Group ride lingo
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ChunkyB posted 19 weeks ago.
I'm not a huge fan of group rides as training rides, if it's a tight group with tons of drafting and what not, simply because it doesn't train you for race conditions. You don't get the luxury of pulling for a while, and then just chilling/drafting in the back when you're in a race. But, at the same time, biking is my favorite discipline, and I enjoy a good group ride as much as the next guy. It's just something to keep in mind.
Oh, and sorry I don't have any useful information as far as the translations. I'm not too familiar with formal group rides. Most of my group rides are family/friend group rides where we talk half the time anyway.
"The melting point of wax means nothing to me": Thrice
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TriSooner posted 19 weeks ago.
TryScott wrote:
B,C pace Td 2-6
No clue. Typical roadies, though, using code to discourage outsiders. Not your typical lingo. Group rides usually talk about specific numbers and "odo avg" (odometer average) with city limit sprints, hot spots, regroups, drops, etc.
TryScott wrote:
Is class B and C referring to something they use in their club that refers to pace, or is that a widely known term? Is a "beginner" someone with big tires . . . "
Not typical terms. And 'no beginner' probably means no hybird, cruiser or mountain bike. They won't put this in writing, but it usually means no triathlete either. Put a chip on your shoulder and go out there. Ask 1) how far the route is, 2) what's the odo average, and 3) is it a no-dropride (probably not)? Just stay off the aero bars or they will say something to you.
TryScott wrote:
If you average 18 for a 40k, you are not a beginner. Without knowing which group - or knowing what their stupid A, B, C code means - I'd guess that is a B pace. Or it would be with the roadie group I ride with.
If I end up averaging close to 18, I'm not going to be too bummed. Am I a beginner that's not welcome on these rides? My bike was purchased last Aug, and the odometer just clicked 1,000 miles last month. Obviously I'm not experienced, but I think I'm in pretty good physical shape.
TryScott wrote:
Not at all, especially if you don't know the route. Safer that way.
Lastly, is it rude to hang off the back of the pack if I want an easy day? I'd love to pull my share, but I don't know where they are going, and to be honest, I don't want to work so hard at the start that I can't keep up at the end. Once I do it a few times, maybe I'll learn how often I can pull and still finish the ride.
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fpugsley posted 19 weeks ago.
TryScott wrote:
Lastly, is it rude to hang off the back of the pack if I want an easy day? I'd love to pull my share, but I don't know where they are going, and to be honest, I don't want to work so hard at the start that I can't keep up at the end. Once I do it a few times, maybe I'll learn how often I can pull and still finish the ride.
TriSooner is correct, lots of guys NEVER take pulls at the front. Its ok, no one really cares. And, how else are you supposed to learn the route? Sit in for several rides, learn about paceline riding, and then decide if you are capable enough to take a pull.
I remember my first turns at the front, I had no idea whether or not I was going too fast or too slow, and sometimes you just get stuck in front because no one wants to work that day.
ChunkyB wrote:
... if it's a tight group with tons of drafting and what not, simply because it doesn't train you for race conditions. You don't get the luxury of pulling for a while, and then just chilling/drafting in the back when you're in a race.
I tend to disagree. If you feel a certain ride is too easy, move up to the next faster group. I feel like my weekend group rides are responsible for my bike being so strong. 3+ hours at a 20-25mph computer average, with sections running up to 32+mph definitely trains me to push hard and go fast, even if I am just sitting in. Doing fast group rides WILL help your bike leg.
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ChunkyB posted 19 weeks ago.
fpugsley wrote:
I tend to disagree. If you feel a certain ride is too easy, move up to the next faster group. I feel like my weekend group rides are responsible for my bike being so strong. 3+ hours at a 20-25mph computer average, with sections running up to 32+mph definitely trains me to push hard and go fast, even if I am just sitting in. Doing fast group rides WILL help your bike leg.
That's true. I was just trying to say not to get too used to having a group, and don't expect times/speeds from a group ride to translate over to solo rides.
But I do agree that they will make you a stronger cyclist, especially since, in my experience, you usually end up riding longer on group rides than you otherwise would.
"The melting point of wax means nothing to me": Thrice
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kylie posted 19 weeks ago.
A, B, and C group are common terms around here -- basically A = advanced, B = less so, and C = even more less so. Club rides here sometimes have A and B do the same route, with B just going slower, and C has a shorter route. It will depend on the club though. No harm in sending a couple emails or making a couple calls and seeing what you learn.
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PJT posted 18 weeks ago.
Someone posted a link here a few months (years?) ago with some basic group ride etiquette and skills. It was very helpful. I'd search for it, but I'm late for a swim.
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Anton posted 18 weeks ago.
A is usually speeds of up to 25+ mph. If dropped you're on your own.
B is usually 18 and above. Someone might wait for you.
C 18 and lower. Usually no one gets dropped and if you have a problem folks will stop and lend a hand...
I used to race and road club for years. Not anymore... I prefer to go alone or with one other person...keeps it simple with much less ego.
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beads1985 posted 18 weeks ago.
Anton wrote:
A is usually speeds of up to 25+ mph. If dropped you're on your own.
B is usually 18 and above. Someone might wait for you.
C 18 and lower. Usually no one gets dropped and if you have a problem folks will stop and lend a hand...
I used to race and road club for years. Not anymore... I prefer to go alone or with one other person...keeps it simple with much less ego.
I have seen a rating sytem and it is like Anton and Kylie have stated.
Since most group rides for any club don't work with my schedule, I go solo.
The only group rides I end up doing are events like triathlons which are competitive and bike tours which are less so.
I have shown up to bike rides with my cervelo p2sl and get a few looks. Then the roadies blow me away. I come in last and everybody has showered and eaten. I then pipe up and ask if anybody wants to join me for a run. Then they think I am nuts, and nobody joins me.
Nothing to it, but to do it
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TryScott posted 18 weeks ago.
Thanks for the help. I dug into their website some more and found the pace translations. Everyone's guesses were pretty much right on.
http://www.outdoor-pursuits.org/biking/guidelines.htm
Didn't find anything on the Td 2-6...
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jtrimom posted 18 weeks ago.
maybe Td 2-6 means that the Translation dictionary is available from 2-6
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caeagle16 posted 18 weeks ago.
I love going to cycling club rides and kicking ass in my aero bars... those straight cyclists can't keep up, and I just laugh. They try to sprint and catch me, but they don't know how to sustain it... pretty funny actually
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jsk85 posted 18 weeks ago.
caeagle16 wrote:
I love going to cycling club rides and kicking ass in my aero bars... those straight cyclists can't keep up, and I just laugh. They try to sprint and catch me, but they don't know how to sustain it... pretty funny actually
Don't most group rides dissallow using aerobars...seems pretty dangerous to be tucked away from the breaks with a group around you.
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cjhoffmn posted 18 weeks ago.
I was wondering about that - I've never done the group rides, but if I were in one, and got up top for a pull, would it be all that bad to drop into the aerobars for the pull on the front? Would it help all that much against the overall aero advantage of the pack?
To tri or not to tri - that's not a question at all!
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TryScott posted 18 weeks ago.
One of the guys in the B group I went with had a tri bike. After he got aero a few times, I figured I was allowed. I just didn't use them when people were close.
With the exception of the guy that seemed very frustrated of my lack of knowledge, everyone was really nice. I didn't know we had to put our name on a list, so that made the guy roll his eyes. I asked how I would know where the B group was, and I don't think he understood the question. Lastly, I didn't know they had maps of the course, so he looked shocked when I asked something about the course, and he told me it was on the map, which I told him I didn't have.
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cjhoffmn posted 18 weeks ago.
Cool. Sounds like some simple ideas that you'll have knocked down for next time.
To tri or not to tri - that's not a question at all!
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cjhoffmn posted 18 weeks ago.
Cool. Sounds like some simple ideas that you'll have knocked down for next time.
To tri or not to tri - that's not a question at all!
There's an organization in my area that does weekly rides. Can someone translate what this means?
"Thursdays
6pm B,C pace Td 2-6. 25 to 50 miles. Meet at .... "
Another one reads...
"Wednesdays
6pm Class B,C+. No Beginners Please. Meet at ..."
Is class B and C referring to something they use in their club that refers to pace, or is that a widely known term? What's "Td 2-6 mean? Is a "beginner" someone with big tires and a seat the size of my riding mower seat, or someone that hasn't done group rides?
My goal is to maintain above 19MPH for 25 miles in my triathlon this weekend. If I end up averaging close to 18, I'm not going to be too bummed. Am I a beginner that's not welcome on these rides? My bike was purchased last Aug, and the odometer just clicked 1,000 miles last month. Obviously I'm not experienced, but I think I'm in pretty good physical shape.
Lastly, is it rude to hang off the back of the pack if I want an easy day? I'd love to pull my share, but I don't know where they are going, and to be honest, I don't want to work so hard at the start that I can't keep up at the end. Once I do it a few times, maybe I'll learn how often I can pull and still finish the ride.