Dear CVC,
The following is a letter that Mike and I put together regarding the pub
ride. Mike wrote to me with some concerns and we worked together to come up
with some ways to make the pub ride more enjoyable for all.
Sheri
There seems to have been some concerns raised about the ride part of the
pub ride last week. As the host/ ride leader that day, I was disappointed
to hear that, so let me share my perspective. These, and all rides, are
supposed to be fun so let’s try and ensure that is the case.
- While this is a no-drop ride, we have had larger numbers of riders (up
to 30+) than a typical weekend ride which makes it very tough to keep track
of everyone to ensure they are all there at every regroup spot.
- The size of the group and suburban nature of the routes make it more
likely that there will be a split at signals or left turns.
- If you’re going slowly, get stuck at a signal or have an issue and
lose contact with the main group of riders, hopefully you will have several
other riders of a similar pace to keep you company and you’ll catch up at
the next regroup. If you have an urgent matter, please call the ride leader
whose cell number is on the ride announcement.
- We typically have several regroup spots on what is a fairly short ride
so no need to add more if part of the group gets stuck at a signal or turn.
Some riders may choose to soft pedal and wait, others may choose to go
ahead to the next regroup spot.
- If the group leaves the next regroup spot before you arrive, it’s not
that they’re inconsiderate. There was likely a poll of the riders as to
whether everyone was there and a question asked of the last rider to arrive
as to whether they were indeed the last. It’s just that the other riders in
the group collectively didn’t realize you weren’t there, especially with
such a large group where it is hard to keep track of everyone. Nobody is
being deliberately left behind.
- Since there is a wide variety of rider levels on each pub ride, from
Red to Mellow Yellow and everything in between, it is impractical, however
desirable, to expect that the entire group of up to 30+ riders will stay
together for the entire ride, which requires everyone riding at the pace of
the slowest rider.
- Getting spread out for a while is no big deal anyway – we’ll all
meet up at the next regroup spot or the bar.
- Please know the route in advance – download or print it if necessary
or just remember the key turns. Most of us are familiar with the area but
may need help on some parts, especially since the local pub rides on
sometimes unfamiliar suburban streets often have more turns than a longer
Saturday ride. Please also listen when the leader describes the route.
- Even if the ride leader, or someone else, waits at a key turn to make
sure everyone makes it, (s)he might leave thinking everyone has reached the
turn if there was a gap after what seemed to be the last rider, when that
might not be the case. In any case, the ride leader may not always be the
first person to arrive at each turn.
- BE SURE YOU KNOW THE ROUTE so you do not miss a turn.
Hopefully everyone will enjoy the future pub rides.
Regards
Mike
--
Sheri
