Group rides for beginners

[zerpy]

Does anyone know of, of know where I could find info for, group rides for beginners? I have some friends I ride with on occasion, but they're always way out of site because I'm too pokey:) So I can't say I ride with them, I start out with them and catch up to them every once-in-a-while then meet them in the parking lot!

Anyway, I think it would be helpful to see how some people handle things on the trail.

Thanks
jas

[homebrewbiker]

Hi,

I have never done it, but I know Eric's in Maple Grove used to have group rides a Theodore Wirth on Sunday venings. I think they also have a formal bike club. You could probably do a little learning by example from them. Me, I just hack my way through stuff. It is not always pretty but I can usually get the job done. And, don't be afraid to get off the bike if you run into something you think you can't handle and would cause pain if you messed it up.

[Brick]

Originally posted by zerpy
Does anyone know of, of know where I could find info for, group rides for beginners? \
Anyway, I think it would be helpful to see how some people handle things on the trail.


How hard would it be to set up a MORC ride that was targeted at riders with less than a year or two of experience? You're not the only one out there who's new to this. Might be fun :cool:

[dragomni]

I'd be up for a beginner group ride in Red Wing on Memorial!

[jitterjepp]

They have a group ride leaving Kenwood Cycle on Tuesday nights at around six. I think they set out in two groups. One for faster riders and one that goes a little slower. I think. They ride the Wirth trails. Call them and ask whats up.

[Daddy X]

Bent Crank Racing has group rides on Tuesday nights and there are usually some slower riders along (me). Check out the site for details and calendar. www.bentcrankracing.com

[nigel]

I usually take a few people out on Sundays after work at around 4......usually go the river bottoms or terrace oaks, or road stuff. I try and get a feel for pacing in the first mile based on my experience with taking groups out then we all stay together once pace is set. Anyone breaks down we all learn how to fix it and stuff :) PM me if you wanna tag along sometime.

Douglas

[zerpy]

Good info, thanks much. Douglas, I will definately PM you.

jas

[manual63]

If MORC sets up a group ride for beginners, it would be a good idea to have at least one experienced rider there to help out and even give pointers. The experienced rider would hang with the group and just help out rather than just dart ahead. Maybe MORC could even set up lessons and charge money that will go into MORC. An experienced rider or two could volunteer their time to help out. Just an idea......

[Brick]

Originally posted by manual63
If MORC sets up a group ride for beginners, it would be a good idea to have at least one experienced rider there to help out and even give pointers.

Gee---sounds almost like your're volunteering....:eyeroll:

[manual63]

I would as long as a good convenient time could be set up. If there were charges involved, it should all go to MORC. Until something like that is organized, I would be willing to take a group out. I might have to follow and enforce rules I don't go by like wearing a helmet. Depending on the size of the group, there should be another skilled rider who has a different skill set than I do. I am very technical and can show how to do stuff like ride logs, bunny hops, drops and other things I have talked about in the Riding Tips section.

If enough of you want to go, let me know and we can plan something.

[zerpy]

I would be interested. Following your tips on the forum here have been a great way to get injured - I'm looking forward to all they great ways I can hurt myself trying to do what you do:)

Actually, it sounds like fun as long as you don't mind putting up with pokey people like me. Now finding a time is the hard part - my sched sucks. Actually my work sched is usually pretty flexible, so daytime rides work pretty well. Just wish it did for everyone else:)

I'd say tuesday evenings and weekends are probably the worst times for me. Tuesday's I have a tang soo do class, although with my wife graduating from college here that hasn't been happening either:crazy:

[manual63]

Well, if anyone else is interested, put in your two cents and we will see if we can plan something.

[Brick]

Originally posted by manual63
Well, if anyone else is interested, put in your two cents and we will see if we can plan something.

How does Sunday morning sound??

[qheuie]

i have taken several new riders to river bottoms and lebanon this year. what we usually do is put one experienced rider in the front to lead the way and alert new people of obstacles and put another in the back to make sure everyone is OK.

i would be willing to go on sunday morning.
this would be a good chance to invite your other friends that have been wanting to try mt biking.
if needed, i can bring an extra medium sized bike for someone that does not have a bike.

what time?
who else is in?

let me know..
josh

[manual63]

I am not sure how well Sunday morning will work. I will be at Chris' wedding on Saturday down in Wells and I do not know if I am coming home Saturday night or not. A little later Sunday might work, but I am not sure about the morning.

[nicnac]

It would be way cool to watch and get a better idea of how experienced people execute different moves.
Also having that person there to identify what I'm doing wrong would be awesome!
I guess for me, best times would be Thursday evenings (excluding tonight) or Sunday afternoon/evening

[manual63]

I can do this Sunday afternoon at Leb. I think 3ish or so. I think it will be busy, but it could still work. Either that or we can plan for the next week or weekend. I would stop and show riders how to do logs, corners, rocks and other technical stuff. If another experienced rider wants to come along, that would be great, but I think we need to limit experienced riders to 2 just so things don't get too confusing.

[qheuie]

i'll go, too.. i will call myself experienced :)

so we have Shad, Jamie, Eric (?, unless he is busy in the PM), and myself.
anyone else interested?

how does 4 pm sound, meet in the parking lot around 3:45 pm?

i have a grey ford truck.

see ya then
josh

[socrates]

Originally posted by qheuie
i'll go, too.. i will call myself experienced :)

so we have Shad, Jamie, Eric (?, unless he is busy in the PM), and myself.
anyone else interested?

how does 4 pm sound, meet in the parking lot around 3:45 pm?

i have a grey ford truck.

see ya then
josh

Guys you might want to go alittle later as that's peak riding time then...it's been getting slower around 6ish...and if you need 1 more "experienced" rider let me know

[qheuie]

very good point.

i can go anytime.
Shad, Jamie, Eric... you up for meeting around 5:30 ish?

[manual63]

Let's do 5 so it's doesn't get dark on us too fast. Even though it's light intil 8:30 or 9:00, the woods get harder to see in around 7:00 or 7:30 ish.

[nicnac]

that sounds good to me.
Thanks for taking the interest to help out like this :)

[qheuie]

np..
so far we have Shad, Jamie, and myself at Lebanon at 5 pm Sunday

[Brick]

Originally posted by nicnac
that sounds good to me.
Thanks for taking the interest to help out like this :)

Sunday @ 5 works for me!

[qheuie]

haha.. and Eric..
David you are certainly welcome, too :)

Shad, i have read some good stuff about your riding.. hoping i can learn from ya....

[manual63]

I will be there. If it rains we can just meet back here to make new plans.

This should be fun for everyone involved.

[socrates]

Originally posted by qheuie
haha.. and Eric..
David you are certainly welcome, too :)

Shad, i have read some good stuff about your riding.. hoping i can learn from ya....

Yeah you've gotta see the air he gets on the table-top in the XX loop....maybe that's why he keeps getting stung by bee's out there...must be a hive up in the upper part of the tree

[socrates]

Originally posted by manual63
I will be there. If it rains we can just meet back here to make new plans.

This should be fun for everyone involved.

Rain's not forecasted until Monday and then only scattered

[zerpy]

Sorry guys, but this weekend is out for me. I am putting on a grad party for my wife on Sat and I still have family in town on Sun.

Weekends are ususally pretty bad for me, but late afternoon, early evening timeframe on sunday's usually wouldn't be a problem. Just this weekend is bad. Maybe if you are doing it again next weekend I can make it.

This is kinda funny actually, I started this thread and I'm the one that can't make it:eyeroll:

[nicnac]

A friend of mine might join us sunday if thats not a problem. He's not a beginning rider by any means but he's been hoping to ride leb sometime and he loves group rides.

[manual63]

Anyone can join in on this ride. Just be warned, it is intended for the beginner riders and it will probably be a fairly slow pace. Besides, I kinda plan on stopping at places on the trail and we can do a little instruction if that's what you guys want. I used to teach out at Buck Hill in 97 and 98. It was a blast and riders really enjoyed having someone explain and show them stuff.

Dave mentioned my jumping ability. I don't think this will really be a part of this ride, unless someone wants to see pointers on that too. Jumping is a more advanced form of riding and it depends on what experience people have. I plan to bring my cross country bike and not my freeride bike anyway, so jumping it isn't as easy as on my P.2. Or would you rather me bring the P.2 and be my normal crazy self???? I don't know, it's your ride, not mine...you decide.

[socrates]

Originally posted by manual63
Anyone can join in on this ride. Just be warned, it is intended for the beginner riders and it will probably be a fairly slow pace. Besides, I kinda plan on stopping at places on the trail and we can do a little instruction if that's what you guys want. I used to teach out at Buck Hill in 97 and 98. It was a blast and riders really enjoyed having someone explain and show them stuff.

Dave mentioned my jumping ability. I don't think this will really be a part of this ride, unless someone wants to see pointers on that too. Jumping is a more advanced form of riding and it depends on what experience people have. I plan to bring my cross country bike and not my freeride bike anyway, so jumping it isn't as easy as on my P.2. Or would you rather me bring the P.2 and be my normal crazy self???? I don't know, it's your ride, not mine...you decide.

I was thinking along your original plan myself...if someone needs pointers on the advanced stuff they should join us on Tuesday's at 6pm for the group rides

[noise_is_life]

My plans for this weekend flopped, so I may try to show up for this too. I'm not technically a beginner (although some days I feel that way), but it sounds like a good opportunity to break the ice for a regular Tuesday ride.

I drive a green Subaru Outback.

[socrates]

Originally posted by Brick
Sunday @ 5 works for me!

Plans changed again....I'll be there :banana:

FYI trail seemed very dry again this morning...bugs weren't bad at all but this was before the clouds started to breakup (like 10am)...I'm going to assume the bugs will be bad by 6 so bring bug dope

[Brick]

Originally posted by socrates
I'm going to assume the bugs will be bad by 6

I guess that means that we'll just have to keep moving :cool:

[Brick]

A big thank-you for all of those who came out to ride today, whether it was to learn, or to "coach".

Three Bananas to Shad and Dave for taking charge of things. Good pointers on bike handling, it was good sometimes to just stop, talk, and then do.

:banana: :banana: :banana:

And bananas too for the more experienced riders who were there to provide needed guidance (Pedals Level!)

:banana: :banana:

Despite the fact that a local bike shop was having a corporate "thing" on the trails at the same time a good time was had by all. There was a good mix of new and experienced riders. and most did the X and XX loops as well.

It was really good to be pushed. I went through/over/up/around things a lot faster than I'm accustomed to.....I tend to pick-poke-and dawdle my way down the trail :eyeroll: when I ride alone (which is most of the time).

It was interesting to see what happened to my bike handling skills when my legs started to get seriously rubbery (and they did)....I have discovered a whole new set of problems to work on- I think that clipless pedals are in order--as well as finally getting that stem changed out.

There was a lot of other good information shared--incedental stuff like the causes for certain kinds of trail damage (washboard stuff) that was interesting to learn.

Most of all, it was good to get back on my bike and ride again-- Bottom line, I learned a hell of a lot!

Thanks to all!! I hope that everyone got as much out of it as I did--and it's always good to be able to put faces to names. We should really do this again sometime.:cool:

[manual63]

Your welcome. I am glad I can put my skills to more use than to just be selfish with them....:).

Good effort put in by all and I hope you all got something from the ride. We will have to plan another one sometime.

Keep in mind, the best way to become a better rider is by riding as often as you can. The more you ride, the more it will just feel natural to you.

Thanks for showing up.

[socrates]

Originally posted by Brick
Three Bananas to Shad and Dave for taking charge of things. Good pointers on bike handling, it was good sometimes to just stop, talk, and then do.

:banana: :banana: :banana:



You're quite welcome...glad you got something out of it....a big thanks to Shad for putting it together

[qheuie]

thanks for comin everyone, glad to know we all had a good time.
i look forward to riding with you guys on more group rides.

josh

[noise_is_life]

Thanks for the ride eveyone, it was a good time.

[zerpy]

I'm glad it went well, wish I could have been there...

Are you guys planning on doing another one soon?

jas

[nicnac]

I want to give everybody involved yesterday a huge THANK YOU! Dave, Shad, Josh, and his friends really handled this ride in about the best way I could imagine. I was able to get so much out of it. Since we were able to have enough experienced riders staggered throughout the group, I was able (at some points ) to see how the person ahead would handle things. The person behind me was able to watch how i was riding and offer some great feedback and pointers when we would stop. I want to thank Dave for pointing out what was coming ahead on the trail and how to prepare for it. Towards the end I was pretty much wiped and having that insight probably saved me from crashing or walking! heh
Anyway, it was very cool to be able to put some faces to the names/posts.
I had a great time meeting/riding with you all. I hope to be able to do it again soon!

[Brick]

......and no-one got a picture of Shad wearing a helmet either......:crazy:

[Trevize1138]

Wow, looks like someone stumbled upon a great idea here!

:banana:

Is this going to be a regular thing? Every Sunday at 5 a group ride for beginners. It'd be nice to strike up conversations with beginner riders you see on the trails and be able to mention "You know, if you really are interested in improving, you should stop by here at 5 p.m. on a Sunday and hook up for FREE lessons."

The better the riders are on the trails, the better for the trail, I say. Less washboard effect on downhills here and there and such, ya know?

[manual63]

Originally posted by zerpy
I'm glad it went well, wish I could have been there...

Are you guys planning on doing another one soon?

jas

Maybe there can be regular a Sunday ride. I can't be sure I will always make it, but as long as a couple of experienced riders show, it can help. Even if a group of beginner riders got together and help eachother out, they could improve thier golf swing.

Chris' mentioned it and it's up to the riders who want to ride to plan it. I will try to make it when I can and I will be able to let you know a day or two in advance if I can make it.

[nicnac]

For the most part, a Sunday afternoon ride is always good with my schedule. (Next Sunday will probably be the exeption because we're camping.)
I really enjoyed this Sunday's ride and would love to do it again!

[qheuie]

i am on board for more frequent beginner rides.
like Shad, i will be able to tell you whether or not i can make it at least a day or two in advance.

josh

[zerpy]

Ditto here then on being able to tell a day or two in advance...

So far I think sunday looks good. I'll have to tell my calendar...er wife, about that:)

Have fun
jas

[socrates]

Originally posted by Brick
......and no-one got a picture of Shad wearing a helmet either......:crazy:

I told you guys I forgot my camera!!!!! :sick:

[socrates]

Originally posted by zerpy
Ditto here then on being able to tell a day or two in advance...

So far I think sunday looks good. I'll have to tell my calendar...er wife, about that:)

Have fun
jas

I'm with all these guys...can typically tell a week out

[manual63]

My wifes birthday is this Sunday, so I think I will be busy. I want to take her horseback riding.......I am not sure if I will be taking her Sunday, but hopefully I can.

[manual63]

Originally posted by Brick
......and no-one got a picture of Shad wearing a helmet either......:crazy:

I did realize some benifits to wearing a helmet. First, it vents better than a B-Ball hat. Second, it actually is lighter, especially after the B-Ball hat gets all sweaty. Third, when I am wearing clipless, I have a higher risk of falling on my head than when I am on platforms like on my P.2.

My new personal helmet rule is going to be this. I will wear one whenever I have clipless pedals on and riding off-road. Besides that, I probably will stick with not wearing one. My self rules change from time to time, so who knows what the future has in store for my head.

[Maverick]

I like the idea of having regular beginner rides. I'll come when I can.

Thanks again to all that give me pointers last Sunday. The seat pinching thing really helps, thanks Shad.

Any thoughts as far as having an intermediate group lesson/ride sometime?

[gopherhockey]

The MORC board voted to start up some beginner rides this year... its great that some of you have taken the initiative and started doing this!

[socrates]

Originally posted by gopherhockey
The MORC board voted to start up some beginner rides this year... its great that some of you have taken the initiative and started doing this! Did they also vote for Liz and you to host the "after-ride party"?? You don't really need to be home, just leave a key under the mat and put some food/beer in the fridge

[manual63]

Originally posted by gopherhockey
The MORC board voted to start up some beginner rides this year... its great that some of you have taken the initiative and started doing this!

Since I am strapped for cash these days and can't afford to support MORC with money, I am willing to help out by helping with the Beginner rides. Do you know what MORCs plan for this is yet?

[zerpy]

I confirmed with my walking calendar...um, my wife :crazy: and I'm up for sunday at 5 if there is a ride going on (althought I may drop dead from heat exhaustion:) ). I'm the fat guy on the 21inch black specialized.

have fun
jas

[manual63]

Originally posted by zerpy
I'm the fat guy on the 21inch black specialized.

You can change that.....keep riding and enjoy.

[noise_is_life]

You can change that.....

That's assuming you want to, Ride Large Baby!

[zerpy]

Originally posted by manual63
You can change that.....keep riding and enjoy.

Why? I like my bike. I could have gotten a red one, but I like black better... :crazy:

Yes that is changing. I would have been the 400lb fat guy on a bike (that is if I tried biking when I was that heavy) but I've gotten rid of a hundred of it. I figure I have somewhere between another 60 to 100 lbs to go.

Anyway, I think I spoke too soon about being available on Sun. the fit has hit the shan here at work at I will probably be working on Sunday. So I may or may not be there. If I can I will be there but it looks like I have a job to do.

I can't complain much, I haven't had to work a sunday in a very long time.

Maybe next time?!?! If possible I may show up, but just don't count on it.

thanks
jas

[socrates]

Originally posted by zerpy
Why? I like my bike. I could have gotten a red one, but I like black better... :crazy:

Yes that is changing. I would have been the 400lb fat guy on a bike (that is if I tried biking when I was that heavy) but I've gotten rid of a hundred of it. I figure I have somewhere between another 60 to 100 lbs to go.

Anyway, I think I spoke too soon about being available on Sun. the fit has hit the shan here at work at I will probably be working on Sunday. So I may or may not be there. If I can I will be there but it looks like I have a job to do.

I can't complain much, I haven't had to work a sunday in a very long time.

Maybe next time?!?! If possible I may show up, but just don't count on it.

thanks
jas

Yeah...it's unfortunate how much work gets in the way of our personal lives isn't it :cryin:

Hope you're able to make it...if not we'll see you next Sunday

[zerpy]

Well, I wasn't able to make it. How many people went for a ride?

As much as I'd like to go. Sitting in a nice air conditioned office was quite welcome with the heat. I probably wouldn't have made it very far is these temps, if I rode at all. I don't know how you guys do it.

We'll see what happens next weekend...:)

have fun

[socrates]

Originally posted by zerpy
Well, I wasn't able to make it. How many people went for a ride?

As much as I'd like to go. Sitting in a nice air conditioned office was quite welcome with the heat. I probably wouldn't have made it very far is these temps, if I rode at all. I don't know how you guys do it.

We'll see what happens next weekend...:)

have fun

Zero...Zippo...No-one...so I just did the XX loops a few times instead :-)

[Mateo]

I would love to learn some technique without feeling lame about my speed and endurance (just started riding this season)...

Is the Sundays at 5PM thing still happening?

[socrates]

Originally posted by Mateo
I would love to learn some technique without feeling lame about my speed and endurance (just started riding this season)...

Is the Sundays at 5PM thing still happening?

Not sure if I'll be able to make it.....anyone else make it?

[Mateo]

I'm actually booked tomorrow... Just wondering if it was happening in general. :)


Thanks!

- Mateo

[nicnac]

I've been gone the last few Sundays but still interested in the beginner rides. It was definately fun and helpful for me. Does anybody know what the prospects look like for this upcoming Sunday?

[manual63]

I might be interested in doing another one. I would want to start earlier, like around 4:00 or so. I will post here on Friday to let people know if I can be there Sunday.

[Brick]

I was going to try to come down in the morning.....9:30, maybe 10:00....can't make the afternoon this week.

[zerpy]

Well, God willing and the creek don't rise I will be able to make it. Morning isn't a possibility, I'm booked until about noon with church activities. But, afternoon should be fine (unless something blows up at work - I need to find some wood to knock on...).

Looks like it is going to be pretty nice weather too. That'll be nice, I can't ride in the darn heat we've had the past couple of weeks.

jas

[manual63]

I plan to ride Sunday at 4:00 at Leb. If something comes up, I will post it here, but right now, I plan to be there.

Anyone interested in a beginner to intermediate ride should show up. It was a lot of fun. I will probably ride my P.2 this time because my XC bike is pretty beat and is close to done for the season. I need to fix the rear wheel, fork, and just plain old tune it up.

[nicnac]

4:00 works for me.
see you all then

[zerpy]

4:00 sounds good here as well.

see ya there.
jas

[socrates]

Opps sorry...wife made plans...wont be able to make it...

[KleinCrazy]

I might also be able to make it.

If people are interested, I'll bring the video cam and get some handheld shots of various parts of the trail.

Since this is to be a beginner/inter ride pace and riding as hard as possible won't be something I'll have to fight right?

L8er
James

[zerpy]

Well, crap! I'm really sorry I crapped out on you guys. With the heat this past August, I haven't ridden hardly at all. Then with the flu that I had I haven't even had any kind of a work out for a week. I guess I just pushed myself too hard by thinking I could ride as I normally would.

Normally I do need to stop and catch my breath a few times throughout the trail, but I almost blacked out going up that hill - that has never happened before. I've bonked before but then your muscles just don't want to work anymore. This was quite a bit different and scared the crap out of me.

Well, better luck next time I guess. With the cooler weather I'm going to be riding more often, maybe that'll help. BTW, Shad, thanks for the riding tips on hills. Maybe that'll help more next time as well.

Again, I apologize for crapping out on you guys! I've really been looking forward to that ride. And today the weather was almost perfect too, that just sucks!

have fun
jas

[nicnac]

Hey Jas, don't sweat Sunday. Flu residuals can be nasty like that.

I want to thank everyone for the helpful pointers during the ride. That was the toughest riding I've ever done :)
I had a blast!

[manual63]

We just had two and it worked great. I was able to stop and spend some time showing specific areas. I was glad to see actual improvement and it made me excited to see I could teach some good techniques.

I know Jamie was one of them, but I forgot the other guys name. You both did well.......

Jason, the flu can do more than you think. You'll do better next time.......don't let it discourage you.

Hope you guys enjoyed it as much as I.