Guys I don't know whats going on, but for me should we not be looking after the people at the back and going at that pace, It seems to me it depends who turns up at the club runs to what pace is set and for me sometimes its far to fast and I seem to be spending my time cycling alone as I need the miles but not the stress of keeping up. Its a club guys and should be social and encouraging new members. Sorry I know I am only a newbie and a big thank you to every one that have stayed with me at the back. Looking forward to Sunday 🙂

@Craig wrote:

As for hills putting people off, I have never met a cyclist who can't climb hills, its the pace that is expected that puts people off. ..... It's the speed more than the terrain that puts people off, the thought of hanging on all day is not a good one.

Totally agree - my legs have slowed down over the years yet I can still climb most hills (including Mow Cop etc) but it has to be at my slower pace now, so yes we can all climb hills but it's constantly having to catch up that puts people off.
As Dave Astles used to say "if you want to go fast put a number on your back"

In the final analysis a club run should be just that, a socialable ride, and yes there's always going to be rivalry and a bit of competition plus the banter that is special to cycling, but to avoid discouraging newer riders a good balance is needed.
Hope that helps

I'm no climber but do enjoy the challenge. However week and week of club runs in the hills, will put me off going on them. If this is the case I will do my own thing. I don't want to as I joined the club to cycle with friends and have a laugh.

As El stated a balance needs to be found. A flat ride followed by a hilly one etc. Having hilly rides in the hope it keeps everyone together isn't the answer. It's having a group and leader that looks after eachother. If people are struggling at the back, the front get to know about it. And we half a rev and go at a pace that is suitable for all.

Again i agree with Jules.
As a general rule we do keep together and work pretty well anyway as a group anyway.
It is about having a good balance of runs, this will keep things interesting too. Also, from a slightly selfish point of view; as someone with racing ambitions (as quite a few of the long run riders are), it's no good not having a good balance of runs. I'm not talking about a "training ride" here (although, by it's nature any ride is a training ride!) but a sociable clubrun.
I also have to agree with Eleanor & echo what i did say after the Loggerheads run - i think Craig is doing a cracking job of organising runs. On the Loggerheads run i've no idea of the number of times i said to myself, 'where the hell are we now?'. All of that stuff, new roads, new challenges, is great & I think Craig does a great job of that.

Hello All: Simple answer to these TBA rides for May
Hilly Ride :someone? take one on the day (hills depend on route) 😉
Intermediate Ride: someone ?take one on the day (hills & speed depend on route & leader) 😉
Short Ride :someone? take one on the day (speed depend on leader) 😉

Well said Al.

Sounds good Al, see you when I get back from my hols and Craig see you Sunday for a fab ride out and a good laugh 🙂

Think the point has been missed. The feeling of myself and others is we don't want a hilly ride every week. The club runs should cater for all and have a mix. I'm sure if the longer ride is lead correctly and we look out for eachother there won't be any problems.
But there needs to be a better mix of rides. You aren't going to please everyone, but you never will.

If you look at the terrain I have proposed a good mix. Winkhill and Longor are hilly. Garth has one climb to the cafe, the rest is flat. Eccleshall is also flat. I know lots of riders who would join the long run, but are wary of the pace. Put a group of strong riders together and I can't see the pace being anything but challenging. No rider wants to appear a killjoy, constantly asking for the pace to be dropped a notch. This is the point I have been trying to raise, I don't want riders to slow down, strong riders should be allowed to batter themselves as silly as they like, but there also should be an outlet for riders who want miles but not the pace. That is why I offered to take such a run and not interfere with the strong groups dynamic. Not every cyclist wants to race.

totally agree