileges.
- An Escape – When you’re pulling along in a good paceline, you’re completely in the moment and there’s not much room to think about anything else. You’re able to forget about struggles at work or home and simply focus on the present. The struggles are obviously still there when you return but you’re usually in a much better frame of mind to face them than when you left. Also, see #3.
- A Reality Check – When I ride on my own, I generally take it easier than when I ride with the group. If I go too long without a regular Group Ride then jump back in after a lay-off, I know right where my fitness is. And it’s usually not as good. The Group Ride will make you a stronger, better, more consistent rider.
- Self-Selecting – You want to be doing a Group Ride that challenges you at times. So you have to know that there’s a hierarchy out on the road that has nothing to do with your job, paycheck, education, ethnicity, or background. It has to do with your legs. You will find your place in that hierarchy quickly. If you stick with it, you will move up. If you respect the Group Ride’s etiquette, your personhood will not be judged based on where you are in the pecking order; but your legs might. That’s fine because your legs will get stronger.
- The Center of Your Local Cycling Culture – Similar to #5 but on a larger scale, those who talk and think about cycling, spend the most money at local bike shops (or online), watch race coverage on Versus, and read the magazines/blogs/websites, are the same folks who frequent Group Rides. If you want to know what’s going on in a local cycling scene anywhere, go do a Group Ride. If you want to know what’s happening in the Orange County cycling scene, you must do the Bike Religion ride.
- The Bike Religion Crew is the REAL Deal – We’re talking about the best bike shop with the most knowledgeable and experienced team in Southern California. If you haven’t met the owners John and Rachel personally, be sure to introduce yourself. They’re a power couple but very unassuming and willing to help with anything you need. Rachel is a former PRO racer and in the other, male-dominated Group Rides in the area, she’s up there with the strongest riders. I remember suffering along in the Pro/1/2/3 race at El Dorado Park a few years ago, I looked to my left and there was Rachel spinning effortlessly and breathing normally in the men’s race while I was praying for a flat tire to put me out of my misery. John’s an amateur Cat. 1 but don’t be fooled – he does all the PRO races with all the PRO riders in SoCal and puts the hurt on all the young talent. To this day, one of the hardest efforts I’ve ever made on the bike was simply trying to hold John’s wheel in a race! That being said, the BR ride isn’t a hammerfest and you can trust it’ll be safe and orderly with these folks as your guides. What’s more, with these kinds of pedigrees, you can be sure you have a bike shop staff that knows what they’re talking about.
If Group Rides are the center of any local cycling culture, then the local bike shop is the nucleus. That’s where it all goes down. Bike Religion is where you’ll hear all the stories, get all the information, pick up all the wisdom and insight that you need to become a better, stronger, more informed cyclist. So now there’s really no excuse – get out there! You’ll be happy you did.
Ride on…
Anatomy of a GREAT Group Ride, Part 3
This post is Part 3 in the series, Anatomy of a GREAT Group Ride. I highly recommend that you read PART ONE and PART TWO. If you have, you’ll know that we’ve moved from the Meet Up and the Roll Out, through the Initial Surge, and are now into the heart of the ride.
As in the previous posts, some of these phases will seem obvious but I contend that most of us rarely take the time to fully observe the dynamics present that actually influence the rest of the ride. This series is designed to intentionally take a step back and consider the innumerable social and physical factors that determine the character, quality, and tone of the communal nature of riding bikes in large groups.
Here’s what goes on in the middle of a GREAT Group Ride:
- Attacks and Bridges – After the Initial Surge, the pack will tend to settle in for a moment. For many, the ride just got really hard so there are a whole lot of mental calculations going on: how do I feel? How are the legs responding? Where am I in the pack? Who’s up front? Who looks strong and who’s suffering? A hundred considerations go through each riders’ head in an instant. The group is sizing each other up. If you’re suffering, this is one of the most difficult things to do in cycling: attempting to think clearly and objectively while your brain and body go into oxygen debt. The first rider to finish these calculations and who’s feeling good usually attacks or at least tries to move off the front. This brings on a host of new questions: Do I go too? Am I too far back? Is the rider in front of me opening up a gap? Should I close it? There’s always someone ready to go. How the group responds will set up the rest of the ride.
- The Paceline – Based on the Group Rides I’ve been involved with over the years, there seems to be 2 schools of thought on this phase: Either a single rider pulls until fatigued then slides off OR a handful of the strongest riders that are committed to keeping the pace high put their money where their mouths are. I’m a big fan of the latter. Not every Group Ride forms a solid, well-ordered paceline somewhere in the middle of the ride but the GREAT Group Rides do. A smooth paceline is one of the more enjoyable aspects of cycling. It takes a group of riders working well together, understanding the intricacies of pace and bike-handling, and a setting aside of personal agendas. This is where you find out who’s come out to play for real.
- All Strung Out – One of the results of a consistent, strong paceline is a weary pack as riders dig deep to hang on. As a GREAT Group Ride moves along, things should go in the direction of a fast, single-file pack. A sure sign of a mediocre ride is a bunched up pack, rolling 3-4 wide, at a medium pace. This is one of the beauties of the Group Ride – the strong are at the front while the rest of us are just hanging on. A GREAT Group Ride is great training and digging deep at this point is why Group Rides will make you a better, stronger cyclist.
- The Final Pulls – Just before the Lead Out, it seems there are consistently a few riders that won’t commit to banging bars in a Lead Out but they’ve still got some extra fuel in the legs. If you do the same Group Rides long enough, you know who these riders are. I appreciate these riders because they keep the pace high when everyone is starting to get fatigued and they’re not content simply to sit in. So they pour whatever they’ve got left into a few Final Pulls before the more aggressive riders move to the front for the Lead Out. The Final Pulls may actually be faster than the Paceline that preceded it. For the riders still Strung Out, this may be the end of their ride. Popped and dropped. But no matter, the Lead Out and Sprint are not too far away.
I’ll cover the final few phases of a GREAT Group Ride in Part 4. Here are links to the series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5
Ride on…
Group Ride Insights from “Red Kite Prayer”
Red Kite Prayer is my favorite cycling blog, hands down. Padraig (author’s pen name) was a major contributing writer to the iconic, cult favorite Belgium Knee Warmers blog and branched off on his own to pursue RKP as his own creative endeavor and tribute to the sport we love. And are we glad he did! I would argue that few know as much about this great sport we love than he does. Just a quick view of RKP tells you that this guy possesses a wealth of knowledge on almost every aspect of the sport. The writing is compelling and there’s always something new. There’s my best recommendation. It’s just great stuff. Subscribe.
Each Friday, Padraig sends the world his Friday Group Ride posts. Topics vary but last week’s caught my attention. He writes that many years ago he was in a staff meeting at a well-known cycling mag and the question of how best to depict the Roadie lifestyle came up. Racing? Commuting? Centuries? This was his conclusion:
My opinion is the same now as it was then: The center of the bullseye of the roadie lifestyle is the group ride.
Not only do I agree wholeheartedly, but I’ve written HERE, HERE, and HERE (among other places) about the innumerable benefits of riding in a group including the fact that Group Rides are the center of any local cycling scene. If you haven’t guessed by now, it’s the major theme of this blog. Regarding Group Rides, Padraig said it well:
As the day-in-day-out social nexus of the riding community anywhere I’ve ever lived, group rides do more for cyclists than provide a great way to train. They offer the community a valuable way for riders to get to know each other and form bonds beyond the sweat that drips off them. I could never live some place that had no group rides.
If you’re a regular on a Group Ride, of course you already know this to be true. If you’re not a regular on a ride, you should seriously consider getting out there and finding a ride that suits your aspirations. You’ll be happy you did – not only for the training but also for the benefits listed in the RKP post: community, insight, motivation, and inspiration.
Head over to RKP now to read Friday Group Ride #58 and follow the comment thread as people weigh in on their local Group Rides from around the world. And subscribe.
It’s late right now as I type. Gotta get to bed. Group Ride in the morning.
Ride on…
AGR Interview with Olympic Track Cyclist Giddeon Massie
This is a follow-up from yesterday’s post, A Chance Meeting with an Olympic Track Cyclist. In 2008, I happened to meet Olympian Giddeon Massie at my local bike shop, Bike Religion* in Newport Beach. In the time since I’ve gotten to know Giddeon, he’s been racing for Bike Religion on the road and track all over the world in preparation for his 2012 bid to compete in his third Olympic games. In addition to competing in Athens and Beijing, he’s a 16-time US National champion and Pan-Am Games champion. If you’re unfamiliar with track cycling and it’s events, Giddeon’s a sprinter. And sprinters are a unique bunch. If you took someone with the power and strength of an NFL linebacker, the agility of a running back, the endurance of a 10k runner, the reflexes of a Formula One driver, the inward calm of a martial artist and the mentality of, well, a sprinter then you’re starting to get the picture. Track sprinting is one of the most compelling events in all of cycling.
Recently, I asked Giddeon to share with AGR readers about how he got started, his proudest achievement, and a few Group Ride insights. He was kind enough to oblige –
How did you get into track racing and what’s your favorite aspect of this unique side of the sport?
I began track racing when I was about 10 or 11 years old. Prior to that, I rode with my Dad on the road and began to do local group rides at about the age of 9 with him and 30-40 other adults. I challenged myself even at that age and would say, “Dad, today I don’t want to finish last on this hill,” or “Today, I’m going to finish in the front group of the ride.” My parents sought a place for me to focus those energies. Growing up in Eastern Pennsylvania, we were very close to one of the most prominent Velodromes in the US. With the free programs that are available to riders of all ages, like Air Products and Bicycle Racing League, my interest was piqued and my skill level was raised.
I think my favorite aspect of Track Cycling is the track craft that goes with riding the Velodrome, whether Enduro or Sprinter. I began my career with a focus on the endurance events, but only a short time later turned my focus to sprinting. The speed, closeness, and aggressiveness of that racing appeals to me. I’ll be a fan long after I’m finished competing.
What’s your proudest achievement as an athlete?
My proudest achievement as an athlete is not so much any particular win, but having the continual opportunity to look challenges, struggles, and defeat in the eye and overcome them. I believe, as an athlete, that is the most satisfying victory. I’ve competed in the sport at this level for over a decade all over the world, and let me tell you, I’ve lost and failed a whole lot more than I’ve won. But it is that “no quit, I will not let this beat me” mentality that has shown through. Those struggles are often blessings on the other end.
What’s your favorite pre-race music on the iPod?
My music taste is eclectic to the max, but I’d have to say most frequently, any kind of good trance podcast, Above & Beyond or Tiesto maybe.
Any Group Ride tips for people just getting into cycling or considering Group Rides?
My suggestion for group ride tips would be to come prepared. That includes making sure your equipment is in good working condition. Don’t have the inevitable mechanical and be forced to rely on someone else to fix it. Otherwise, grow accustomed to riding in a tight, professional looking group, don’t half wheel your partner and don’t be afraid to sprint for some city limit signs! Have fun with it, but most importantly be safe and anticipate that drivers don’t always recognize how quickly we are traveling, nor do they always see us. Be courteous and keep your eyes open.
You can follow Giddeon on Twitter at @GiddeonMassie and follow/support Team USA Track Cycling by visiting their website. Thanks Giddeon and good luck – we’re pulling for you!
Ride on…
*About Bike Religion: If you live in Orange County or Southern California be sure to stop into the Bike Religion shop at 149 Riverside Ave, just off Pacific Coast Highway along Mariners Mile in Newport Beach. The owners, John and Rachel Tzinberg, are a power couple – he’s a Cat. 1 strongman and she’s a former professional racer. They’re sure to get you whatever cycling-related products you need. If you’re visiting the area, they can hook you up with a high-end rental and point you in the direction of an awesome ride along the coast. BR has a great Saturday morning Group Ride that leaves from the shop at 8am and even offers free on-site bike servicing.
A Chance Meeting with an Olympic Track Cyclist
Back in 2008, I stopped mid-way through a training ride to chat with the guys at my local bike shop, Bike Religion in Newport Beach. There was a big dude I’d never seen before chatting with John Tzinberg, the owner. They were talking racing and John mentioned to the guy that Bike Religion was looking for some racers to put together an elite team. I was on the Cat. 3 team and laughingly suggested the new guy come on board our squad even though I could tell that he must’ve been a pretty big deal. “Probably hasn’t race Cat. 3 since high school,” I thought.
Some riders, even if you’ve never met them, you can just tell. Something about the ease with which they carry themselves or the way they hold their bike gives away the secret that they’ve spent years honing the craft. This guy had all that in spades with a style and uncommon humility that’s usually found only in truly exceptional athletes. These kinds of qualities are inspiring from a distance and deathly intimidating if you happen to line up next to them on the start line.
At the end of the conversation, he introduced himself, “Hi, I’m Giddeon,” and asked which way I was riding and could we ride together? Really? I took a glance at his slightly faded USA team kit and wondering if this was the real deal. We rolled and chatted about nothing in particular – the weather, the roads. I finally mustered up the courage to ask about his kit. Either he bought it off the rack or he earned it. Come to find out, Giddeon had just gotten back from China. Beijing to be exact. He had come out west to train before the Olympics at the ADT Velodrome in Carson and found the area to his liking. So he returned after the Games to live while he continued training and searching for his next ride. I thought, “I’m an idiot. This guy’s the REAL deal.” And the kit wasn’t from Beijing, it was from a previous year’s national team. Oh yeah, he was an Olympian in Athens 4 years prior too.
I have to admit I didn’t follow track racing but I’ve started since our meeting. Giddeon’s a really big deal in that world, though you wouldn’t know it by talking to him and he definitely won’t bring it up unless you ask. As we chatted on our ride, I discovered that the sport of track cycling has very little in the way of offering it’s decorated Olympians professional opportunities between Olympic games. So most athletes return home after training for four years and representing their country on the world’s largest stage to slim pickings when it comes to making a living in the Velodrome. This astounded me considering we’re talking about some of the best athletes on the planet. We chatted a bit about that and I was impressed, amazed really, with his honesty and openness to discovering the next phase of his journey. Stuff that would seriously stress me out, job hunting and relocating, he seemed to take in stride and had faith that his next move would be revealed – a path that will take him to London in 2012. If you’re counting, that will be 3 Olympics.
Over the next year and half, I got to know Giddeon as we chatted out on the Group Rides. I heard about his training and racing up at ADT, a kind of pain and suffering that I’ll never know. He’s a guy that takes on the challenges of his sport with a burning will but doesn’t take himself too seriously. I also got to hear about his passion for giving back, speaking to student groups, and volunteering his time for youth cycling clubs. He seems to accept the mantle of role model with humility, humor, and grace, appreciating his gifts while not taking them for granted. I don’t need to tell you that in the cycling world of entitled uber-athletes, a guy like this is refreshing enough to restore a fan’s faith in cycling. But don’t get me wrong with all this nice-guy talk, he rips the legs off the competition. On the boards, the dude takes no prisoners.
If you see Giddeon in the Group Ride, be sure to say hi and it’s guaranteed you’ll get one back. And if you don’t follow or support USA track cycling, you should.
Tomorrow, I’ll post a short interview I did recently with Giddeon. It’s filled with great insights and a few Group Ride tips to boot. Until then,
Ride on…
How to Tell If You’re a Group Rat
[tweetmeme only_single=false source=”artofgroupride”] A Group Rat is similar to the concept of the gym rat. Except replace all those hours spent inside a stuffy gym, replace with the great outdoors, add that beautiful piece of engineering called the bicycle, and stir in a healthy dose of riding with the group and you’ve got yourself the cycling version of the gym rat: the Group Rat.
Take this simple test to determine if you’re a Group Rat. Add up your acquired points. If none of the 3 statements describe you, take zero points. You’ll score it at the end. This is an entirely scientific process.
Question #1: The least amount of sleep I need before an early morning Group Ride is:
- 8 hours (1 point)
- 6 hours (2 points)
- I sleep for a few minutes on the trainer so I can get a good warm up before the Group Ride (3 points)
- 7:00am (1 point)
- 5:00am (2 points)
- I get up before I go to sleep (3 points)
- Oatmeal, a bagel with sausage egg and cheese, and waffles (1 point)
- Toast and a pop tart (2 points)
- I eat the night before so I don’t have to eat in the morning ensuring I’m not late to the roll-out (3 points)
- 50 (1 point)
- 150 (2 points)
- 300+ (3 points)
- Jam (1 point)
- Peanut Butter (2 points)
- Nutella (3 points)
- I don’t keep track of training miles (1 point)
- I track training miles in a notebook or spreadsheet (2 points)
- I download power and heart rate data daily and post to a blog or email to my coach (3 points)
- Quietly take my place at the back of the line (1 point)
- Roll immediately to the front and yell, “Alright Freds, who’s ready to suffer? Roll out!” (2 points)
- Roll up to a friend near the front of the group and chat (3 points)
- Sit in (1 point)
- Go sit on the front immediately and set the appropriate tempo (2 points)
- Roll through the front and quip, “Where’s the fire?” or “Must be a recovery day.” (3 points)
- Let the group determine my reaction. If the group stops, I stop (1 point)
- Attack (2 points)
- Call out, “Flat!” and wait for others to stop. If a good friend punctures, I definitely stop (3 points)
- Hang out for a few minutes then head to work (1 point)
- Sprint to the front of the line because I’m fast everywhere (2 points)
- Buy coffee for a few fellow riders, sit and chat (3 points)
Question #10: At the coffee shop at the end of the Group Ride, I usually:
Score:
I scored a 22 – middle of the Group Rat pack. How did you do? Leave a comment and let me know.
Ride on…
Motivation to Ride Before Dawn
Truth #1: If training and racing isn’t your full-time job then you probably work to pay the bills during daylight hours. Truth #2: Mid-week Group Rides are the workhorse miles. Sure, you may be able to get in back-to-back 5 hour rides on the weekends but if you don’t ride/train during the week, a few long rides aren’t going to do much for you. All this adds up to Truth #3: You’ve got to get to bed early enough so you can drag your butt outta bed a few times before work each week to get in those workhorse miles. That’s where things start to pay off.
Why a mid-week, early morning Group Ride? Because no one likes to get up that early to start a ride in the dark alone. Companionship, knowing you’re not alone in this crazy pursuit, makes all the difference when it comes to motivation. And the riders that regularly do these early morning rides are the strongest in your area. Those that regularly sacrifice in this way are the most committed, passionate, and fittest.
Which leads me to an inspirational quote that’s been getting me to bed on time and up before the crack to meet up with the Group:
You can’t get good by staying home. If you want to get fast you have to go where the fast guys are
-Steve Larsen
Ride on…
8 Things a Group Ride is Not…
- A race – It may be fast, occasionally aggressive, but only races are races. Group rides are training.
- Irregular or spontaneous – 3-4 buddies deciding to ride after work can be super fun but it’s not a Group Ride.
- Time to work on your TT position – Time Trial or Triathlon bikes do not belong in a Group Ride unless you’re pro. Handling a twitchy TT bike in a crowd is dangerous to all involved.
- Traffic-drafting practice – Those are not team cars in the Tour. That’s a line of traffic made up mostly of frustrated people on their way to/from work. If they hit you, you will be hurt or killed. This will ruin everyone’s ride and day.
- Time to catch up on your favorite podcast – You can rock out to/from the Group Ride but take the earphones out when the ride starts.
- A place to work out your issues – Riding is often therapy (see previous post) but don’t ride angry at the world. Most riders are just out to have a little fun, train, and gain some fitness. When we ride preoccupied, we tend to forget to point out road furniture or take that inadvertent shoulder bump way too personally.
- A ticket to the pro peloton – I’d be lying if I said Jens wasn’t an inspiration on occasion when I’m working on the front to bridge up. That being said, Group Rides are not the place to live out your pro dreams. No one’s battling for a contract or career. Group Rides are all in good fun and anyway most of us will always be hopelessly unqualified for anything other than our age-group races. Also, see #1.
- A traffic law testing ground – This is where we get a bad rap, much of it justifiably. We roll through stop signs, take up entire lanes, and generally act as if we own the road. But don’t blow through a red light intersection in an attempt to attack. Don’t swarm cars. Wave to drivers if it’s safe (or nod profusely) when they let you through.
There must be more. What else doesn’t belong in a Group Ride?
Ride on.
Anatomy of a GREAT Group Ride, Part 2
This post is Part 2 in the series, Anatomy of a GREAT Group Ride. To follow along, I recommend that you first read the intro to this series HERE. As we begin, many of these phases will seem obvious. Almost too obvious, I contend, but for most of us we rarely take the time to observe fully the dynamics present that actually influence the rest of the ride. These posts are designed to intentionally take a step back and consider the innumerable social and physical factors that determine the character, quality, and tone of the communal nature of riding bikes in large groups. That being said, here are the first three phases:
- The Meet-Up – A true, long-standing Group Ride has an established meet up spot that doesn’t change. Non-cyclists in the community know that at 6:30am every Wednesday or 8:30am every Saturday, riders descend upon the meeting spot like thirsty lions to a watering hole. If it’s a coffee shop (the best kind of Meet-Up location), local citizens rush to beat the line of the lycra-clad faithful getting their pre-ride fix and curse if they arrive just after the pack. You’ve seen it: men in suits, women in dresses all queued up behind a horde of duck-walking, click-clacking riders moving towards the barista. Just prior to the Roll-Out, the Meet-Up usually involves riders taking their place in line similar to the place they’ll find themselves in the actual ride. Don’t ask me why it happens this way. I’ve just found that whatever hierarchy exists out on the road usually starts before the pedals turn. In any case, the Meet-Up is the place to chat about the up-coming ride, recent races, and life in general.
- The Roll Out and Early Stage – A great Group Ride departs on time and late riders must chase or try to meet up out on the road. If you miss the Roll-Out, the choice is simple: ride alone or roll the route backwards if it’s a loop. If you choose the latter, just be sure to spot the group early and safely cross to the other side of the road so the group comes up behind you. Otherwise, it’s tough to catch on because by the time you see the group it’s usually moving pretty quickly and chasing a ride in full flight means a quick trip to the red line. The Roll-Out is most often called out by a veteran. One of my former Group Rides always started with the alpha-rider blowing on a CO2 powered horn he had attached to his bike. The horn was useful not only for calling the Roll-Out but also for warning cars who drifted into the bike lane. What’s more, a great Roll-Out has order. Riders clip in and take a place in line two across. Three or four across or an all-out mob is a sign of a messy Group Ride. A messy Roll-Out usually translates to a sloppy ride. Conversations continue as the warm up begins. This is the Early Stage. Attacks or surges in the Early Stage are bad form! The Early Stage continues for anywhere from 10-20 minutes until a determined point where the Initial Surge occurs.
- The Initial Surge – In an established Group Ride, there’s a determined point where the ride begins to heat up. Everyone familiar with the ride will know it. A roller or hill, maybe a particular intersection or corner. This phase begins not so much with an all out attack but more with a simple increase in pace. Heart rates begin to rise and riders move to the drops. It’s key at this point to find a good wheel to follow because it’s this wheel that will determine whether or not you spend most of the next phase of your ride bridging gaps. If you choose the wrong wheel and find the rider(s) in front of you beginning to fade, be prepared to move up. The earlier the better. You don’t want to wait for a full-on gap to open up because then you’re burning matches to close those gaps just to stay in touch with the pack. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a little challenge then you may purposefully sit on the back to put yourself anaerobic early. If you find yourself doing this often, I would suggest placing yourself at the front to begin with. If you’re strong enough to close down gaps at the back of the ride all day then you’re strong enough to sit on the front and take your turn in the wind. At this point, the group may begin to move into a single file with a steady rotation at the front.
From the Initial Surge, the ride is on.
In the next post, we’ll take a look at the middle phases of a great Group Ride including Attacks, Bridges, and Pacelines. Here are links to the series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5
Ride on…
Anatomy of a GREAT Group Ride, Part 1
[tweetmeme only_single=false source=”artofgroupride”] Some Group Rides can be no fun at all for a variety of reasons but how do you recognize if a Group Ride is a really good one? Or even a great one?
Group Rides come in all shapes and sizes. Some slow, some fast. Some organized, and some just all over the place. Whatever the ride, there are few aspects of cycling that are more enjoyable than a really great Group Ride (If you’ve never done a Group Ride and you’re wondering why it’s so enjoyable, I’ve written about it HERE). But actually defining what makes a Group Ride great is difficult. Over the next few weeks, I’ll spell out the Anatomy of a GREAT Group Ride.
The character of any Group Ride is defined over a long period of time by a well-known psychological concept called Group Think. This can be a either a really good or really annoying truth. No single rider defines the character of the ride, but rather it’s the collective consciousness of the group itself. That being said, any ride tends to take on the tones dictated by the strongest riders because the fittest most often impose the pace and quality. And the rest of the group responds. How the group responds to aspects like pace, momentum, and etiquette give the ride it’s character. Is it a hammerfest? A recovery ride? An even-tempo spin? Do attacks happen consistently in the same places? Character, quality, and tone.
It’s a good thing for the majority of us extremely amateur cyclists that the strongest impose the pace and quality because it means the ride will always be a challenge. If you’re like me, you don’t get up before the sun for a Group Ride to become a worse, less fit rider. We want to become stronger so we seek out challenging opportunities to ride with those stronger than ourselves. But we have to be willing to give in to the power, pace, and movement of the group in order to reap the benefits of good training. Oh yes, good training. The main reason why most of us do Group Rides according to the poll in the sidebar of this blog (according to 42.86% of you who have voted to date).
Maybe you’ve shown up and ridden a certain Group Ride and found it not to your liking. Why? What was it about that particular ride that you didn’t like? If you have a favorite Group Ride, what makes it so appealing?
I’ve recognized some common attributes in both great and sloppy Group Rides over the years, as I’m sure you have. As I spell out these attributes over the next week or so, I encourage you to take them with you out on the road. See where they show up and where they don’t. Maybe even give one of your Group Rides a rating based on these attributes.
So here we go – I’ll tackle this subject in a series of 5 posts. You’re reading Post #1. Post #2 will discuss the first few phases of a good Group Ride. Two follow-up posts will elaborate on the middle and end of the ride. The final post will attempt to spell out intangibles like Vibe and Aesthetics.
As this series takes shape, you may find that your Group Ride is lacking in a certain area(s). If so, please leave a comment. It’s my hope that fellow readers will offer suggestions as to how we might go about influencing positive change in our regular Group Rides. Who knows? Your good pre-work, mid-week spin might become a great Group Ride!
Here are links to the series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5
Ride on…
AGR’s First Post: 12 Things a Group Ride Is
[tweetmeme only_single=false source=”artofgroupride”] AGR is almost 2 months old now and if you’ve just tuned in, I thought I’d share the very first post from back in the day. Whether you’ve just jumped in or been with us since the roll out, thank you for reading!
A Group Ride is:
- Fun – If you enjoy hard, physical exercise, the rewards of an active lifestyle, and the camaraderie then, yes, it’s fun. Many times, however, in the midst of suffering like a dog during a hard ride, I’ve had to ask why I subject myself to this torture. Then the pain goes away (the ride ends or I get dropped) and I remember it’s fun.
- Regular, consistent, inclusive, and classic – Just so we’re on the same page, here’s a definition to try on: a true Group Ride has a name and has been going on daily or weekly for more than a few years. It’s also known in the cycling community as a regular ride, is usually open to all (except for specific team or club rides), and has a “reputation” (this is what I mean by “classic”). That reputation may be “fast,” “squirrely,” “slow,” or “recovery,” but Group Rides have a distinctive character that is known in the cycling community.
- Training – The physical, psychological, and emotional benefits of regular exercise are obvious and well-documented. Add to this, because there’s usually someone stronger than you in most groups, there’s no better training than riding your bike with others stronger than you.
- Free – Except for the untold thousands spent on your steed, kit, shoes, helmet, etc., there’s no charge.
- Therapy – I’m always in a better state of mind when I get home…even when I get dropped.
- Rhythm – Family, work, eat, sleep, ride. Wash, rinse, repeat. Variety may be the spice of life but regular rhythms and routine are the foundation.
- A Tribe – There are few subcultures with more etiquette, opinions, unique customs and language, unspoken rules, and causes for celebrations. Not many people get it but if you do there’s a special sense of belonging.
- An Escape – When I’m suffering along in a good paceline, I’m completely in the moment and there’s not much room to think about anything else. I’m able to forget about struggles at work or home and simply focus on the present. The struggles are obviously still there when I return but I’m usually in a much better frame of mind to face them than when I left. Also, see #4.
- Discipline – I find that when I’m disciplined enough to get out of bed to jump in with the group, I’m also more disciplined in other areas of my life: quality time with my family, patience with my toddler, work, sleep, diet, and other life priorities.
- A Reality Check – When I ride on my own, I generally take it easier then when I ride with the group. If I go too long without regular Group Rides then jump back in after a lay-off, I know right where my fitness is. And it’s usually not as good.
- Self-Selecting – There’s a hierarchy out on the road that has nothing to do with your job, paycheck, education, ethnicity, or background. It has to do with your legs. You will find your place in that hierarchy quickly. If you stick with it, you will move up. If you respect your Group Ride’s etiquette, your personhood will not be judged based on where you are in the pecking order; but, your legs might.
- The center of your local cycling culture – Similar to #6 but on a larger scale, those who spend the most money at local bike shops (or online), watch race coverage on Versus, read the magazines/blogs/websites, talk and think about cycling are the same folks who frequent Group Rides. If you want to know what’s going on in a local cycling scene, go do a Group Ride.
There must be more! What else is a Group Ride?
Ride on.
Common Pitfalls in the Group Ride, Part 3: Momentum
[tweetmeme only_single=false source=”artofgroupride”]I’ve saved this pitfall for it’s own post because it has the potential to make or break a Group Ride experience for you. If you’ve been following along, this is part 3 in a series that began with 6 Common Pitfalls in the Group Ride and Common Pitfalls in the Group Ride, Part 2. How many times have you found yourself in a bad position in the pack going around a corner or up a hill? And how often during a ride, especially when you’re on the limit, do you actively engage in thinking about the strategy of your position? This pitfall has to do with how you position yourself.
Confession time: if I get dropped in a ride or race, it’s most often because I’ve had consistently poor positioning which results in bad momentum.
Let’s face it, there are very few of us that can sit on the front and dictate tempo throughout an entire ride. If you can, then this post may not apply to you. If you can’t, then I’ll bet you find yourself in many different positions in the group throughout the ride. If you’re not on the front, then sitting in is the best place to be. But if you’re not moving forward then you’re probably moving back. It’s an issue of momentum. Here’s the pitfall and how to think through it:
- Losing Momentum – Any time the group hits a transition in your route (say a 90 degree turn, the start of an uphill roller, or the bottom of a climb), the general tendency for the middle or back of the group is to slow slightly. This is bad if you’re in one of these positions. The problem is that the front of the group will carry their speed and even accelerate through the transition. The result is the Yo-Yo or Accordion effect (see #2 in 6 Common Pitfalls). This acceleration accentuates the momentary hesitation of the middle/back of the group and you must work twice as hard, even sprint, to match the speed of the front of the group once you’re through the transition. Match burned. If I find myself in the middle or back of the group at the bottom of a roller, here’s what I’ll do:
- Know the route and ANTICIPATE the slow down and impending surge.
- Well before the bottom of the roller, I’ll safely and smoothly move to the outside of the group. (See #3 and #4 in 6 Common Pitfalls) .
- As the transition begins, I’ll use my existing momentum and get out of the saddle, giving it a few hard pedal strokes. This propels me past slowing riders, moving me up towards the front of the group.
- Once I’ve matched my speed with the front of the group, there’s almost always a safe gap to smoothly move back in line. This isn’t cutting the line, per say. Invariably, another rider will open up a gap, I’m simply moving into that space and closing the gap. It may be borderline sneaky but it’s smart if done well and safely.
- Then, safely back in line, I can virtually soft-pedal as the group crests the top of the roller.
It’s a little bit more of a difficult situation if it’s a tight corner. Essentially, you need to be in a good position well before the corner. This is where your route knowledge comes into play. As best you can, you want to move up a few hundred meters before the group begins to turn even if you have to burn a match. Better to burn a match before the turn than burn it sprinting out of the corner to close down a gap .
There’s no moving up once the group is turning because there’s only so much room on the road and you want to hold your line. You don’t want to move over on anyone, bad form and unsafe.When you’re in good position and holding your line through the corner, you want to get back on the gas as soon as possible. Remember, the first few riders with a clean line are carrying all their speed and haven’t had to slow for an instant. That’s the speed you’ll need to match to avoid opening up a gap.
At some point if you’re in a bad position on a roller or in a corner, you just have to bite the bullet, slow down, then sprint. But doing this over and over puts even the strongest riders in the hurt locker. You’ll know better next time to be in a better position well before the roller or turn.
Hope this helps! Here are links to Part 1 and Part 2. More pitfalls coming soon.
Ride on…
MLK: The Power of Dreams
[tweetmeme only_single=false source=”artofgroupride”]The power of the human imagination is quite possibly our greatest and most human asset. We can perceive and envision events and states of being, a preferred future, that have not yet come to pass and then we can work to make them happen. On a small scale, we exercise this muscle all the time without even realizing it. As a cyclist, what gets you out of bed at 5:30am to meet up with a Group Ride? It’s your imagination, my friend. You have a picture of yourself somehow happier, fitter, stronger, leaner, or more competitive. Maybe you even have goals. If you have goals then you have dreams. We’re all dreamers. Turning a dream into reality is what makes us human. But some people have bigger dreams than most.
On this day that we celebrate one of the most influential social, political, and religious leaders in human history, let’s remember and extend his dream of racial and social equality by treating others with the dignity, honor, and respect that all people deserve.
More than a few writers and historians have described Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech as the most important in our nation’s history. If you’ve never heard the entire speech, you can check it out below.
And may Martin Luther King Jr.’s testimony to the power of dreams keep you moving forward in the pursuit of your own.
Ride on…
Good Sleep or Ride Lots
[tweetmeme only_single=false source=”artofgroupride”]This post is equal parts observation, confession and appeal. I posted a few weeks back in Rest as Hard as You Train about the necessity of giving your body plenty of recovery time as the miles increase. Ideally, we should all be getting 9 hours of sleep a night and a good nap after long base mile training. But apart from Saturday afternoon family nap time, I find this incredibly difficult. Maybe you do too.
In the 1970’s, when asked what his secret to training and winning races, Eddy Merckx famously responded, “Ride lots.” A great deal has changed in cycling in the past 40 or so years since The Cannibal was winning everything in sight: technology, training methods, and the sheer number of people who have fallen in love with rolling around on two wheels. But the connection between riding lots and success in cycling (however you define that) still has the ring of truth. In reality, if you take out the use of VO2 blood tests and time in the wind tunnel, the pro’s actually train in a very similar manner to you and me. Riding. The only difference is volume. And it’s a huge difference.
Observation: In order to maintain and possibly even improve as an extremely amateur bike rider and racer, I simply need to “ride lots.” Not as much as Eddy obviously but at least as much as Joel Friel thinks I should for my category. My goals aren’t too lofty, maintain some fitness and not get dropped too often.
I can’t think of a more time intensive recreational activity as cycling. A round of golf may take 5 hours but that’s usually not an everyday activity. Cycling takes time. Lots of it. It’s virtually a daily thing. As is often the case in life, when one says “yes” to one thing then one must also say “no” to something else. In my case, when I say yes to riding lots, I also say no to good sleep. I know that’s not the way it’s supposed to be. When you train more, you’re supposed to sleep more, giving your body the proper recovery time it needs.
Confession: But practically, to get the time in the saddle to be competitive in my race category, I need to get 3-4 pre-work rides (group rides usually) in during the week on top of long weekend rides. Usually, that’s between 6am and 8am. Which means a 5:30am wake-up call. Which translates to about 7 hours of sleep or less if I’m really disciplined and we can get our little one to bed on time. Add to that, I’ve been really enjoying this blogging thing but it’s a late night activity (the only free time I have to write). So that’s a late-night activity on top of an early-morning activity. Not a great combo for rest and recovery.
So for now, I have a choice: get good sleep or ride lots. I haven’t quite figured out how to do both and I may never do.
Appeal: Here’s a question for you: if you have a busy life full of work and family duties and privileges, have you figured out how to get good sleep AND ride lots? What does this look like for you? I’d love to hear how you balance it all. Thanks.
Ride on…
Pics from Orange County New Year’s Day Group Ride
[tweetmeme only_single=false source=”artofgroupride”]On December 30th, I posted about the New Year’s Day Group Ride in Orange County, CA. If you don’t live in the Southern California area or you weren’t able to drag yourself out of bed on New Year’s morning, here are few pics from the ride, courtesy of Scott Sharp. Thanks Scott!
Ride on…
Common Pitfalls in the Group Ride, Part 2
[tweetmeme only_single=false source=”artofgroupride”]
Here’s a continuation of the list begun in a previous post, 6 Common Pitfalls in the Group Ride. These are aspects of riding in the group that good riders just know and new riders need to be aware of.
- Hiding Too Far Over in the Bike Lane or Shoulder – Unless you know every inch of your route like the back of your hand, inevitably you’ll be surprised by the sudden loss of a bike lane, shoulder, or the appearance of a curb. Crashes happen this way. I’ve experienced the good draft of being tucked in deep on the inside of the road only to have to bunny-hop a curb suddenly or move over on a rider. Hopefully, riders in front of you will point out the loss of the bike lane or curb but this doesn’t always happen, especially if the group is strung out and pushing hard. If you find yourself jammed into a space that’s too close for comfort, move. I’ll refer you back to #3, #4, and #5.
- Sitting Too Far Out in the Road – This kind of goes without saying but at some point, the bike lane ends and the road begins. It’s kind of an unwritten rule that you can be 1 or 2 bike widths in the street without being a jerk but be aware – especially on a busy street or in traffic. I’ve had my left elbow brushed by a swiftly moving truck and if I got taken out it would’ve been my fault. Always heed the “car back” call and if you’re in the back and you see traffic moving up it’s up to you to make the call loudly and clearly. Anyway, the further out in the road you are, the more you’re in the wind and not taking advantage of the group’s draft. If you find yourself too far out in the street, simply ask the rider to your inside if you can move in line. You may have to move towards the back but that’s better than getting mowed down by Mr. Cranky, the SUV commuter.
- Don’t Drop Your Bottle.
- Yellow Lights, To Go or Not to Go – This seems to be a tricky one for most Group Rides, especially if you’re talking about more than 30 riders and it’s strung out. That can translate to at least a 50′ group, more than long enough for a light to go from green to yellow to red. It’s obviously too dangerous for the front of the group to hit the brakes. At some point, midway back in the pack, someone has to have the sense of mind to slowly sit up and smoothly begin to slow before the light turns red while calling it out and maybe even signaling. It’s kind of bad form to attack at a full-on yellow light but when a group ride is flying and you’re in the back, there’s not much you can do. If the group splits, it splits. You’ve got to be smart and safe. Someone once tried to tell me that a group of cyclists is considered one vehicle so if the light turns yellow then red and the group is still rolling through the intersection then that’s ok. Not true. Not legal. I know this because I’ve been in 11 different group rides at different times over the years that have been pulled over, the entire group chased down by motorcycle cops, and ticketed. Also not smart because traffic from the other side of the intersection that now has a green light could plow into the middle of your group. That’ll ruin a ride and a day.
That’ll do it for now – even more to follow. Here are links to Part 1 and Part 3. Do you have anything to add so far?
Ride on…
The Art of the Group Ride 
![[tweetmeme only_single=false source=”artofgroupride”]](https://artofthegroupride.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/vfiles6962.jpg){kind=link}