'A-Classic' Ride - 9 Sep

[mlawless]

So we averaged over 36km/h for the ride from start to finish. I really enjoyed that ride - thanks everyone for riding hard and smooth! It seemed peppy right from the start - when all I could hear going up the hill was my laboured breathing - oh, and no one was talking - just a lot of looking at stems!

Thanks everyone for another great (A-Classic) ride!

Michael

[trevor]

There's only one A ride.

[mlawless]

Eh?

[trevor]

Just trying to goad some of the strong guys to join us, that's all.

On that note, I've been meaning to post something for the last few weeks. I know a bunch of riders could hang in the Tuesday or Friday A ride. I encourage you to give it a go. If you're hesitant keep a few things in mind...

We paceline on Blenkinsop (and really don't stop for the rest of the ride). Sit in the entire stretch of this section, rest coming down Mt Doug Pkwy, give 'er up Ash, and if you get dropped take the short cut and meet us on or after the Gordon Head Rd kicker. Both pitches tend to be fast so prepare for it by getting rest beforehand.

Likewise Caddy Bay is fast and hard. Sit in if you need to. Challenge yourself by pulling through every once in a while or by sticking in with the front group up hills so you don't take any short cuts. Uplands Park and Oak Bay Beach Hotel are also frisky. At KGT, anything is game so expect attacks and harder efforts until the end.

All I ask is that whoever is sitting in communicates well with the working bunch so the paceline is smooth and efficient.

This is a great time of year to give jumping in with the As a go. There are some guys who are fit and some gearing up for CX. These riders are happy to keep a paceline rolling for the entire ride and to see you guys challenge yourselves each day. I know I speak for several people when I say that the only way you get faster is if you ride with faster dudes and dudettes.

Please post if you find this helpful of if you feel I'm full of it. Either way, discussion and debate are healthy.

See you Friday (or some of you Thursday).

[mlawless]

Trevor,

Thanks very much for your encouraging post. I agree completely with what you have posted. I even gave it a go on Tuesday last week - I liked the safety net of knowing that after I was shelled on the Box I would quickly (after a solitary lap of shame, recrimination and regret) be swept up by the next group on the road.

I know that my critical weakness in sticking with the A group is my (in)ability to ascend but who doesn't like a challenge! Your advice regarding resting and positioning is sound and I expect that your invitation will be taken up by a few riders.

Thanks again,

Michael

[ghomer]

Solid use of 'dudette'

[wonger]

Great post Trevor! Very encouraging, very inclusive - very Tripleshot. I will send my wife out to join you.

[dreeves]

Trevor wrote very eloquently and honestly about the A ride. I second his emotion.

d

[Alan]

Great post Trevor. Goading some of the overly aggressive B1 riders to join you in the A group is a great idea. People are now saying "The B1 ride used to be like the A ride." Absolutely true. Who needs an A ride when you've got such a plethora of peppy B's? I wistfully think, "yes I used to ride with the A's", yet the soundtrack riding through my head for the last few times I did so was most accurately sung by Mr. Bobby Vinton --whose song "Mr. Lonely" reminds you how weak you are in the highest most unmasculine voice on the planet...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djU4Lq_5EaM
Were Mr. Vinton alive today I'd say "Hey dude (or dudette) that voice of yours has to man up." Or I'd tell him, like the homeowners whining about us making too much noise on Tuesday's ride that Rule #5 should be heeded...

[Roland]

There is no shame in cheating. I join the As at the top of ash and take every short cut I know to make it to King George.

[Paul C.]

Thanks Trevor for inviting us A minus and A minus, minus...riders.

So a thought , kind of in between your suggestion and Rolf's ....
Would it be ok with you and your AAA group for any of us, on a Friday,
to start out with you and skip Blenkinsop and rejoin along the way??

regards, pc

[trevor]

Yupp!