...cycling in a leisurely and sedate manner, as befits someone of my age and infirmity.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
Today I have mostly been...
(24 posts)-
Posted 13 years ago #
-
@crowriver, have I missed something, what's your infirmity? Are you talking about the 40-miler Easy Sunday ride this Sunday? Supposed to be a tad windy but less so than Saturday, so anticipate that it might not be so "easy"...
Posted 13 years ago # -
Me too, although my pootling was a result of DOMS for which I blame ruggtomcat and his idea that we do a reverse run at the end of Hilly Tuesday.
Any suggestion that at 33 I am in total control of my actions and the consequences of a decision made without duress are mine to bear is, of course, completely absurd. His fault. Lalalalalalala can't hear you!
Posted 13 years ago # -
Sorry Liz, I was just being a bit whimsical. I'm still a bit sore in places from my silly fall off my coaster braked unruly steed last Friday. The resulting lethargy has made me rather unfit in a scarily rapid manner, and turned me into a wee timorous beastie on downhills - possibly because I'm still running in the 'horse' that threw me.
I'm sure I'll manage the 40 miler on Sunday, just hope I'm not too slow and annoying. Normally I wouldn't be (I think). Then again if it's helluva windy I suppose most folk will not be travelling at speed unless it's a steady tailwind...
Posted 13 years ago # -
@uberuce hehe, maybe some gears? I must be on track with the training cos I had no soreness and went running today :)
Posted 13 years ago # -
You're killing cycling with your cycle-specific gears!
Posted 13 years ago # -
@crowriver, ah ha I remember now...you should be fine on the 40-miler, I believe the average speed is about 10 mph. I think the wind on the way back will be the issue, it being a westerly, you should fly along to Aberlady. Once you turn to head home stick in a bunch and you should be fine. The CTC rules are take turns at the front if windy, if you are up to it that is.
It amuses me on occasion that someone who has been sitting on my tail goes to overtake me in windy conditions, soon to discover why it is I am actually going as slowly as I am, then I have the satisfaction of sitting behind them to enjoy the break.
Posted 13 years ago # -
...cycling in a leisurely and sedate manner, etc. but for 40 miles or so. Lovely day for it too, if a tad chilly from the nor'westerly coming in off the Forth. Indeed, I sometimes wished the ride was a bit pacier heading East, as I got a bit cold. Left my heavier fleece at home, as I had assumed I wouldn't need it. After piping hot soup and a hot sandwich, the way back involved a gentle climb and a headwind, so kept warm nicely.
May make the CTC 40 miler a regular fixture, but need something a bit more challenging/pacier occasionally too. Fitter than I thought I was!
Posted 13 years ago # -
You could try the normal CTC runs. The ERC runs are a bit quicker.
Posted 13 years ago # -
The problem with the normal CTC runs is the timing. Wednesday and Saturday I have work or family commitments. Sundays are much easier. I have to admit that initially I was a bit intimidated at the distances involved in the normal CTC runs, though I see the winter runs are 50 miles which seems manageable. Anyway for the time being I'll keep going with the Sunday 40 milers and see how it develops. If I find I need something pacier over distance in a group context I'm not sure what I'll do: I'm definitely not fast enough for the ERC runs!
Obviously I'll just have to do a Hilly Tuesday® every other week to get the challenge factor out of my system! I'll keep doing the Spokes rides too as the last one was a good mix of moderate paced cycling with the occasional testing climb thrown in.
There is the Audrey Fyfe Memorial Run coming up in March, thankfully the 11th is a Saturday so I should make that one.
Posted 13 years ago # -
@crowriver - good to hear that you are fitter than you thought. The Sunday "Easy" runs are allegedly quite slow and not quite as brisk as the Saturday CTC runs. The down side is that they are only once a month, but if you do the Spokes run that is two longer runs a month. The Saturday's are every week should you want a top up, but the speed at which they go are leader dependent, some being quite a lot brisker than others. Sounds like a plan, one CTC, one Spokes, and the Tuesday Hilly rides, that should keep the level of fitness up.
The ERC are far too fast for me, having been overtaken by many a peleton of them, I don't think their runs are as long as some of the CTC Saturday ones though, short, sharp shock treatment....
Posted 13 years ago # -
Correction: 11th March is a Sunday, I meant.
@Liz, the main thing I suppose is to get the miles in my legs, even if the pace is relatively gentle. CTC Saturday runs sound ideal, but I can't make them unless the schools are on holiday. Which, now I come to think of it, may make 18th February a possibility...
Posted 13 years ago # -
There's a couple of ERC runs that may be of interest.
The Saturday 9:50 run (from Commonwealth Pool) is an "official" club run (the others are turn up, self-organise and ride at your own risk) as in there is someone from the club there as a ride leader (who I think is usually also a first aider, has cycle training experience and who knows enough about spanner twirling to keep most bikes running from minor mechanicals). It's a run aimed at people wanting an introduction to club riding at a mediumish pace (I always remember it averaging c. 14.5mph when I first did it). It provides an introduction to the skills and signals and etiquette of riding on a road in a group, particularly as a chaingang. Uses a variety of routes but normally heading up to Dalkeith then out into East Lothian and back along the coast. 40 - 45 miles ish, stopping to regroup and for all mechanicals. It's open to non-club members, although if you were to decide you were going to do it on a regular basis there would be an expectation you might join the club to contribute to funds etc. (£20 a year. Bargain. Also provided affiliate CTC membership for £12 more)
There's 2 Sunday runs that may also be of interest. There's a small group who head out every week from Gilmerton Crossroads at 920, generally 60-80 miles in a variety of weather and wind determined routes and average about 16-18mph weather dependent. The pace in those rides can get quite monotonous as my experience is it does 16-18mph on the flat, 16-18mph up the hill and 16-18mph down the other side, without ever stopping! There's also a monthly "moving road block" ride on a Sunday from Tusitala at Fairmilehead that is more like 13-14mph average. It's heading towards what CTC like to do - ride somewhere nice in a group (not chaining) for a few hours, stop for lunch for a decent time, then ride home again to work it off. Relaxed and sociable sorta thing.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I go quite a lot on the 9.20 Sunday ERC rides. They often like to stop for coffee but they try to get back for 1300 to 1330. The runs I have been on have been 50 to 60 miles and they do try to make sure no one gets dropped. It may be a wee bit pacey for you now but later on ... They ride in a group but not in a chain gang so much more social. The front two change every so often. You certainly get to see a lot of different places with this group as the leader knows his way around and likes to vary things.
The 950 rides with ERC is an excellent way to learn to ride in a group. The speed does depend on the week but you shouldn't get dropped. It is good to extend yourself.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Don't forget that there are a quite a lot of rides listed here -
Posted 13 years ago # -
Looking ahead -
This -
http://www.leprahealthinaction.org/edinburgh-to-st-andrews-cycle-ride
is likely to be June 16th (TBC in Feb).
Posted 13 years ago # -
@kaputnik, the ERC runs look a bit too pacey for my old legs. Maybe one day, but I imagine the average speed is beyond what I could manage on the range of steeds I have available. The "moving road block" ride is the possible exception, but the start point is not terribly convenient for me. Possibly later in the year, in the meantime I'll search the diary for possible CTC Saturday or even Wednesday slots, rare though either of those might be.
@amir, I agree with your philosophy in principle. If I ever decide to get a lighter bike for such purposes then just maybe ERC rides might be worth trying. As noted above though, I doubt I have the legs for it at this stage.
@chdot, I had considered doing Edinburgh-St Andrews again this year. It's an interesting route with some hilly challenges, but then it's also a charidee ride which brings other issues (see threads passim).
Posted 13 years ago # -
And of course we've organised ourselves a number of enjoyable rides through this forum. There have been varying distances, speeds, tourist and cultural attractions to visit (from bricks all the way through to chimneys) and a range of establishments patronised, from Gothenburg Taverns to Gifford Cafés.
Posted 13 years ago # -
@kaputnik, indeed. Suggestions from the forum always welcome, though my leisure time is restricted by family commitments most weeks.
Having said that, the cogs are slowly in motion for the proposed Kirkpatrick MacMillan Bicentenary run from Drumlarig to Glasgow.....appropriate timing would seem to be the main obstacle. Spring or summer, most likely. CTC KM Rally is September, so don't want to clash with that.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Blimey 16 - 18 mph, over all terrains!! I would need wind assistance and a motor to get me up the hills. Mind you they don't carry much, no panniers or anything like bags, perhaps a spare inner tube or more like one of those inflator gizmos, so no drag and no extra weight like your lunch, clothes, pump, and tool kit, plus fevverweight bikes and shaved legs. They is 'ard. Not like me a wuss...
The fastest I have been is about average 13 mph and that was over 90 miles, with a very long downhill coming off the Granites.
Posted 13 years ago # -
@Liz (at least) one spare inner tube required for ERC runs. 2 preferable. I'm sure if you had "forgotten" then people would help you out, but it would not be a mistake you would be expected to repeat.
I've accidentally ridden the rides without my tool / tube pack or pump before (it being still attached to weekday bike) and been lucky never to have been faeried on these occasions.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Spokes Rides are slow, average 11mph, because there are a large range of abilities, people like to chat and enjoy a long lunch chatting. Can be frustrating if you want to go faster.
As chdot says, "there are a quite a lot of rides listed here -
http://www.cycling-edinburgh.org.uk"
But not a lot of Sunday Rides I'm afraid.
Anyway, there are loads of other rides like PfS in Scotland (51 miles challange or 94 miles sportive). You don't have to raise money for all of them, incl St. Andrews. I like the St. Andrews ride, and I cycle back on Sunday.
@kaputnik, the ERC What's On doesn't mention Tusitala? But I still see people heading up there on Sunday. Is that ride more informal these days?
Posted 13 years ago # -
@snowcycle, yes I think it's the same scenario with the CTC 40 miler. Have to say I didn't find the Spokes ride too slow, it was about right for the terrain and mix of riders. The social aspect of these rides is important too, it's not all about pace. Also it has to be said, unlike a solo ride or one with a friend, you can just turn up and ride: no route planning or navigation required as the ride leader has decided for you. Getting lost is part of the fun of a solo, but it takes up time! Again the gulf between these gentler moderate paced rides and the fast ERC Sunday runs is too great. Saturday and Wednesday CTC runs are an option occasionally, so I'll give them a try eventually.
Not sure about Pedal for Scotland - the ultimate mixed ability ride. Accounts I've heard seem to indicate it's not as well organised as EDinburgh-St Andrews, where at least you can place yourself in the start according to how fast or slow you think you'll be.
Posted 13 years ago # -
@snowcycle - Tusitala is a popular point for ad hoc / "unorganised" rides heading into Midlothian. The organised one is usually first Sunday of the month but is advertised via the forum and club mailing list, rather than the "what's on" page. I think because it is prone to change and is more a social event than part of the training calendar
Posted 13 years ago #
Reply
You must log in to post.
posts
