Minuteman Road Club

Same plan as last week but we'll stick to it this time

Who's in?

Planning on it

Hey there all,

I meant to chime back in last week to say that I'm sorry if I over did it with my criticism.
And since group rides are supposed to be learning opportunities as well as workouts, then maybe it's appropriate that we may have learned something from the mistake.

This week, I might be at Wompatuck, don't know yet, but here are a couple of pointers.
Please don't be offended if these are obvious. They might not be to everyone.

1) Do a body count on roll-out. (Last week we had 14.) Anyone should be able to tell if someone is missing during the ride.

2) Doing paceline rotations you should be following the wheel in front of you. Not 12 inches to either side so you can see around your draft. You need to trust that the guy in front is choosing a clean line. He'll let you know if it gets ugly.

3) If the pace picks up - you speed up. Smoothly, so that no gaps open up in the line. If the first wheel in line speeds up and opens a gap - Speak up and let him know to skip a few strokes and close it up. No one in a paceline should have to accelerate too much.

4) If your draft slows down - you slow down. NEVER drift forward and overlap your front wheel on his rear wheel. This is the number one cause of crashes in race situations.

5) When you have taken your pull at the front (being careful not to accelerate and open a gap) give a little flick of the elbow to the rider behind indicating that he should pull forward and which side of you to pull onto. (should normally be right)

6) When you do drop back you should be able to count your way to the back of the line but it's a courtesy that when you know you are at the back, you announce that to the person going back. That way they know when to pick it up and jump back on.

7) If it's a group ride, regroup after sprints or climbs. If it's a "no-wait" hammerfest, make sure everyone knows this beforehand and knows the route or has a plan in case they get dropped.

I am planning on riding this Wednesday now that classes are done.

I will join you for the ceremonial flat warm up until the first hill into Littleton- where I will peel off..... should be a nice night...

MIchael I will be at Wompatuck if you are game.

If you are racing on Saturday, don't rurn your legs into a bucket of spanners by overdoing it on Wed Stow ride.

Great ride tonight and kudos to Bill for coming properly prepared for post ride.

glad to be back out there on Wednesday nights. That was a 'peppy' pace.