Mark B
Zen MBB Master
On Saturday, August 22, I showed up rather late at the ride start. The people there were planning to do San Timoteo Canyon and the back side of Oak Glen. That's not an easy climb and looking at the group, I figured there to be only about three, maybe four of the 12 I could out-climb. Regardless, I agreed to go as I didn't seem to have much choice in the matter; it was the only game in town! It was somewhat cool and overcast, with a threat of showers, which is unusual for this time of year. We took off up San Timoteo Canyon, which is a pretty long, but gradual grind. We got a few sprinkles as we progressed, but never enough to even wet your glasses.
Pretty much from the start, we fell into two groups, me staying with the front group of four. I jumped on the back of the paceline and we rotated through in fine fashion. The fellow in front took a longish pull and I finally asked him if he wanted me to take a pull. He jokingly asked, "What good will that do any of us except pick up the pace?!!?" He pulled over and let me take a pull and I promised to play nice. I know the pull was good, because when I pulled off, the gal behind me groaned and the pace went down a little. We got to the top of the canyon and waited for the slower group to catch up.
After the regroup, we continued into Beaumont, then turned up toward Oak Glen. Oak Glen is a low mountain retreat, apple growing area. There are lots of farms and such. It's not super high elevation, but high enough it's 15-20 degrees cooler than it is down here. The climb up the backside is long and grueling with no switchbacks and no relief from the climb. It's not super steep, but steep enough to be painful and like I said, with no relief. As luck would have it, our cloud cover broke up and the sun came out with a vengence as we started up the climb. I settled in for the grind where I figured I needed to be, but found myself bogging down right away. I just couldn't climb that slow, so I dug in and spun up to about third position. Then second, then I took the front and pounded out way in front. It got to the point I was all alone with nobody in sight and I even wondered if they had turned around. My lungs were heaving, my legs were complaining loudly; I considered stopping for a breather except I feared not being able to get started again. As it was, with the dampness in the shade and the paint stripes, I was sliding my front tire now and again. Not the bikes fault, 5-6000 miles is a lot to expect out of a tire; I think all the sticky is gone out of it and the road was a little steep!! I finally made it to the top and pulled into a parking lot to wait. I watched the time and I had a good five minutes on the next rider and probably close to ten on the last.
We stopped at one of the farmers markets on top to refill our bottles and to munch on something. After than, it was a fast paced romp downhill and back to the barn. It was a great ride and I was pretty proud of myself for climbing way better than I thought. I know I'm an OK climber, but I certainly exceeded my expectations for myself on this day.
Today's breakfast ride was fun. This ride has grown to te point we've had to split it into two. We've been getting over 20 riders on a given Sunday and of varying abilities. We needed to not only divide up the numbers, but also give the faster, stronger riders a way to get their workout.. The spirit of the group is still the same; to make the ride fun, frequent regroups and breakfast! The core group of riders share the responsibility of riding with, nurturing and encouraging the slower beginner group. Today, since I had ridden pretty hard yesterday, I volunteered to lead the beginner group. We had two couples that were first-timers and they had no idea what to expect, so the pace was slow. Single digit slow. I even tailored the ride somewhat to get us to the restaurant at approximately the same time as our faster group. Both couples had a ball and as we returned to the ride start, found the energy to pick the pace up a little. They had a great time and were really appreciative of our group, of our hospitality and making them feel part of the group. I think they'll be back.
As much as I like to go fast and to build on a reputation as a strongish rider, I also like to slow down and nurture the newer rider. In my mind, it's important to encourage the newer riders and help them find the path. In a way, I find it more rewarding than being the first to the top, or to be known as a fast rider.. I think it's GREAT to be known as a fast rider that is also willing to give something back in the form of not just friendship, but mentoring. I like to think of this as a grass-roots building of the club. How to lead a ride with compassion and encouragement and to grow riders. Group riding is fun, but if all you have is a group of individuals chasing the wheel in front of them, it can be discouraging. there's a time and a place for that, but usually not when you first start out.. Incidental fitness... The rest will take care of itself if it's fun and you get into good riding shape without even realizing it.
Mark
Pretty much from the start, we fell into two groups, me staying with the front group of four. I jumped on the back of the paceline and we rotated through in fine fashion. The fellow in front took a longish pull and I finally asked him if he wanted me to take a pull. He jokingly asked, "What good will that do any of us except pick up the pace?!!?" He pulled over and let me take a pull and I promised to play nice. I know the pull was good, because when I pulled off, the gal behind me groaned and the pace went down a little. We got to the top of the canyon and waited for the slower group to catch up.
After the regroup, we continued into Beaumont, then turned up toward Oak Glen. Oak Glen is a low mountain retreat, apple growing area. There are lots of farms and such. It's not super high elevation, but high enough it's 15-20 degrees cooler than it is down here. The climb up the backside is long and grueling with no switchbacks and no relief from the climb. It's not super steep, but steep enough to be painful and like I said, with no relief. As luck would have it, our cloud cover broke up and the sun came out with a vengence as we started up the climb. I settled in for the grind where I figured I needed to be, but found myself bogging down right away. I just couldn't climb that slow, so I dug in and spun up to about third position. Then second, then I took the front and pounded out way in front. It got to the point I was all alone with nobody in sight and I even wondered if they had turned around. My lungs were heaving, my legs were complaining loudly; I considered stopping for a breather except I feared not being able to get started again. As it was, with the dampness in the shade and the paint stripes, I was sliding my front tire now and again. Not the bikes fault, 5-6000 miles is a lot to expect out of a tire; I think all the sticky is gone out of it and the road was a little steep!! I finally made it to the top and pulled into a parking lot to wait. I watched the time and I had a good five minutes on the next rider and probably close to ten on the last.
We stopped at one of the farmers markets on top to refill our bottles and to munch on something. After than, it was a fast paced romp downhill and back to the barn. It was a great ride and I was pretty proud of myself for climbing way better than I thought. I know I'm an OK climber, but I certainly exceeded my expectations for myself on this day.
Today's breakfast ride was fun. This ride has grown to te point we've had to split it into two. We've been getting over 20 riders on a given Sunday and of varying abilities. We needed to not only divide up the numbers, but also give the faster, stronger riders a way to get their workout.. The spirit of the group is still the same; to make the ride fun, frequent regroups and breakfast! The core group of riders share the responsibility of riding with, nurturing and encouraging the slower beginner group. Today, since I had ridden pretty hard yesterday, I volunteered to lead the beginner group. We had two couples that were first-timers and they had no idea what to expect, so the pace was slow. Single digit slow. I even tailored the ride somewhat to get us to the restaurant at approximately the same time as our faster group. Both couples had a ball and as we returned to the ride start, found the energy to pick the pace up a little. They had a great time and were really appreciative of our group, of our hospitality and making them feel part of the group. I think they'll be back.
As much as I like to go fast and to build on a reputation as a strongish rider, I also like to slow down and nurture the newer rider. In my mind, it's important to encourage the newer riders and help them find the path. In a way, I find it more rewarding than being the first to the top, or to be known as a fast rider.. I think it's GREAT to be known as a fast rider that is also willing to give something back in the form of not just friendship, but mentoring. I like to think of this as a grass-roots building of the club. How to lead a ride with compassion and encouragement and to grow riders. Group riding is fun, but if all you have is a group of individuals chasing the wheel in front of them, it can be discouraging. there's a time and a place for that, but usually not when you first start out.. Incidental fitness... The rest will take care of itself if it's fun and you get into good riding shape without even realizing it.
Mark
