As promised I have come back with the details of my first group ride. Our local trail group Facebook page had posted a Bikeland group ride @ the Cypresswood trails on Sunday morning. Wheels down by 9am.
My husband and I gathered our gear and drove to Collins park where everyone was meeting. As we pulled into the parking lot I saw the Bikeland tent, people and bikes everywhere. After finding a parking spot, I nervously unloaded my bike & gear, and was greeted by the super warm and friendly faces the cycling community is known for. Everyone gathered around for a group picture before they explained the plan and how they would split us up.
There was a beginner group and a fast group. I believe there were 14 of us in the beginner group. 36 riders in all. It was explained to me that in the beginner group there was no drop, meaning they wouldn't leave anyone behind, and that there was no pressure to ride anything. Everyone waited for everyone else.
Followed by the fast group leader (playfully) saying there was tons of pressure to ride stuff in the fast group. And of course, the increased speed.
As we headed for the trail, I could feel my anxiety level rising. I was afraid that I would be the person everyone had to wait on. I was afraid I would slow everyone else down. Which wasn't the case at all, but even if it was, everyone understands that in a slow group ride you're going to have to wait on others. I never encountered anything but a willingness to encourage and help. Well with the exception of faster riders trying to make it around slower riders or riders who were having trouble making it up ascents. I didn't think it rude when people rode around me, I thought it rude that I would make the ride harder for them by not letting them pass.
There were a couple of things I didn't ride that others did... but there were others that didn't ride as much as I did. And if they didn't, it wasn't a big deal. Not to me. Not to anyone. You don't ruin everyone else's fun by going around or walking a feature. It's always a good idea to skip things you're not confident about. The worst thing you can do is roll something then panic.
The pace was great, the group was great. We took lots of breaks to allow people to ride things or catch up. I actually wound up staying at the front of the group with the faster riders, which definitely surprised me. There was no judgment from me for any of the other riders. Mostly I was focused on my own anxiety and how I was doing as far as keeping up ect... and I think it's that way for a lot of riders.
In the end, all I know is that I had a blast out there. It was definitely something I'll do again.
After the ride we headed back to the parking lot for watermelon, Gatorade, bananas & pickles. Some people stayed for that and some left. For the people who stayed in was a social scene of meeting up with old friends and making new ones.
It was a fun time meeting a great group of people and I can't WAIT to do it again!
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| The beginning of the ride. |
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| We took plenty of breaks. |
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| Social scene @ the end of the ride. |
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Since this ride I have participated in many more with different groups. The Bikeland group has now added an intermediate pace, & a new guideline that if you decide to go with a faster group and find yourself falling behind to just fall back to the next group or stop and wait and the next group will pick you up. I just love how well these rides are organized. Kudos & special thanks to Robert Dickson of our local Bikeland bike shop, & his wife Amy for organizing and leading these rides every week. A special thanks to those who volunteer to lead & sweep on the rides as well.
If you're in the Houston area and want to check out the Cypresswood or Cypress Creek trails I highly recommend participating in one of these group rides each Sunday morning at 9am alternating between the two locations each week. These group rides cost you nothing and there is no obligation or pressure to buy anything. For more information join the Bikeland Saturday/Sunday Shop Ride Facebook page for time & location. Hope to see you there!
