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Thursday Night Fast Ride A & B

Ride Format:


The Thursday Night Fast Ride continues in 2019.  We are introducing some changes to the Thursday night format with a focus on group etiquette, riding skills and safety, while riding at the advertised pace. In 2018, the “fast” ride and “moderate” ride were marketed as separate rides. Starting this year we are marketing as a single ride with 2 defined paces:


  • TNFR A Average Pace: 19-21 mph

  • TNFR B Average Pace: 16-18 mph


The B group will begin shortly after the A group following the same route. The A ride attracts a collection of Category 2-5 racers. This doesn’t mean you have to race to participate in this ride. It is simply for perspective. Our routes typically include 2 climbs, averaging a total of around 2000 feet over a 30 mile ride. Our ride lengths vary from 25 - 35 miles depending on the available evening daylight.


With 2 groups, we expect to attract riders with varying skills and abilities. As a cycling club, we want to focus on developing those skills. In the past, we have had riders join race teams from our fast ride as they continued to advance in their abilities. This year we are marketing both the A & B rides as “no drop” rides. With this being said, we know that 2 groups is often not enough to accommodate the riders who attend. To support “no drop”, the ride leaders will specify the re-grouping point or points prior to each ride. If it is clear that either the A ride or the B ride must be further divided, the ride leader will state this at the regrouping point. Our goal for 2019 will be to have no more than 2 subgroups from the A & B rides in order to focus on group riding skills. Don’t be afraid to go with the faster subgroup. However, if you are caught in the middle, ease up your pace and fall back to the group behind. Subgroups should check for other riders around them, particularly at the top of climbs and regroup by soft pedaling. No one will be left behind.

Routes are published in advance, but we encourage folks to join our ride update list for last minute information. We often need to change our plans or re-route due to construction projects. Please check the route each week for the latest information. Since routes are published in advance and we're in the information age, we do not provide maps to start the ride. Our routes have all been created using Ride with GPS. For those with GPS units, we encourage you to download the current link to your GPS unit. If you'd like a printed copy of the cue sheet, please access the information on-line ahead of the ride and find a printer.

We invite any new or visiting riders to the ride to join the TNFR crew, but ask returning riders to become members of the club.


Skills & Safety:


As a cycling club, we want to promote the development of group riding etiquette, skills and safety. If you are new to group riding (or if you want a refresher), please review the following videos to better appreciate our focus. Ride leaders and other experienced riders will provide advice and instruction during rides to assist. Do not take this personally, as this is done for the safety and development of the group. Any observed unsafe riding will be addressed individually after the ride.


Depending on the size of the groups, participants in the Thursday ride should generally expect to ride 2 abreast in a paceline format i.e Double Paceline. Riding a double paceline reduces the length of the group making it easier for cars to pass (although many drivers may not think so). Please keep the 2 lines tight. If you have any questions or want to discuss group riding, please reach out to one of the ride leaders. Periodically, we may choose to focus on a particular skill as part of our ride (such as riding in a paceline). This will be included in the ride description for the week.


Please be sure to bring extra tubes, CO2, pump, multi-tool, etc. for any mechanicals you may encounter. Also, bring front and rear lights particularly at the beginning and end of the season when our rides brush against the time of sunset. Remember that lights not only help you see, they increase our visibility to drivers on the road.

Maps and Related GPS Files:
Thursday Night Fast Ride Maps and GPS Files


Videos:


Following are a handful of short videos (many from the Global Cycling Network - GCN) to provide examples of the etiquette, skills and safety we wish to promote. We encourage everyone to take a look at these videos when you get a chance.

How to Ride in a Group - Group Riding Etiquette
How to Climb in a Group
How to Descend in a Group
How to Draft Like a Pro
How to Communicate With Signals
How to Corner in a Bunch
How to Ride Like the Pros - Riding in a Double Paceline
5 Cycling Skills Every Rider Needs
How to Improve Your Bike Handling

Cycling Skills & Safety - RoadID Rules of the Road
How to Improve Your Balance on a Bike
 

When:
Thursday, April 11, 2019, 6:00 PM
Where:
Deep Lock Quarry
Parking
5779 Riverview Rd.
Peninsula, OH  44264

Additional Info:
Event Contact(s):
Shawn Grandon
330-523-7523 (p)
Category:
Weekly Club Ride
Registration is not Required
Payment In Full In Advance Only

here

Akron Bicycle Club P.O. Box 2268 Stow, OH  44224
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