For everyone who is getting ready for anotrher cycling season OR their first cycling seasn here is my best advice on early season training and group rides.
DO NOT be intimidated by how you think you will do or your perceptions of what you think the group will do. It's not a competition. There is no performance expectations, NOBODY is there to judge your performance. Group rides are for gaining fitness & skills and to enjoy doing it with each other. The most respected rider is always the one who keeps trying.
If you are very early in your fitness development for the season I would still encourage you to take advantage of a group ride. Even if you know you are not going to complete the ride with the group, make a point of starting with them. Challenge yourself by riding as long as you can with the group and then peel off and complete the ride on your own. Just let someone in the group (group leader) know of your intentions.
Don't wait until you think your fitness level is good enough to keep up with the group - start riding with a group as early and often as possible. As the season goes on the fitness level of a group progresses as a whole, the group, as a whole, will begin riding faster & faster. Trying to join a group ride later in the season is actually more difficult than doing it early in the season, regardless of your fitness level.
It's a fact that everyone is at a different level of fitness at this time of year. Contrary to what you might think a group can benefit all fitness levels at the same time. All riders in the group do not need to be of equal abilities. Riders with higher fitness levels can lead (pull) longer and gain benefit, riders still developing their fitness levels can benefit by taking shelter in the group yet gaining the fitness they need.
Early season group rides should make a point of staying together. This will work to benefit the fitness & moral of everyone. If (when) the group strings out, make a point of regrouping. Use road intersections or direction changes to do so. Hammering a section of road is fine, but not when you never look back and explode the group, remember, we are riding as a group for a reason.
And as always, things to remember:
* Dress for the weather
* Bring water & food
* Bring tube, patch kit & pump
* Cell phone
* Have fun
Best wishes to everyone for the upcoming season. Have fun & BE SAFE.
DO NOT be intimidated by how you think you will do or your perceptions of what you think the group will do. It's not a competition. There is no performance expectations, NOBODY is there to judge your performance. Group rides are for gaining fitness & skills and to enjoy doing it with each other. The most respected rider is always the one who keeps trying.
If you are very early in your fitness development for the season I would still encourage you to take advantage of a group ride. Even if you know you are not going to complete the ride with the group, make a point of starting with them. Challenge yourself by riding as long as you can with the group and then peel off and complete the ride on your own. Just let someone in the group (group leader) know of your intentions.
Don't wait until you think your fitness level is good enough to keep up with the group - start riding with a group as early and often as possible. As the season goes on the fitness level of a group progresses as a whole, the group, as a whole, will begin riding faster & faster. Trying to join a group ride later in the season is actually more difficult than doing it early in the season, regardless of your fitness level.
It's a fact that everyone is at a different level of fitness at this time of year. Contrary to what you might think a group can benefit all fitness levels at the same time. All riders in the group do not need to be of equal abilities. Riders with higher fitness levels can lead (pull) longer and gain benefit, riders still developing their fitness levels can benefit by taking shelter in the group yet gaining the fitness they need.
Early season group rides should make a point of staying together. This will work to benefit the fitness & moral of everyone. If (when) the group strings out, make a point of regrouping. Use road intersections or direction changes to do so. Hammering a section of road is fine, but not when you never look back and explode the group, remember, we are riding as a group for a reason.
And as always, things to remember:
* Dress for the weather
* Bring water & food
* Bring tube, patch kit & pump
* Cell phone
* Have fun
Best wishes to everyone for the upcoming season. Have fun & BE SAFE.
3 comments:
I love that write up! Thanks Jay!
That is just what I needed to read right now! Thanks! Very encouraging!
Hi Jay - Thanks for this note. A good reminder to all of us. Hope you are doing well.
j. H.
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