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Tue Apr 7th 2015

Tuesday Evening 4* Ride	4*

Leader: Andy Cowan	Start Time: 6:30 pm	Start Location: OMH
Description: Weekly 1.5 - 2 hours ride at a riding pace in excess of 24km/h (15mph). May be hilly. Hooray,it must mean SPRING IS HERE!1st 4* of the season will start with a mixture; a hard push up Manor, but a quick few miles out to Great Shefford where we` ll swing right out to Lambourne before the grind up to Hackpen We`ll decide whether it`s straight back through the Letcombes or a slightly longer flat route back in via Denchworth.Hopefully we will have a few takers,if you are umming and arghing whether to come along,no-one will get dropped of course but a good chance to stretch your legs.As a guide I would imagine this route will averge16/16.5mph, Come and give us a try but bring your lights.
Riders: Andy Cowan Frank Schroer Richard Saunders Simon Payne Riders = 4 Weather: Report: With 2 climbs and the slog over the Downs to the top of Hackpen within a 28 mile ride, to end up with the slowest rider, me, averaging 17.5mph was just too fast. 4* is new territory for the Club and a lot will depend on the ability of the riders who come on the rides of course but we need to have parameters and we need to provide the platform for other members to "progress". Discussions have been had and the first has been agreed that the rides, apart from safe, need to be sociable and I think that needs to be the guiding light not times on Strava! Still it`s early days.........!
Distance: 42.00 km (26.10 mi)
Comment on this ride

Written by : Paul

Posted on : April 7, 2015 at 8:39 PM

I wasn't able to make this ride but I'm in total agreement with our 4*leader ! We can have a quick but sociable ride catering for a wider range of riders ! . I for one enjoy a blast but Tuesday evening rides is not a race !

Written by : Simon Payne

Posted on : April 7, 2015 at 9:33 PM

Andy do you think we should set a upper limit for when we are on the flat ?
I think it's fine to let people go up hills and wait at the top of climbs. Like you have said we need to keep the rides sociable and not put off potential 3* rider's from making the transition if they so wish. Like you have said it's early days and also the rides will very depending upon the people present. I don't think strava is an issue more raining in the stronger riders so rider's stay together and don't get put off by being dropped. If speeds need to be reduced then the ride leader should have the right to chastise the guilty parties. You are right it's not a race and like all the other groups the club has the individual rider lvl's will still vary. Work in progress, I've taken on board your comments and think we can soon sort out a formula that will work.

Written by : John Talbot

Posted on : April 13, 2015 at 12:59 PM

Other than hills where people can pace themselves and wait at the top for the rest of the riders...

off the front is off the ride

...the leader is no longer responsible to those riders for giving directions or checking that everything is OK.

The leader should be setting the pace and the others should be following. The pace shouldn't be so fast that riders are being dropped and is adjusted according to the abilities of the group (and leader).

Ride Filter

Start Locations: WMP
Wantage Market Place; OMH
Old Mill Hall, Grove

Categories: 1* - Suitable for irregular, social, beginner or family riders, pace will match the slower riders. Not hilly or long. Expect rides up to 3 hours. Gentle exercise.; 2* - Suitable for regular riders who prefer to cover some distance but at a more relaxed pace. Likely to be half-day rides. Solid exercise.; 3* - Suitable for experienced riders, may be hilly, long, quick, or any combination! Likely to be half or full-day rides. Challenging exercise.; 4* - Suitable for athletic riders who can ride safely above the 3* standard. Quick rides for the fit.; More Information