Bridging the gap to As
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2014 10:38 am
I thought I'd start a thread on this topic as it seems once the lines of communication are open more are willing to give the A rides a go. I think there are 3 factors to consider when jumping in with the As.
First, fitness. There's no doubt about it. There'll be less rest, the pace will be higher, and you'll want to quit. Training smart, riding with faster people, and looking at long term fitness gains are all going to help you stick in. Chat with one of the coaches on the rides for support if you're keen (thinking Peter, Lister, and Wheeler Tom Skinner who posts a free monthly training schedule on the Wheeler site - subtle plug).
Second, mental. You'll want to give up. You'll want to go slower. You'll want to wait for the Bs. Your body can do amazing things if you set your mind to it. Get over yourself and just dig. If your stem is covered in snot and slime post ride then you know you did your job.
Third, social. I think there tends to be a social stigma with regards to the A ride and I'm hoping that this thread and the guys who are regulars can try to break that. I don't take myself (too) seriously but I do like to go hard and get gutted. With any group ride there is an unspoken order to things. The regulars know this order quite well. When you jump in with the As try and figure this out. Ride smooth. Communicate. Work hard. I think that part of this stigma, whether real or imagined, is due, in part, to this. Get to know the ride and have fun.
Case in point, this morning a B rider jumped in with the As on our penultimate lap at Beacon. Great. There's no issue so far. But please don't immediately attack the group that you just joined after we've been working each other over for the past hour. And know how many laps are left for the group you just joined. And when you think you've won the sprint get to the left of the ring so we can continue on our way.
Thoughts?
First, fitness. There's no doubt about it. There'll be less rest, the pace will be higher, and you'll want to quit. Training smart, riding with faster people, and looking at long term fitness gains are all going to help you stick in. Chat with one of the coaches on the rides for support if you're keen (thinking Peter, Lister, and Wheeler Tom Skinner who posts a free monthly training schedule on the Wheeler site - subtle plug).
Second, mental. You'll want to give up. You'll want to go slower. You'll want to wait for the Bs. Your body can do amazing things if you set your mind to it. Get over yourself and just dig. If your stem is covered in snot and slime post ride then you know you did your job.
Third, social. I think there tends to be a social stigma with regards to the A ride and I'm hoping that this thread and the guys who are regulars can try to break that. I don't take myself (too) seriously but I do like to go hard and get gutted. With any group ride there is an unspoken order to things. The regulars know this order quite well. When you jump in with the As try and figure this out. Ride smooth. Communicate. Work hard. I think that part of this stigma, whether real or imagined, is due, in part, to this. Get to know the ride and have fun.
Case in point, this morning a B rider jumped in with the As on our penultimate lap at Beacon. Great. There's no issue so far. But please don't immediately attack the group that you just joined after we've been working each other over for the past hour. And know how many laps are left for the group you just joined. And when you think you've won the sprint get to the left of the ring so we can continue on our way.
Thoughts?