If you read my #bikeschool post from last week you’ll not be surprised to hear that I have not been anywhere near my bike this week and it’s already starting to send me a little bit crazy! I keep seeing guys and gals riding around on all sorts of bikes, not just carbon racers and I think to myself, “I want to be part of that”. I remember that feeling from some years ago when I got my first road bike and hopefully some of these tips will assist you getting out with the local chain gangs in the coming months if you have been holding off riding with others. If you are a regular group rider please do add your own tips and tricks at the bottom in the comments section.

Be not afraid

Firstly let me dispel the greatest of myths that riders who are stronger/more experienced than you will not want to ride with you because you are a ‘rookie’. This is just not true. Of course there are people who may act like this from time to time but that should be attributed to them being a human, rather than a cyclist! As long as you make intelligent and informed decisions you should have no issues with riding in a new group of people and I hope if you are just starting your cycling life or are concerned about riding in a group the following tips and tricks will help. These are not ‘rules’ as such, just helpful hints. There are the well-known Velominati: V Rules but not all of these are truly practical and should be taken in the manner that they were created!

• Find the right ride – Depending on your area there will be a plethora of ways to find group rides of varying length and difficulty for you to join. If you’ve been out on your own you may have spotted a cafe or two or a bike shop that has groups of cyclists chilling out and enjoying a coffee. Actually talking to people (face to face not through Twitter or Facebook!) can give you some of the best answers as to where you should meet and when the rides go out. Local club websites almost always display when and where they ride out from and importantly will often say whether they are ‘no drop’ rides meaning they ride as slow as the slowest rider. These are great rides to start out on.

• Be honest – I fell seriously foul of not being honest with myself and fellow riders years ago when I first starting going out with a local club. If you have never done more than 40 miles in one ride don’t try and kid yourself that a steady 100 mile round trip with one cafe stop is possible right now. Chat to your fellow riders and tell them where you are in your development as a rider, you may be surprised to find others are in a similar position or some may be turning home early due to other commitments. Or they may simply be able to point you in the right direction at a suitable point so you can make a round trip of a sensible distance. Everyone will feel awkward if you plow on well passed your comfort zone and have to be pushed home! (All that being said, don’t ever be afraid to challenge yourself and push the limits in order to improve.)

• All the gear no idea – It’s no secret that cycling can be an expensive past time and you can ‘buy’ speed to a certain degree, but thankfully it still takes a lot of hard work and dedication to be a strong cyclist. Don’t be fooled by some people who appear to look like a Pro cyclist but seem to pedal squares and never take their turn on the front. They probably just have too much money and not enough dedication and are not the sort of riders you want to model yourself on.

• Older & wiser – On the other end of the scale from those above are the riders who have been doing this since before bread came sliced. The French word ‘souplesse’ is a descriptive word to describe the beautiful ease of a perfect pedal stroke honed over time. When you see it you know it and these are the riders you want to emulate. Don’t be afraid to copy everything they do (without getting weird!) as their experience keeps them safe as well as improves their riding. Drink when they drink. Eat when they eat. Follow their lines through the bends. Pace yourself against them. You don’t have Jacques Anquetil to learn from, but you do have Mike, who is a semi-retired accountant and a bloomin’ classy bike rider.

• Baggage – I generally take too much food with me on a ride as you never know when you or someone else is going to have an emergency. But don’t ever expect someone to give you food on a ride just because you haven’t got any. That’s a brilliant way to be ostracised. Take food in whatever form you prefer and take at least one bottle of liquid, again in something you are going to be able to drink. Stick $10/£10 in your pocket too as you never know when you might need it for all manner of things. Other than that, a spare inner tube and a pump (hand or CO2) are ESSENTIAL. Some groups won’t let you ride without a spare tube and pump. Above all you must ensure you are self-sufficient

• Pride in your ride – Take a few moments before you leave the house to check you have no major creaks and bangs (on your bike and yourself!) It’s only polite and respectful that your fellow riders shouldn’t have to hear your clunks and groans all the way around. If you present a slick, professional persona people are more likely to treat you in that way… just don’t push it too far as described above!

• Be active – The best way for you to improve and get stronger is to ride with people who are stronger than you are. Make sure you take your turn at the front and work as an active member of the group. Everyone has a shared interest in how the group interacts and works together and together you can make it a safer, more enjoyable ride.

With a little bit of thought and preparation you can make the big step of heading out with a large group of cyclists for the first time much, much easier. I hope that the tips here will inspire you to get out and enjoy the summer to come and please leave any other tips or feedback below.

Yours in sport,

Stevie

Unfortunately due to the ridiculous nature in which our planet has decided to rotate through space and influence time and seasons, I missed last week’s #bikeschool session (9pm EST if you hadn’t got the hang of it yet). This was unfortunate for 2 reasons; the obvious being I didn’t get to have my hour or so of cycling banter while getting progressively more drunk but the more subtle one was that I missed The Boss, @LovingTheBike, throwing down the questions. And there were some real stonkers!

Darryl and I rarely get to go face to face (screen to screen really) during class anymore as #bikeschool has snowballed and the Professor role gets shared around with a guest Professor every so often. Thankfully there is lots of background stuff that goes on to bring you #bikeschool and LovingTheBike.com which allows us and the other two noggin-box geniuses, @egggman and @bikerly to get together online over the week. And so when I came to do my homework and read the questions and answers from the last class session (as every good student should do!) I was very happy to see the old dawg hasn’t lost his spark! We often get asked how we come up with so many questions which rarely duplicate previous class questions… and in all honesty I don’t really know. But what I will say is that when it comes to cycle bloggery and #bikeschool, Darryl is still the king.

So my favourite question from last week that got me pinging all over the web was…:

…and there were some great answers. So below is a run down of the causes, websites and groups that the class suggested were worthy advocates of our beautiful sport. Please check them out and give them all the support you can. They uphold, stimulate and progress the sport and past-time of cycling and we should all be thankful for their existence.

Bike Pittsburgh – @bikepgh

Mission Statement

“Bike Pittsburgh is a member-based organization that works to protect cyclist’s rights and promote the vision of making Pittsburgh a safer and more enjoyable place to live and to ride.

The work we do is at the heart of urban environmentalism – raising awareness about oil dependency, pollution, congestion, safe streets, good urban design, and public health. We are partnering with local stakeholders to improve our streets, bridges, and trails in order to make riding to work, shopping, and exercising by bicycle safe and fun for everyone in Pittsburgh.”

A great local group that are not just promoting cycling, but a way of life. An influential group that is powered by the people who run and support it.

People For Bikes – @peopleforbikes

Mission Statement

“Whether you’re a bike commuter, a roadie, a mountain biker or just a casual rider, by uniting your voice with a million others, we can build a national movement to improve bicycling in our country. We can make a statement through our sheer numbers by raising public awareness and demonstrating our passion to our leaders in Congress and in cities and states throughout the country.

Every six years, the federal government allocates billions of dollars to expand and improve our country’s transportation infrastructure. Peopleforbikes.org will use our powerful, united voice to urge U.S Senators and Congressmen to make new, cost-effective investments in bicycling facilities and programs that will benefit us now and well into the future.”

A cause that LovingTheBike.com has supported for a long time and we whole heartedly agree with their assertion that ‘bikes make life better’. You can sign their pledge for a better world for cyclists here.

Bike Federation of Wisconsin – @BikeFed

Mission Statement

“The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin is a statewide, nonprofit organization.  We work with people from all around the state to make bicycling convenient, safe, accessible and fun.

The Bike Fed has a vision of Wisconsin as one of the world’s best places to ride a bike where millions of residents and visitors of all backgrounds who choose bicycling as an integral and convenient part of their daily life. Our mission is to inspire, motivate and unite a strong community of civic, business and political leaders, motorists and bicyclists to move bicycling forward.”

Another local project, this time a state-wide group who are prevalent in many aspects of cycling from winter safety and beginner bike camps to hard-hitting commuter issues.

  IMBA – @imbaaustralia

Mission Statement

“IMBA Australia creates, enhances and protects great trail experiences for Australian mountain bike riders. IMBA Australia’s objectives are to advocate for access, to gain recognition as the authority on all aspects of MTB trail management and to become the pre-eminent source of professional advice.

IMBA Australia aims to:

• Bring MTB advocates under one group;

• Attract membership from around Australia;

• Educate about MTB trail management, trail design and construction techniques, advocacy techniques;

• Attract professional consultancy projects; and

• Form partnerships to progress objectives.”

The International Mountain Bicycling Association of Australia is an absolute gold mine. Serving as a national hub for other mountain bike advocacy sits across Australia with a mantra of SPEAK, BUILD, RESPECT & RIDE.

Consider Biking – @consider_biking

Mission Statement

“World class communities have world-class accommodations for moving people by means other than a car. The central Ohio community needs the efforts of an organization like Consider Biking at this time. Given our citizen’s concern for health and sustainability, and the rising cost of operating a motor vehicle, the environment for our growth and success is ripe. In fact, there are over 130 bicycle advocacy organizations across the U.S. that Consider Biking can use as models. The momentum we’ve generated as a trusted resource for objective information, has drawn many to our cause of making Central Ohio more friendly for bicyclists. Our overarching goal is to increase the number of cyclists on the road. We strive to increase the mode share for bicycles by increasing the number of trips made by bicycle to workplace, shopping, errands, and for recreation. We are especially keen to increase the number of children that ride a bicycle to school and other activities. Of course we seek to increase the safety of bicyclists via developing comprehensive bicycling networks and complimentary education and encouragement programs. We seek to implement unified policies across all jurisdictions in the region and increase partnerships and stakeholders to develop and leverage the resources necessary to effectively carry out our mission. Lastly, we seek to increase the sustainability of the organization via sound management practices and development of volunteer leadership, membership, and funding sources.”

They say and do it all! From enhancing physical and mental health, protecting the environment and encouraging energy efficiency, to supporting economic development,creating safer communities and contributing to a culture of inclusiveness, empowerment and fun.

Los Angeles County Bicycling Coalition – @lacbc

Mission Statement

Our mission is to build a better, bike-able Los Angeles by improving the bicycle environment and quality of life in Los Angeles County through the following strategic goals:

Increase bikes as a mode of transportation in Los Angeles County by working with Metro on better bicycle and transit integration, to increase the amount of cities applying for and receiving funding for bicycle infrastructure from the Metro Call for Projects, set regional goals and better policies in the Southern California Association of Governments Regional Transportation Plan, and conduct bicycle and pedestrian counts in collaboration with cities and local advocacy chapters.

Advocate for improved bicycle infrastructure and supporting laws through Complete Street policies, better bicycle master plans, and increased municipal funding, such as Measure R, for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

Serve as an umbrella organization for all bicyclists in LA County by fostering local chapters and regionally coordinated campaigns and planning through the 88 cities of LA County, and by reaching out to and raising the concerns of low-income, marginalized cyclists of color, through programs like City of Lights, Living Streets, and our Transit Hub Report.

Provide better education to both motorists and cyclists through our Give Me 3 bus shelter ad partnership, our Spanish bike resource guides and safety workshops, and our Sharrows pamphlets for drivers and cyclists.

In a large urban area cycle safety is a major consideration every time you pedal away from home. Despite Los Angeles’ reputation as a car-centric region, LACBC has emerged as one of the most innovative and wide-reaching bicycle advocacy non-profit groups in the US. They have played a major role in the growing cycling movement in LA and have a vision to improve the built environment in Los Angeles, so that all cyclists–low-income, commuter, recreational, families, and women–can safely navigate LA County streets.

BikePure – @BikePure

Mission Statement

“Bike Pure is not for profit organisation registered in Australia. We are also independent organisation for fans, riders and the cycle trade to promote honest, ethical sport and are opposed to doping. We stand together in a united stance to begin a new era for cyclesport. Bike Pure will spearhead constructive, structured reform, to restore the integrity of cycle sport and create a nurturing environment for future champions to succeed.

Bike Pure is committed to redirecting trust to Professional cycle sport.  For decades cycling has had a problem with endemic drug use. The cheats have destroyed the public image of cycling. Although the sport is cleaning up, there were over 60 riders caught cheating in 2009 using artificial, performance enhancing methods. Cycling fans worldwide deserve heroes they can believe in: Clean up or clear out. We desire real rider’s that the fans, sponsors and media can have faith in.”

BIKE PURE BASIC PRINCIPLES:

- Preserve the honesty and honour of the cyclist.

- Respect for fellow competitors and the appreciation of all endeavor

- To protect the mental and physical health of current and future champions.

- Upholding the ethics and essence cycle sport.

- To create a positive environment where an athlete achieve one’s natural, maximum potential.

My personal favourite of all advocacy groups. BikePure are quite literally moving mountains in the world of cycling and I DEMAND you go and buy a wristband to show your support. These guys are bomb sauce!

There are many more great advocacy groups out there, this is by no means an exhaustive list, just the ones submitted by class members. Be sure to let the class know about other groups using the #bikeschool hashtag and support your local groups… they deserve it.

Stevie

It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but rather the one most adaptable to change.

- Charles Darwin (proabably!)

Whether you have just bought your first bike or have been racing for years, there is a podcast out there so full of intelligence, knowledge and heart that it transcends listener experience. The Cycling360 podcast is FOR YOU and if you haven’t heard it yet, I hope after reading this your next step be strapping on your ear goggles.

Before we get into this I just want to clear up any preconceptions you may have with my reasons for writing this and my legitimacy as a reviewer. Some may say that promoting something your boss has helped create may seem pretty sycophantic… but luckily for me Darryl isn’t my boss… he’s a friend. And he hasn’t asked me to write this article, so you can rest assured this is an independent review by a listener and a fan. As for my legitimacy as a reviewer, I’m not quite sure… we’ll find out!

The Review Show

Darryl 'The Boss' Kotyk

The Cycling360 Media team is made up of Darryl ‘The Boss’ Kotyk, ‘Coach’ Rob Grissom and Victor ‘The Bike Guru’ Jimenez and each of these experienced gents are aiming to use their podcast, “to make you a better cyclist”. With such a sweeping proposal it would be easy for the casual listener to write it off as hyperbole, but this podcast really can hold its head above the parapet. I regularly listen to cycling podcasts, I have quite a few favourites but most of these are produced in the UK. I think the main reason for preferring the smaller number of UK produced podcasts is the relevance it has to me as a rider this side of ‘the pond’. As cyclists we go through very similar experiences wherever we are riding and these should easily transcend the medium of podcast but unfortunately I’ve been left feeling unaffected and bored by most American podcasts I’ve listened to.

Victor 'The Bike Guru' Jimenez

Then I listened to the Cycling360 Media podcast. Yes I’ll admit I did initially listen to it because Darryl and Victor were involved and I knew from personal experience that they were two of the most generous and knowledgeable people I’d met on Twitter but it didn’t take long for me to see the appeal in this new podcast. With a mix of quirky ‘coffee shop’ style banter and an informative drop-in clinic, the issues and topics are discussed in a way that is accessible to many different people but never makes you feel like you are being look down upon the all powerful and intelligent hosts… they would be the first 3 to scrap that myth I’m sure! With a range of subjects such as; how to prepare for a ‘century’ ride, how best to travel with your bike and giving tips and experienced insights in ways to overcome fears about being out on the open road there is something for everyone. And that is the productions indisputably greatest feature… the ability to make you feel new again. I love learning and trying to become the best I can… I think it’s a good trait to have but it can be a double edged sword as I often feel like I’ve lost that beautiful spark that I felt when I first got into cycling – that feeling of trying to learn everything I can, as fast as I can, from the people best qualified to give me that information. I have spent the last 4 years immersed in all things cycling, which has made it harder to get that ‘hit’.  That feeling of being a kid and turning your first pedal stroke without training wheels… that’s what I missed… and this has given it back to me. Essentially… I thought I knew it all and each and everyone of these podcasts has taught me something new and enthused me to get out and on my bike. Whether that makes me a better cyclist or not I can’t be sure, but it does make me more of a cyclist, which I really like!

3 is the magic number

The Cycling360 team is an eclectic mix of experiences neatly tied together using the power of Skype! Here’s what the team have to say about themselves:

'Coach' Rob Grissom

Darryl is definitely the least technical guy in the Cycling 360 peleton, but there is no denying his love and passion for the bike.  He adds a nice balance to the mix by bringing his unbridled enthusiasm and fun loving attitude to each of the podcasts, and really enjoys the interaction he has with his co-hosts.

Rob is the tech guy on team Cycling360 and a USA Cycling Coach. Rob brings his lifelong love of cycling and his insights into training to help Cycling 360 listeners with training and fitness concerns. Rob is having a blast working with his co-hosts in getting Cycling 360 up and running.

Victor is our resident professional bicycle fitter and overall cycling and bicycle industry expert. Victor, has been fitting bicycles to people and helping them hone their technique for over twenty five years. Has teaches clinics and workshops for USAT coaches and athletes on bicycle fit, efficiency and technique. He also works closely with coaches and medical professionals to educate them on bicycle fit and how the body interacts with a bicycle. After years as a triathlete, then bike racer; American College of Sports Medicine trainer, and fitness testing specialist he began to apply his knowledge and experience to bicycle fit. Victor studied bike fitting in the mid eighties, and continues to study and consult with some of the most respected bicycle fitters and builders in the industry.

Contact

You’ve heard what I think, now it’s time to make a decision. Do you want to be that kid who sits inside and stares out of the window, watching everyone else ride their bikes around the block or are you going to get out there, strip those training wheels off and scrape some knees!? You’re decision… I suggest you choose Cycling360

You can access the podcast from iTunes the Cycling360 Media website and contact the guys on Twitter at @Cycling36o, on Facebook and you can email them at questions@cycling360media.com. All of the previous podcast editions are available to download and listen to see get over there and enjoy!

Stevie

Lead, follow or get out of the way…