Improving Tuesday-Thursday Training Rides

BBC member Wes Harris contributes the following commentary aimed specifically at the Tuesday-Thursday Training Rides. But his comments apply perfectly well to all club rides, and especially those without a designated leader. - Editor.

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Several people have suggested to me that we need to address a few of items about the weekly Tuesday, Thursday training ride. 1)      The pace of the group out of town is a little fast.  We should keep the speed down and observe traffic rules to help keep the group together as this is really just warm-up time anyway.  Once we hit the open road outside of high traffic areas then we can increase the pace to whatever. 2)      Identify rendezvous points prior to start of the ride and get a head count of riders at the park. This will help keep track of stragglers.  It’s also nice to let the group know if you intend to drop off or turn back so we don’t wait needlessly. 3)      Rendezvous points should not be at the top of climbs.  I know this seems like a logical place but it’s actually physically a bad idea.  The last thing you want to do after a hard effort like a hill is stop and let the lactic acid that has just been built up stay in your legs stay there.  It’s better to pedal easy down the road a ways first after the hill to a rendezvous point.  Also we should attempt to stay out of traffic as much as possible at the RP. It’s also a good idea to let new riders to the TTTR know what is going to take place and what they can expect.  Mike Finger does a great job with this and this is in no way meant to diminish his contribution.