Several of the A-rider co-captains have recently had a series of discussions on revising the description of the A rides, as well as the "A ride protocol".  I still need to finish the final editing, but I'm including a copy of the text here so people will know what the A rides are about.

A Riders Road Group
Group Captain: Scott Pfaff (may change)
Group Speed: 19-22
Group Distance: 40-85
Ride Leaders (co-captains):

 Derek Schanze
 Huan Dinh
 Kerry Duggan
 Ken Sallot
 Lambert Vaes
 Shannon Woodruff
 Jayson O'Mahoney

About the A-Riders
A group that strives to maintain a very high level of fitness and endurance.  The average speed of the rides generally falls between 19 and 21 miles per hour, which means at times our cruising speed may reach up to 23-24 miles per hour (with a tailwind, etc).

Being blessed with miles of beautiful scenery in the surrounding area, the A-riders do not do the same course each weekend, and instead pick out a different route each week.  The group posting to the GCC list will try to include a link to a map of the route and details on the planned duration for that weekends ride.  There will always be options available for people who wish to go a shorter distance, and in the summer months we will provide an optional route for people who wish to keep their ride to two hours, but still wish to leave with a larger group.  Often there is a stop along the way, usually 30-50 miles into the longer route.

The overall average speed for the entire ride usually will fall between 19 and 22 MPH. In the first half of the ride, the group will try to remain together, which means we will regroup after all sprint points and keep the pace down.  However, riders should still feel comfortable with riding at a pace of 19-22mph in a group.

Although A-riders will endeavor to stay together as a group for the majority of the ride, during the last hour, the A riders will frequently increase the pace of the ride for training.  During this last hour, the pace of the ride may exceed 24-25mph.  When this occurs the ride will frequently split into several groups and single riders may be left behind. When the group splits you cannot count on it reforming.

To attain these higher speeds in the last hour of the ride, the riders use several different pace line formations; riders who are unfamiliar with the various rotating pace lines are encouraged to stay in the back of the peloton.

The pace will be slower when:

   * We go up hills

   * There is a strong headwind

The pace will be faster when:

   * We are going down a hill

   * There is a tailwind

   * All members of the group agree to go faster

   * During the last segment of the ride

Some members of the A-ride may at times choose to do intervals.  Although we would prefer that those riders do them on their own ride, and not interfere with the A-ride rotation, riders who insist on doing intervals during the A-ride should first let the group know what they are doing and then drop off the back of the group for their interval.

Start Locations
The North rides meet at the NW Chevron on the corner of Millhopper Road and 43rd street.  The South rides meet by "the rock" at Turlington Plaza on the University of Florida campus.

Between December 1st and August 31st, the A-riders will follow the following schedule:

1st/3rd/5th Saturday - North start
1st/3rd/5th Sunday - South start

2nd/4th Saturday - South start
2nd/4th Sunday - North start

During UF's football season (September 1st-November 30th), the A-rides will go North on Saturday and South on Sunday.


Start Times
Between November 15th and March 31st, the A-rides will depart at 9AM.  After April 1st, the ride times will shift to 8AM.  During the summer months, the Saturday ride may start at 7:30 to "beat the heat," but this will be announced in email.


Group membership is open to all Gainesville Cycling Club members. To join, sign in to the Members Area, go to the My Riding block, and click on "Join A Group".


 

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