Group Rides

From MORC Wiki

There has been some discussion lately regarding group rides. This is an attempt to give additional information regarding the various rides available and what to expect.

Contents 1 Finding Group Rides 2 Where Do You Ride? 3 Who Can Post Group Rides? 4 Are All Group Rides MORC Events? 5 How Fast Will The Group Be? 6 I'm New, Am I Still Welcome? 7 I'm a Woman. Are there Women Only Rides? 8 What Should I Bring To A Group Ride? 9 Post-Ride 10 Is Alcohol Allowed? 11 Are There Night Rides? 12 Winter Group Riding?

[edit] Finding Group Rides

The best place to find out about a group ride is in the Group Rides forum or on the Calendar. Most include the location, date and time in the title, such as:

Ride: Lebanon Hills, Thursday July 19 @ 6:30pm

Some posts will contain more information than others - it depends on the mood of the poster.

[edit] Where Do You Ride?

Just about every trail has a group ride happening at some point in the week. Many have regular weekly rides that usually go year-round and happen unless it rains.

From time to time there are rides scheduled out of state. These take group riding to an entirely other level. One of the more popular events is the Fruita Fat Tire Festival held out in Colorado each spring. Often you will find over 50 Minnesotan's making the trek out there to join in on the fun and riding.

There are other excellent trails within a day drive of the metro area. Levis Trow, Rock Lake, Nine Mile (to name just a few). Camping and group riding together is an experience you do not want to miss! Watch for a yearly group ride at Levis Trow around September - in 2007 we are calling it "Levis II" or "Bob Fest 07" because one of our local regulars, Bob Shepherd, is turning 50. (and because it will be the second annual event). We are 99.9% sure it will take place on September 29-30th.

[edit] Who Can Post Group Rides?

Anyone can! Most group rides do not have official ride leaders or requirements. They are just a way to get out there and have some fun with fellow mountain bikers.

[edit] Are All Group Rides MORC Events?

Contrary to what most people think, most rides posted in the forums are not official MORC events. Many are posted by MORC members, but are not in any way official. Don't expect too much formality at most of these events - we are all mountain bikers after all. Most will try gather the group together prior to starting out. Don't let a group ride reflect on the organization itself.. sometimes the group will not have formal introductions and may take off up the trail at a pace you are not used too. Usually there are enough people so that everyone has a riding partner, but sometimes it doesn't work out that way. If you find yourself alone on the trail please don't be discouraged - it is likely the group will stop and re-group fairly soon into the ride so that everyone can unofficially judge the ride pace. If introductions are not made, feel free to extend your hand and introduce yourself. Posting up so the group knows to expect you is always appreciated.

[edit] How Fast Will The Group Be?

This is a tough one, and can be quite subjective. One individuals fast is another person's medium or slow pace. Speed is not the concern of many of the group rides, and often mini-groups will form out of the larger group. One should never let speed deter them from trying out a group ride. If you really need to know, post up and ask. Questions such as lap times and routes are always good ways to find this out.

[edit] I'm New, Am I Still Welcome?

Most group rides posted in the forums are open to anyone. If it was a private ride, it would likely not be posted where everyone can see it. Check the post just to be sure and feel free to ask questions.

[edit] I'm a Woman. Are there Women Only Rides?

Yes! MORC has the best ladies in the sport. Some are posted in the Group Rides area, or check out the Women's Only Forum as they are often hidden in there as to not attract dudes. Most Woman's rides are no-men allowed, but sometimes they will start and end at the same time as another group. This lets you feel comfortable that you will be riding with women but can have an opportunity to meet more people as well. We discourage men joining in on women's rides for many reasons. Double check with the poster of the event just to be sure.

[edit] What Should I Bring To A Group Ride?

Typically whatever you normally bring when you ride alone is what you bring to a group ride: helmet, bike, shoes, gloves etc. (most trails require helmets, and most group rides frown upon people who don't wear them) Bring sports gel or drink as necessary. See Post-Ride below for more optional items.

While most group rides posted are not official MORC events, it is strongly suggested that you wear a helmet on all posted group rides. In general this is required of most parks, but it isn't something we can enforce easily so we just ask that you bring your helmet and ride safe!

[edit] Post-Ride

Mountain Bikers can be a fun group to hang out with after a ride. Many times a group will gather around after the ride for a cold one and BS for a while... if you are new, be sure to feel welcomed and pull up a chair! Sometimes one of the riders will even bring treats... these are always welcome and appreciated. If you are really lucky, you will be on a ride that features Katie's Sex Cake, Brianna's Pie, or Liz's Popcorn Balls! A nice to have at a group ride is a lawn type folding chair and a cooler of your favorite drink.

Recently some group rides have even gone out to a local establishment post-ride. For example, the Thursday Leb rides often end up at OC. (Old Chicago) All are certainly welcome there as well.

[edit] Is Alcohol Allowed?

If you spend much time in the MORC forums or around most mountain bikers you will discover that beer can be as important as bikes at most rides. Most areas allow beer but usually not hard alcohol. Check the land managers web site for official word on this, or PM the Trail Steward. Post-ride fun quite often involves beer. (in the winter there may even be hot cider or hot chocolate!) Often people will have enough in case you don't have any to bring along. If you have a favorite and want to share, by all means bring a few with. Some may argue this, but Fat Tire or New Belgium Beers are said to be the official beers of mountain biking and are always a good way to break the ice. (feel free to argue that in the non-biking forum) Not a beer drinker? Don't worry, you don't have to drink to have fun. Its interesting that the paragraph on alcohol is so long isn't it? Since this is a MORC area we should add the over 21 years of age disclaimer and also remind everyone to drink in moderation and never drink & drive.

[edit] Are There Night Rides?

You have to ask? Of course! Often in the fall and winter we find ourselves losing light early, so we adapt by bringing out the lights. Night riding is an exciting time and is best done in groups to be safe. Most posts will identify if the ride is expected to require lights - often rides starting in the early fall will have one day lap and one night lap. Rides starting around October are usually 100% night riding. Sometimes people will have a light to share, so if you have never ridden at night and are not sure about it watch the post as often you will see extra lights available to try! It is considered polite if borrowing a light to show up to the ride early, as it can often take a while to configure them properly. (usually 30 minutes prior is sufficient)

Check out our other information on Building Lights and our Night Riding page.

[edit] Winter Group Riding?

This is Minnesota, you have to ask? Seriously though, there are a few limited trails that do allow winter riding that are maintained enough to be ridden all year round. Check out the posts to find out where, or check our Winter Riding information page for more details.