A square peg?
Hi Adelaide Cyclist people,
Maybe I am a square peg in the proverbial round hole. Perhaps I should change my AC name to "The Lone Rider". I am wondering if there is a riding group out there in good ol' Adelaide that I could fit into. I live near Brighton, so most of the northern groups would be out of range.
I am new to road cycling. I bought a bike and I joined Bicycle SA and Adelaide Cyclists. I am trying hard. I want to join in with other cyclists, but I know I am slow, very slow at going up hills. I would like to have a leg transplant and get a pair of man-legs. Man legs, and other women who have fortunate genetics and have the equivalent of man-legs pass me all the time.
Because of my slowness on ascents and my newness to all this, I can't ride with any group. I am too slow for them, or too fast for the dawdlers. I read on here all about people going on fun rides all the time, but I want to do all the hills too (the complete rides) but I don't want to be left behind, so I go always alone.
I forced myself up Mt Lofty 7 times now. I joined in Amy's ride and did the 100km. I did not stop on Willunga Hill. I did GUG - Mt Lofty ride, no stopping.
I too went for a ride on Sunday. I went to Mt Lofty summit and had a coffee. Then I decided to go back down the Greenhill Road way. I was pushed about something terrible by the wind. I couldn't stay on the shoulder (near as practicable to the Left Hand side of the road, as the rules state, besides there was a lot of rubble and rubbish,sticks and stones on there anyway) and I found that I was forced, for safety reasons, to take the lane. I was unmercifully abused by a fugly great fat greedy 4 WD vehicle, leaning on the horn and overtaking with a massive roar, closer than a bee's whisker, at incredible speed on solid double lines before a bend. It is so easy for a car driver to harass you when you are a vulnerable cyclist, alone. There are no witnesses. Car drivers like that.
Add to that - those gusty winds. I must say 60kms per hour down the hill (in places) with being pushed all over the place, I was a more than a bit nervous and had massive trouble keeping left. Fortunately except for the early harassment by the driver of the 4WD, I had nobody close behind me at all.
Is a group out there where I might fit?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by David Arnold on -
You could join the Southern Suburbs Cycling Group (Muddies)
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Permalink Reply by Just another psycho-list on -
I must check this one out. Now I know what that acronym is that I have seen written on AC a lot...SSCG
I just worked out FUIC is Farmer's Union Iced Coffee (that's right, isn't it?) That took me some doing!
You guys speak another tongue most of the time.
Muddies. Is that something to do with getting all muddy? Do they ride through muddy puddles and splash each other? Do they go hunting Queensland Mud Crabs? There is probably a good reason for that name?
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Permalink Reply by Frank on
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Hey man, stay away from greenhill road, its a demon!
The key is to get some K's under your belt and you will be fine, just keep on riding and you be amazed how quickly you will get up to speed, don't give up and keep on doing hills but also flat long rides are good.
If you have done some group rides, perhaps try the Scuzzi group in north adelaide on tuesday nights(tonight), they leave at 6.00pm.
Do your best and if you drop off, so be it but next time or the one after, you be fine.
Keep it up mate, we all started somewhere.
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Permalink Reply by Just another psycho-list on
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Thanks guys :-)
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Permalink Reply by David B.o.R. on -
Greenhill is terrifying.
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Permalink Reply by Torsten Bunge on -
+1 for the Scuzzi ride, it's where I started.
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BTW, I said "guy" as I never read the name properly, apology!
I also like the GSD, as your avatar, nice!
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Permalink Reply by Just another psycho-list on
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Thanks - I don't mind if you say "guy". I would like to be an honorary guy! I wouldn't mind a pair of their legs instead of mine.
Oh and thanks for liking the GSD - she was the faithful and the best (1995-2009)
BTW how do I find out more about where and what the Scuzzi group is all about...meeting where? speeds etc. I don't want to be an anchor to any group.
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Permalink Reply by Gillian on
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Hi Katrina - that sounds very familiar to me!
The Muddies/SSRC rides happen every Saturday. The Muddies (every fortnight on Sat) tackle some hills to extend you a bit but will always regroup at the top. There are slow guys and girls. The SSRC L rides happen every other weekend and are basically a fun ride to encourage new or inexperienced riders. Speed doesn't matter at all on these ones and there are no big hills. Both are great friendly bunches with only very occasional chest beating :-)
If you can get out to Gawler Wheelers they run 2 rides most weekends - a flat/undulating and a hills ride. Also a very friendly group that will look after all riders irrespective of speed. Being a large group there is always an appropriate wheel to suck. Hills rides are often split into fast and slow groups.
CVSA ride every Sunday from St Peter's Girls School (Stoneyfell) and have a larger gathering for a "training ride" once a month. They have fast, medium and slow groups and are very tolerant of slower riders. I pushed my luck last Sunday and joined the Medium group, not having any idea what Montecute Rd was like. Mistake! However, there was still a jolly group waiting for me at the top :-)
Then there's me! Always looking for a ride partner who is either my speed up hills or a very tolerant faster rider - yes, they do exist. I'm currently trying to get my fitness sorted for Ride Like Crazy. Vaguely considering TDU ride. I'm available almost every day of the week at the moment if you want to hook up for a spin.
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Permalink Reply by Matt Brennan on -
Great summary Gillian!
Patricks Muddies ride leaves from Hallet Cove - Cafe Rimi (sp) which is just up cement hill for you.
There are a couple of hills this ride - and trust me I will be going slow up them :)
If you are worried about the group pace - wattsys L ride the week after would be the golden opportunity. There are experienced riders for advice, some very new people and lots of in betweeners!
And the motto is 'no one gets left behind!'
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Permalink Reply by Just another psycho-list on
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Yes, thank you Matt. That sounds great too. It is just up the hill from me. I often go up to Hallet Cove for an after work jaunt.
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Permalink Reply by David Southern on -
And one doesn't have to go up Cement Hill to get to Rimini's. You can use the Cove Road (or the bike track beside it) to Hallett Cove Station, and then head inland.
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