Organized rides - Leisure riders dilemma
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Organized rides - Leisure riders dilemma
I'm getting back into riding and plan to ride in a couple of big rides around Dallas this spring and summer. I was looking at the Tour de Goatneck....a 100K ride that I did about 15-16 years ago. I ran across this comment by someone on a review page of the ride.
" With respect to the prior comment about the 40 mile rest stop closing at 11:30 almost 4 hours into ride, that individual has no business riding that distance if he cant get 40 miles in nearly 4 hours."
I had that same experience when I rode that particular ride long ago. Closed rest stops after the first couple. My finish found me in an empty parking lot. My bike is a big box sporting goods store Iron Horse hybrid/city bike. My average pace, if I recall correctly, was 9-10 mph on the rural, hilly course.
Could I have pushed myself harder and finished a little faster. Yes. But why? I had plenty of water and lunch in a cooler strapped to my rear rack, but I would have liked some camaraderie. Perhaps organized rides should consider posting a schedule of closing times for the rest stops/finish area to allow leisure riders to see what they are up against.
I can understand that volunteers are awesome people that have other plans for the weekend. But at best I ride about a 13 mph pace on my bike for a ride of an hour or so in length. Do I really have "no business riding that distance" of 100K at something billed as a bike ride, not a bike race? I can't see driving somewhere to ride only in the shortest rides offered at the event.
Brian
" With respect to the prior comment about the 40 mile rest stop closing at 11:30 almost 4 hours into ride, that individual has no business riding that distance if he cant get 40 miles in nearly 4 hours."
I had that same experience when I rode that particular ride long ago. Closed rest stops after the first couple. My finish found me in an empty parking lot. My bike is a big box sporting goods store Iron Horse hybrid/city bike. My average pace, if I recall correctly, was 9-10 mph on the rural, hilly course.
Could I have pushed myself harder and finished a little faster. Yes. But why? I had plenty of water and lunch in a cooler strapped to my rear rack, but I would have liked some camaraderie. Perhaps organized rides should consider posting a schedule of closing times for the rest stops/finish area to allow leisure riders to see what they are up against.
I can understand that volunteers are awesome people that have other plans for the weekend. But at best I ride about a 13 mph pace on my bike for a ride of an hour or so in length. Do I really have "no business riding that distance" of 100K at something billed as a bike ride, not a bike race? I can't see driving somewhere to ride only in the shortest rides offered at the event.
Brian
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Running smooth tires? What kind of gearing are you using?
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An average of 9-10 mph is pretty slow even over that distance. Were you riding with anyone else at the end when you arrived at an empty parking lot? Maybe shorter organized rides are more to your style and if you want to ride longer rides save your money and do them alone since you're going to be alone at the end of the paid ride anyway.
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Street tires, 700x38 @ 60 lb or so. It's a fairly standard 21 speed setup. I like the bike, still, and haven't found anything in the lower end hybrid market that would justify replacing it.
The 9-10 mph is including stops.
There just seems to be an unspoken emphasis on pushing yourself on a long organized ride vs. making a day of it.
Brian
The 9-10 mph is including stops.
There just seems to be an unspoken emphasis on pushing yourself on a long organized ride vs. making a day of it.
Brian
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Street tires, 700x38 @ 60 lb or so. It's a fairly standard 21 speed setup. I like the bike, still, and haven't found anything in the lower end hybrid market that would justify replacing it.
The 9-10 mph is including stops.
There just seems to be an unspoken emphasis on pushing yourself on a long organized ride vs. making a day of it.
Brian
The 9-10 mph is including stops.
There just seems to be an unspoken emphasis on pushing yourself on a long organized ride vs. making a day of it.
Brian
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An average of 9-10 mph is pretty slow even over that distance. Were you riding with anyone else at the end when you arrived at an empty parking lot? Maybe shorter organized rides are more to your style and if you want to ride longer rides save your money and do them alone since you're going to be alone at the end of the paid ride anyway.
Brian
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You're probably largely right. I tend to be a back of the packer in 5K's and 10K's as a jogger, too. I guarantee that a better bike would shave some time off of a 100K or century for me, but the bike I own is perfect for most of my needs and is definitely capable of going the distance. I'll never be one to be concentrating of my cadence when I'm out on a beautiful country road that I may never have the opportunity to be on (on a bicycle) again.
Brian
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You could go with skinnier, higher pressure tires that might gain you 1+ mph. Perhaps 700 x 28 ??
My mtn bike w/ 26" 1.75 tires is about 3 mph slower over the same route as my road bike with 700 x 23 tires at 100 psi.
Also, can you start towards the beginning of the event to give you a bit of a head start over the main crowd ?
My mtn bike w/ 26" 1.75 tires is about 3 mph slower over the same route as my road bike with 700 x 23 tires at 100 psi.
Also, can you start towards the beginning of the event to give you a bit of a head start over the main crowd ?
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I can understand that volunteers are awesome people that have other plans for the weekend. But at best I ride about a 13 mph pace on my bike for a ride of an hour or so in length. Do I really have "no business riding that distance" of 100K at something billed as a bike ride, not a bike race? I can't see driving somewhere to ride only in the shortest rides offered at the event.
You just need to get a bit faster. Yet, apparently, that's not an option: other people have to make an effort to accomodate you.
I can understand that volunteers are awesome people that have other plans for the weekend. But at best I ride about a 13 mph pace on my bike for a ride of an hour or so in length. Do I really have "no business riding that distance" of 100K at something billed as a bike ride, not a bike race?
============
https://www.thegoatneck.com/
We provide rest stops every 8-9 miles on all courses.
Last edited by njkayaker; 02-07-14 at 11:36 AM.
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I'd suggest the OP contact the organizers of any ride he's interested in and ask the implied question, "When do your rest stops close?" Most every big ride I've been on has had sweep SAG (at least one of them annoying; I was last on the course when the group I was with quit at 55 miles!). They'll normally be in contact with the rest stops ahead and let them know how many more riders are on the road.
And, as long a the OP can keep pedaling, it's fine for him to do so.
On the flip side, the organizers and volunteers have a reasonable expectation that the riders will maintain some average pace. 10 mph is on the low end for any ride I've been on. Good rides normally post their closing times at the finish. It seems reasonable that anybody who's out on the course after closing should expect to finish at a deserted parking lot.
OP, how long have you volunteered to stay at a rest stop or finish line? You know these rides only work because of volunteers, right?
And, as long a the OP can keep pedaling, it's fine for him to do so.
On the flip side, the organizers and volunteers have a reasonable expectation that the riders will maintain some average pace. 10 mph is on the low end for any ride I've been on. Good rides normally post their closing times at the finish. It seems reasonable that anybody who's out on the course after closing should expect to finish at a deserted parking lot.
OP, how long have you volunteered to stay at a rest stop or finish line? You know these rides only work because of volunteers, right?
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Since they don't wait around for you to finish, why should you feel obligated to wait for them to start? Leave early. That way you'll get to the rest stops while they're still stocked and you'll have the opportunity to greet the other riders as they pass you.
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Sigh.....you seemed to start off with a reasonable question (What cutoff is reasonable?) and then you end up with assuming I expect to be accomodated. I said it was a dilemma...not an outrage. Jeez.
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These things always have time limits.
The longer distance routes aren't intended for "leisure riders" (slow riders).
You've made no indication that you would consider putting any extra effort into being a little bit faster! All you talk about is what the organizers should do!
It's not "a dilemma". Just become a little bit faster.
Last edited by njkayaker; 02-07-14 at 12:12 PM.
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For the "Goathead", it seems the 70 mile riders all go at 7:30 AM. It's not clear that riders are allowed to leave earlier than that.
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8-9mph is basically coasting. I don't know that I'd call that a leisure ride pace either. My leisurely pace is around 12-13 mph and pushing myself hard is around 15-18mph over long distance. A 12mph average should be obtainable, especially on paved roads, and would put you more in line with other riders I would think.
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8-9mph is basically coasting. I don't know that I'd call that a leisure ride pace either. My leisurely pace is around 12-13 mph and pushing myself hard is around 15-18mph over long distance. A 12mph average should be obtainable, especially on paved roads, and would put you more in line with other riders I would think.
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I think Retro Grouch has a point. The point of putting on skinnier tires is good (simple) also. Leave early. That's what I do on many club rides, especially longer ones. Some people in the club average 23 mph or more so there is no hope of staying with them. If skinnier tires will speed up your pace by 1 mph, this also is a painless solution available right now.
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Talk to the organizers and find out when the cut-off time is. Then apply your known average speed and decide how far you can ride. If you're the slowest rider there, it's not because everyone else is racing; it's because you're slow. You have choices:
1. speed up
2. do a shorter route
3. expect to be the last person on the road and in the parking lot
4. don't go on the organized ride
1. speed up
2. do a shorter route
3. expect to be the last person on the road and in the parking lot
4. don't go on the organized ride
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The Rosie Ruiz solution : , hang out and jump in, near the finish line.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosie_Ruiz
It's like N. 2, above :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosie_Ruiz
It's like N. 2, above :
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I would also suggest leaving early.
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Why do you need an organized ride to pedal your bike 62 miles? If you're the last one at the rest stops you're obviously riding by yourself. Just ride your bike regardless what everyone else is doing.
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I re-read my initial post and will stand by those comments. I in no way said that rest stops should be kept open for stragglers, or that the finish line should be staffed into the early evening. I was only stating a little dismay over someone saying that someone had no business riding that distance. I suppose people shouldn't walk marathons, either, yet they do....even if the finish line closes and there's no support.
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When I rode my first organized century I had two goals: to survive and to have the odometer read 100+ miles when I finished. I didn't do too bad, but I was one of the last few riders in, the food for the post ride meal was cold and pretty much gone, the vast majority of riders had loaded up and left. I couldn't have cared less. The fat guy who had to catch his breath after walking up a flight of stairs a year earlier had just ridden a century on an old steel hybrid.
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If you want to "make a day of it" ... ride solo, or with friends, or join a cycletouring club.
If you want to do an organised event ... ride faster.
And I'm speaking as someone who used to be able to do randonneuring events, which require a minimum average speed including breaks of 15 km/h ... but who is now too slow for them.
I won't ride an organised event until my speed improves.
If you want to do an organised event ... ride faster.
And I'm speaking as someone who used to be able to do randonneuring events, which require a minimum average speed including breaks of 15 km/h ... but who is now too slow for them.
I won't ride an organised event until my speed improves.
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Last edited by Machka; 02-07-14 at 05:43 PM.