Friday, August 28, 2015

Group Riding

. . Woody shared a note that he received from a Memphis biking friend.  He thought it would be a good newsletter topic.  
. . I asked several people their opinion as to what to do with the note.  Their response was unequivocal -- it needs to be promoted.  So I have given it its own page on our website.  You can find it at http://fogbees.blogspot.com/p/group-riding.html.  (also accessible from the Website page)
. . The discussion also got a little off target -- about how the club works (or doesn't work) with newbees, which was not addressed in Woody's note.  What do you think? 

8 comments:

coastdownhills said...

There is a saying that whenever two or more cyclist gather you have a race. The Fogbees were formed to prove that false. We have failed.
Bruce

JoHo said...

A couple of weeks ago I commented to someone during the pool party ride that there is no such thing as a Fogbee group ride anymore. There is a Fogbee gathering at the beginning and at the end of the ride but not during the ride. I considered that maybe my viewpoint was skewed because of my view from the tail. But being one of the first back to Bob’s that day I observed many solo or two up riders coming in. There was no group returning that I saw that day.

Unknown said...

I know I've been guilty of most of these things. I will do better. Anyone, please don't hesitate to give me guidance if I'm not following these guidelines. I'll accept your comments willingly. I want to be a better rider.

Jeff Gibson said...

I'm with Ed, I'm guilty too. It's human nature to want to be faster, but that desire of speed shouldn't come at the expense of the group. Maybe going forward we should discuss what type or speed of ride we feel like at the start and group up accordingly, just a thought.

monsieur cannonball said...

I agree with Bruce's premise; however , it remains to be seen if we've failed. Admittedly, the current character of the FOGBEES belies the moniker. I suppose none of us who rode to and from Brett's garage ever dreamed that cold pizza and a twelve pack could last so long :)

Ed T said...

Bruce, we have not failed! When I first joined there was but a handful of cyclists riding in this group. We now have a roster of 100+ and probably 30-40 at today's ride. So we have brought many new people to the love of cycling. Early on our mantra was not to drop anyone and it was either a group ride or a solo. As the group has grown, we need to understand group dynamics. It is not reasonable to expect 30 - 40 riders to ride as one group (unless there is a special organized ride) considering the distribution of of skills, capabilities and desires. So we naturally break up into subgroups. Those who feel like racing each other will. Those who want to ride together at a certain speed will naturally gather. But it is still most prudent for all riders to observe basic safe, etiquette behavior. To this end, Woody's comments are germane. The last thing we want on a ride is for someone to get hurt, create a negative impression of cyclists or to get dropped with some problem and left abandoned on the road.

coastdownhills said...


As a bicycle club The Fogbees are a fantastic success. It is only in the accommodation of new less fit riders that I consider us to be failing. And by us I mean me most of all. The Turtle group is the only one to which the no drop just because you are too slow policy applies. On a good day I'm as guilty as anyone of peddeling away from a suffering newbie. On a bad day I do even worse and just stay home. You guys who show up day in and day out are the beating hearts of our group. Without you there would be no Fogbees.
Woody, Sorry about hijacking your excellent topic.
Bruce

Zac said...

I think the Fogbees are great. Without the group I probably wouldn't be in as good of shape as I am and wouldn't be racing. The hares do race each other but it's so we can improve and get faster. We usually will rejoin back up at stop signs. I remember my first ride as a turtle and the unity I felt in the group. I still feel that unity in the fast group. It is difficult to take it easy and stick with the group sometimes when you're legs are feeling great. I think the Fogbees for me though are very successful. The main thing is safety though.