Monday Group Ride:
The SCC Intro Ride
Mild
to moderate paced ride of about an hour with a no drop policy. The goal of the
ride is to introduce novice riders to group riding skills/etiquette and to
provide an opportunity for riders new to the area to experience SCC group
riding.
Drop
Policy: “No drop”
Group
will adjust to stay together at all times.
Group
riding skill level recommendation: “Novice”
This
is the ride to learn the basics of riding in a group. The emphasis is on
safety…both yours and the groups.
Tuesday Group Ride:
Race Simulation
Our
local road-race simulation ride. Duration is typically 1.5 to 2 hours of fast, “surging”,
all-out fun. If you get dropped, be prepared to find your own way home or hook
up with others to cruise back to Southern Pines. Please note that the group
must obey all traffic laws AND respect the yellow line rule.
Drop
Policy: “You’re on your own”
This
is pretty self-explanatory so be prepared to get yourself back to SoPi.
Group
riding skill level recommendation: “Race
Ready”
Peloton
rules are in effect. In other words, the ride progresses as the Peloton sees
fit which often means no waiting to be asked to pull-through, attacking is ok, and
the Peloton enforces etiquette…remember, it’s a simulation so there are no
officials!
Wednesday Group Ride:
Classic Club Ride.
Moderate
paced ride of typically 1.5 to 2 hours in duration that is intended to develop group
riders in a fun and supportive environment. This means being challenged at
times but, for the most part, offering a steady fitness pace with plenty of
folks to help with skills development…in other words, expect a nice smooth
steady ride but beware of the “local” sprints and hill climbs ;)
Drop
Policy: “We’ll get you home”
The
drop policy is to try to keep riders starting with the group with the group
unless ride leaders and the rider determine dropping off is a better
alternative for the group and/or the rider. Ride leaders will check in with any
rider before that rider is dropped.
Group
riding skill level recommendation: “Knowledgeable”
Riders
taking on the Classic Club Ride should have basic knowledge of how to ride in a
group but do not need extensive experience since this is the ride to gain the
experience as you build your fitness. As with club group rides around the
world, there will be plenty of experienced folks willing to provide coaching/support
and there are even the occasional “practice sessions” for trying out group
riding techniques (e.g. continuous rotating paceline, echelons).
Thursday Group Ride:
The Long Breakaway
Fast
paced ride of typically 1.5 to 2 hours in duration with an emphasis on group
cohesion. You’ll need to leave your ego at home for this ride as it’s all about
working for the group by adopting a “smooth is fast and fast is smooooooth” mentality.
Drop
Policy: “You get what you give”
Riders
can be dropped from this ride but, if you play nice with others and do your
fair share of the work, the group will often take care of you – chose another
approach and you may find yourself on your own ;)
Group
riding skill level recommendation: "Experienced"
As
the name suggests, this ride is modeled after the long breakaway seen in many
road races where the focus is getting the whole group home ahead of the race.
The higher pace of this ride puts emphasis on smooth bike handling skills and
the riders’ ability to adjust their riding to support the group dynamic…i.e.
keeping the pace high without blowing apart the group.
Friday Group Ride:
Social Ride
Easy
to moderate paced ride focused on giving riders a chance to catch up with each
other while easing into the weekend. This ride is as long as the group wants to
make it but usually ends just in time for “happy hour”.
Drop
Policy: “Ha…now wouldn’t that be anti-social”
No
one getting dropped here unless they are a grumpy muppett spoiling the Friday
afternoon fun.
Group
riding skill level recommendation: "Knowledgeable"
Much
the same as the Classic Club ride on Wednesday’s but don’t expect any coaching
as this would interfere with the socializing…
Saturday/Sunday Group Rides:
Show & Go
Looking
for the some weekend exercise, then swing by and consider a weekend group ride.
These rides totally depend on who shows and who goes but previews are often
posted to the SCC Facebook page. Routes, durations, pace and style of the ride
are all finalized at the start but will typically follow the general riding
season: shorter rides in Winter/Spring, longer rides in Summer/Fall. At the
start, the group can/will adjust based on what folks want to do or you can
always choose to go your own way…so If you are not sure of any aspect, please
pose questions to the group so that you know what you are getting into.
If
you need additional information on the SCC Facebook page, please send us an
email at sandhillscycling@gmail.com.
