Valley VeloRiders: January 2011

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Happy New Year - belated

A belated very Happy New Year to everyone.

Yes, I realize it has been a while since my last update, but most of the group activity has been on our bikes. While the Valley VeloRiders mailing list contains about 30-35 people, we do have a small core of 3-7 riders who come out to ride on a semi-regular basis. Even I have not been able to make several of the Fall 2010 rides due to other commitments.

Now this is an informal group and there are no regular ride announcements other than the weekly Saturday rides as those who want to ride just show up and join the Saturday morning group. I am hoping and planning for bigger and better things for 2011 and maybe even include some longer rides or day tours. I am open to ideas and hopefully we can see a greater turnout this year. The riding season will soon be upon us except for the few (like me) who ride year round.

Don't forget your regular bicycle maintenance and support your local bike shop for cycling related products and services. They are the best option for helping you keeping your bike maintained and supplied with the necessary bike toys :). Two excellent local shops are the Fort Langley Cyclery in Fort Langley and Cranky's Bike Shop in Aldergrove. Both provide excellent service and support.

Hope to see many of you join with us on our Saturday rides on your bikes.

Richard

Group Ride Classifications

This is a list of the various types or classification of rides with a brief description of each for those participating in Valley VeloRider group rides. The pace or speeds indicated are based upon average speed on level roads with no wind. These classifications will be specified in ride schedules so that each member can determine their participation level. No riders are left behind on any rides.

Leisure - Easy (15-22 kph) A leisurely pace and a short to medium distance of 30-40 km. This may includes stops as desired by ride participants. May include rollers and mild hills (3-4% grade). Re-group at hills and/or for slower riders if group spreads out.

Leisure - Medium (15-22 kph) A leisurely pace with medium length rides of 40-80 km. This type of ride may include rest stops and/or lunch, coffee shop stops as determined by the group. May include more challenging hills (4-6% grade) but there is no shame in walking up more challenging grades. Re-group at tops of hills and for slower riders if group spreads out.

Leisure - Long (15-22 kph) A leisurely pace but over longer distances of 80+ km. This would include longer rides outside of the lower mainland such as Vancouver Island or to Lynden and back. This is more of an enjoyable day tour to fully experience the ride, fellowship and surroundings. It will obviously include appropriate rest stops and a meal stop. Note that rides that take us over the US border will require up to date passports.

Medium - Medium (20-25 kph) A medium pace with medium length rides of 40-80 km. Can also be training rides for longer distance events. Can include a mid-point stop. Re-group at rest stops and tops of hills if group spreads out.
Medium - Long (20-25 kph) This is a medium pace and longer distances of 80+ km. This type of ride is geared more toward training for long distance riding events. There will be minimal stops on this type of ride but possible as required.

Hard - Any length (24-28 kph) This is for the roadies in the group that may want to schedule a ride for training purposes or for those that "feel the need for speed". It should also include more challenging hills for training purposes.

Valley VeloRiders

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Happy New Year - belated

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