Details Details

Below we have a bit more information on some of the rides we posted yesterday.

Audax Tune Up 1:

We’ll be doing the first of this year’s Audax Tune Up Rides on February 26.  That’s just less than two weeks away.

Purpose:  Practice riding as a group, in mutual support of each other.  (Group stays together!)  In addition, this is a training ride to get us ready for the long one.

Pacing:  We’re going to target something like a 13 to 15 mph rolling average.  This is not fast, but it’s not slow either.  (The idea is to stay together and finish together.)

About the route:  It’s a loop of approximately 45 miles.  There are two (short) stops along the way.  The terrain is (quite deliberately) hilly.  The idea is to meet terrain that is a bit more challenging than what we will encounter on the actual 200K.  So the elevation gain per mile is going to be greater than what we will see in May.  That doesn’t mean it will be insane, just hilly.

The spirit of this thing is simple.  It’s not a demonstration of speed or power!  The group will stay together.  We watch out for each other.  If anyone has a problem, the whole group will stop to work the problem. 

The “Catch”:  Over the years, we have had to allow folks to “abandon” the ride.  It isn’t common, but occasionally there is an unrepairable mechanical, or one individual just does not possess the wherewithal to stay with it.  (Face it, there are demands involved in this kind of thing.)  We will be riding 45 miles, through hills, in a group.  Everyone has to make compromises in their riding style.  Climbers need to back off a little.  So do descenders.  So do the diesels.  Even if the pace is very relaxed everyone gives a bit.  This takes more out than might be obvious.

How to get it done:  Prepare your equipment.  Watch the weather and dress appropriately.  Show up Early.  Come with a commitment to finish.  Bring your smile.  (Good cheer goes farther than big training.)

Dirt Road Ride:

This coming Sunday, 19 February!

We’ll depart from Bicycles Unlimited at 1:00 PM.

Purpose:  Go out and ride some unpaved roads and have fun doing it!

As stated previously, this route is approximately 41 miles long, and covers several sections of delightful unpaved road.  The unpaved sections total about 15 miles.

The route is a bit convoluted.  Cue Sheet is available on South Side Cycling Club website, in the Documents section.  I also sent out an attachment with this in a recent Tuesday Tome.  I’ll have a few copies of the Cues with me at ride start.

Ride Character and Pace:  Ride it at your own pace.  Have fun with it.  Be prepared for the unpaved sections, and expect to encounter some good hills in the process.  There are some gravel sections, but not many, not long, and not deep.  Low traffic on the unpaved sections, but do ride responsibly and alertly.

Conditions:  Ride will go rain or shine.  Watch the weather and dress appropriately.

Spring Equinox Celebration Night Ride:

Monday 19 March.  7:30 PM.  From Bicycles Unlimited

We haven’t done one of these quite this early in the year before.  So we’re gonna give this a try.  Mid-March weather can be tricky, so the route will be a little shorter than some of the previous editions.  It’s not finalized yet, but expect something in the 30 to 35 mile range.  Keep watching this space for more details.