Cycle Sports of Doylestown

SATURDAY MORNING RIDES
(Multiple Skill Levels | 15+ average speed)
7:30am Rollout

I’m expected to do my share, right?
No. The only thing you are expected to do is return with the group and ride in a safe, predictable way. You have decided to be part of a group – like a big school of fish swimming together – it has an organic flow to it. The school wants to, tries to stay together – remember, IT IS A GROUP RIDE. If the school is split, it forms two schools not one and a bunch of stragglers. I’m always shocked when I see a new rider take the lead position (in the wind) and then push the pace. Or a new rider struggle alone in the wind to get back on after being dropped with multiple riders just 20 yards behind who are willing to help share the work.

New to a ride, ride a conservative ride and leave something in the tank as a reserve. If you’re paired up with a stronger rider, don’t let them push you beyond a sustainable effort. Feel the ride speeding up, grab a steady wheel and hang on – minimizing hard accelerations & exposure in the wind. Need to ride a specific workout, or average speed – do that on your own and join us on another weekend – that’s ok.

Will I be dropped?
Well it depends. Riders will wait for you if it looks like you can make it back WITH THE GROUP. If you are off the back and clearly not going to finish with the group – do you want everyone to wait, repeatedly? You should be familiar with the roads to the point that if you are in over your head you can ride home safely.

What would cause me to be in over my head?
You will need a solid base of fitness if you are riding ave speeds over 16 mph as well as some midweek aerobic/anaerobic efforts to handle the increased load of hills. Riding once a week for 20 miles typically will not be enough effort to stay with a group doing a 17mph average ride in Bucks County… but you are welcome to try. The following statements are never a good sign. I have not ridden all month… I just got over a really bad cold… this is the first time I have been on this bike… I don’t like hills… I usually only ride C rides…or I’m really tired.

I have done the MS 150 – that’s group ride experience, right?
Yes. It is a group of people going down the road on bicycles, but no not nearly enough experience for you to be a safe group rider. We are speaking to the specific skills learned to make group riding safe in single pacelines, double pacelines, climbing, etc. Skills like not overlapping, being predictable, great communication, smooth decelerations, looking before you move, etc.

So many rules with road rides what a hassle!
Yes and no. On the road, there can be a lot of speed. With speed, there is an increased risk for error as reaction times are reduced. Like driving, apply good rules of the road and you drastically minimize the risk. For example, when you are a new driver, is it easy to drive on the highway? Is the highway where you learn to drive? Speed does equate to an increased level of risk, but group road riding done well can be safe.

*All of our road rides expect a CONSTANT “tight to the right” riding style, awareness of your surroundings and communication that at any speed are synonymous with safe and proper road riding. Failure to ride safely, including crossing the double yellow line, swearing, or lack of attention will require improvement before joining us again – sorry, its only fun when it is safe!