Sunday - 15 January 2012

[conway]

It has been suggested and Peter agrees we should run a "A" and "B" ride on Sunday mornings.The "B" ride will be a "no drop" and will follow the usual Sunday route. Hopefully, this change will encourage more "B" riders to join us on Sunday morning.

See you at Fairfield Starbucks at 7am for a 7:20am start assuming the weather cooperates.

Mark

[Stéphane Tran]

Show of hands for tomorrow?

[Lund]

If the roads are rideable, I'm in.

[JohnT]

I'll be there unless there's snow on the road. Sunday has always been no-drop. Hammering into Matticks, over the Island View ridge, up the Observatory, and/or into the Interurban sprint should be enough for those who don't want to leave anything in the tank. The in between bits can be done at a relaxed pace. Having said that, I see that a designated B ride might be less intimidating for new people. Maybe, like the Oak Bay ride, we can agree to go at the pace of the slowest rider up to the lead out for Matticks. There's always the Willis Point, Munns Road detour for people who are feeling too strong near the end.

Bis Morgen,

JT

[barton bourassa]

I agree with John. Lets all stick together to Cadboro Bay Road, meet up at Matticks then separate? Or split at Island View? One of the keys for a successful ride for C or B- riders on Sunday AM is take really short pulls, 20 or 30 seconds. It does not matter if the person you are beside is some crazy strong rider. Just let them know you will pull short. Communicate. Sunday has always been no drop. Anyone that wants to fly has the option to ride the hammerfest on Saturday. Or, go long on Sunday after Island View. And even then, the long ride is no drop. It is also important that if you are being dropped you holler out "Steady". Don't be shy. This always has been a no drop ride and I think it should continue to be so.

Looking forward to others comments!

[Lister Farrar]

I've always thought the hammer into Matticks, while fun, is bad for newer/weaker riders. They are forced to burn all their matches in the first 30-45 minutes, then don't get to enjoy a longer ride. I think it would be better 30 kph max until Sidney and split there, with a promise, nay, demand, to have a jam down interurban or up the observatory, just to make sure everyone finishes empty.

But then I ride my mtb sundays with the juniors lately, so feel free to ignore.

[Lister Farrar]

One of the keys for a successful ride for C or B- riders on Sunday AM is take really short pulls, 20 or 30 seconds. It does not matter if the person you are beside is some crazy strong rider. Just let them know you will pull short. Communicate. Sunday has always been no drop. Anyone that wants to fly has the option to ride the hammerfest on Saturday. Or, go long on Sunday after Island View. And even then, the long ride is no drop. It is also important that if you are being dropped you holler out "Steady". Don't be shy. This always has been a no drop ride and I think it should continue to be so.

+1

[JohnT]

I think the sprints are a good balance. No one has to sprint into Mattick's and those who do certainly don't mind (as far as I can tell) waiting in the parking lot for those that don't. I can only speak for myself, but without the challenges of Mattick's, Island View, etc., I'd be inclined to favour the A and B separation, but it's also my feeling that it would be a shame if we ended up breaking up. I really look forward to the more social aspect of Sundays, yet I don't think that this means we need to eliminate the fun and games along Cordova Bay Road.

Many people are now waiting at the top of the Island View ridge rather than riding down and then up the backside. This, it seems to me, is exactly the kind of thing that keeps the group together yet provides different people with different challenges. I am sure we can come up with something similar earlier in the Sunday ride.

Maybe (for example), if we turned into Mt Doug Park (i.e., the park entrance road) and gathered in the parking lot, we could ride up the paved path back onto Mt Doug Road as a group and avoid stringing things out on the short climb. This might ensure that the build up to Mattick's doesn't start too soon (i.e., not until everyone is over the hump in Mt Doug Park). That path sometimes has moss on it, but it's wide with no cars - it might work.

JT

[Lister Farrar]

No one has to sprint into Mattick's... JT

Yeah, and not to debate too fiercely here, but few can resist and it's often been 1's and 2's from Mt Doug park to Mattick's, then 3 different rides in different directions. The Island Racing Club Thursday night ride goes 'ensemble' to Sidney (everyone makes it there), then jams back. Great for newer riders learning pack skills while they can still see straight, then everyone can go for their personal world championship. Sure felt right the one time I did it. 30+ rode in two's out (including waiting for a flat), then Rob Britton shredding it after the airport, and chase groups of every ability after that.

[JohnT]

Taking people to Sidney and then dropping them seems less kind than the relax, sprint, relax, sprint, relax, sprint routine. I have been dropped at the airport on several occasions (by the Oak Bay group and the Burnside group) and I can tell you it ain't fun riding all the way home alone.

But, I am keen on any plan that helps keep the Sunday group together.

JT

[Paula]

Being new to the Sunday ride I will weigh-in with my thoughts.

I have been riding the Sunday farm team ride for a few months and a few rides ago we joined up with the TS Sunday ride because we were few and there was a bad wind (yup, we were using you TS folk). I was a bit worried, but really enjoyed it and have felt totally tired at the end. I was super confused as to what was happening for the little race up to Mattick's farm. I thought that was the pace and was pretty sure that there was no way I could keep up with this group. I was very happy to see it ease off after that.

At the end, I was very tired but felt good and always felt supported. So if the faster folks are okay with it.. it worked for me. the only comment is

for a new person.. if they could be informed as to what is going on BEFORE it happens that would be helpful.. I know a few people didn't continue after the Mattick's farm, and maybe because they thought that was the pace. ... but that being said, I didn't start off at the beginning of the ride, so maybe I missed something (which isn't out of the ordinary)... okay, story time..

Paula

[Lister Farrar]

Taking people to Sidney and then dropping them seems less kind than the relax, sprint, relax, sprint, relax, sprint routine. I have been dropped at the airport on several occasions (by the Oak Bay group and the Burnside group) and I can tell you it ain't fun riding all the way home alone.

JT

Good point.