Last Wednesday evening I joined an all-abilities group ride with the Singletrack Sisters group. We met in Fruita, at 18 Road for some much needed after-work riding.
About Singletrack Sisters: According to their Facebook page, Singletrack & Skinny Tire Sisters of Western Colorado is “a cycling group for women who love to mountain and road bike in Western Colorado.” They want to get all experience levels – from novice to expert – involved in both road and mountain biking on the Western Slope.
Cruising on Prime Cut (photo: Nola Svoboda)
Before the Ride: I have no problem admitting that I am maybe not the best type of person to do a “group” ride with. Don’t get me wrong, I like riding with friends and co-workers but for me the decisions like, “What time? Where are we going? What do you feel like riding?” seem to take forever. Recently I’ve tried to take a much more laid back approach with co-worker group rides. I am patient. I happily wait on people and really enjoy all the trails out here so much that whatever trail gets picked is one I’ll gladly ride. And you know what? This is a much better way to ride with a group. Just chill and enjoy it.
So I went into my first real, not-co-workers-but-people-who-have-formed-an-actual-mountain-bike-group group ride with no qualms at all about time, place, or trails. That could be because the group’s Facebook page said, “This Wednesday we’re riding at 18 Road. Please be there by 5:45, wheels up at 6!” That takes all the decision-making and guesswork out of it. Easy!
Heading towards a rocky patch on Prime Cut (photo: Nola Svoboda)
During the Ride: There were 8 of us who braved the 30 mph wind gusts in the deserts of Fruita for this ride. Two women were beginners, some were much more advanced than me, and I guess the rest of us fell in the middle. Almost immediately we naturally formed two groups: the lead pack of super fast ladies, and the more moderately-paced pack I was in. I assume this is what happens most of the time and it worked out well as we all met up at frequent rest spots.
Because the group was small we all agreed to ride the same set of trails – there wasn’t a “beginners” group and an “advanced” group. At 18 Road the trails we rode are suitable for most everyone from moderate beginners on up. You might have to walk parts, but overall you can have a good time no matter what level you are. Your lungs will take more of a beating than anything.
I found myself in the middle of the pack for the most part, pushing myself harder than normal to keep up. That’s good though – sometimes you need to push yourself. You don’t get better by standing still, that’s for sure.
I was really impressed with the stamina of this group! They were all fit and fast and friendly. It’s amazing how quickly we all adapted to one another. “Everyone ok back there?” “Did everyone make it?” “Nice job!” were common phrases to hear during the ride.
Toward the end I split off from the group because I was running short on time. I picked up a pizza to go from The Hot Tomato and headed home. The others finished their ride and then headed for après bike pizza and beer. What better way to end a group ride?
My friend Nola conquers a tough section on Prime Cut (photo: Nola Svoboda)
My thoughts post-ride:
- I can see the benefits of group rides. Group rides either force you to push yourself harder or require you to slow down and take it easy. Both of these options can be a nice change from your normal routine.
- Group rides make it easier to try new trails or technical spots because you know you’ve got plenty of people around to cart you out if you get too bloody.
- There is always someone to take pictures! Last night we had one person using a GoPro to capture video footage and another taking photos.
- There is always the chance you might find yourself in over your head with a group ride. If you are brand new to riding and this is your first trail ride ever, you might want to email the person in charge of the group to find out more information. Is there a specific night that beginners ride?
- Groups offer support. When you ride alone, you can say to yourself, “Yeah! Way to clean that!” But when other people say it? It’s way better.
- Riding with a new group is like skiing with a new group – everyone has their own style and you learn more from watching them. You become more adventurous and ultimately become a better rider by riding with more people and different people.
Nola’s thoughts post-ride:
Ok, what I like about riding with the Sisters…
- I like to meet more women in the valley that ride.
- I like to watch each person’s individual riding style. I have found that I can learn many things by watching others ride.
- I like how from time to time there are mini practice sessions on various obstacles that most women struggle on. The group members give pointers and tips to help you conquer!
- I like how the flow of the group naturally splits up. The faster ladies lead and the slower ladies feel comfortable further back.
- I like that no matter where you ride in the group, faster or slower, the ride will get your butt into shape!
- I like how social it is. At first it’s quiet, but as the women warm up, things get a whole lot more chatty.
- I like how by the end of a single ride, you feel like you’ve made new connections and friends.
Below are a few more photos from our night. As you can tell, even taking photos was a group effort!
Me trying to outrun the 30 mph winds at the bottom of Joe's Ridge (photo: Jennifer Sliney)
Nola lovin' the jump at the bottom of Joe's Ridge (photo: Jennifer Sliney)
Nola and me heading up Prime Cut (photo: Nola Svoboda)
Looking for a group ride near you? Contact your local MTB club or bike shop to find times and locations!
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Group rides are fun, for exactly the reasons you listed. The Weds. night ride with one of our LBS is the highlight of my work week!
I have tried to get some group rides together here but everytime it seems only a few show up and the ones that do show are pros. They usually blitz off and leave the rest of the others and we never see them again.
Yeah, group rides are great, especially the no-drop rides. Faster Mustache organizes a weekly ride here in the ATL Tuesday nights at 8:30p, meet at Flying Biscuit Candler Park.
@topjimmy: Our group just naturally broke into 2 groups almost as soon as we started. The faster ladies lead and the rest of us went at our own pace. We did all catch up with each other at natural rest stops along the way though.
Just did a 3 hr group ride this morning, and invariably a couple of nutty single speeders showed up–trying to keep pace with them on the climbs makes me climb a whole lot faster than I normally do by myself. Riding with others definitely helps me increase my climbing speed.
I ride with two groups, one is a free-for-all and the other is a no-drop with 2, sometimes 3 groups, each with a leader and a sweeper. I prefer the latter.
@maddslacker: I love that idea of the leader and the sweeper! That’s a great way to make sure everyone feels included and has a good time.
I usually ride alone or with a couple of riders of similar abilities, however once a year I go to the VA MTB Festival where we have group rides. Rides range from 2 hrs to all dayer’s, and group size from 5 to 35. It’s great to ride /talk with one person for a few minutes, and then another for a few more. We always have a leader, and a sweep, and it’s no drop for at least half the ride, but nobody ever gets behind the sweeper. Rode sweep once and found it was a lot more fun than I would have thought. The real key to enjoying a large group ride is to have nowhere more important to be than where you are at the moment, and nowhere you need to be after the ride.
@RoadWarrior: Ditto your last sentence!
I don’t get much chance to group ride. Solo unless I find someone at the trail head. It’d be nice to give it a try. I’ll have to try and make that Va Festival.
A few weeks ago I went for my first group ride with one LBS and it looks like this post fully describes my feelings. New trail, new people, new pace… And I was short on time also, so had to skip group lunch also. But I had a Great time and will do it again.
@Mtbikerchick, thanks for good reading. Keep on posting.
Very nice post.
Although I ride solo 98% of the time I do agree with all the positive points to the group rides such as this. Like you them; where? when? how? questions and everyone trying to accomidate everything is just too much – just plan a ride and they will come.
Sounds like a great group! There’s something about riding with other women, too. Though there are definitely women that could ride circles around guys, I usually find riding with women there’s less pressure and competition. Glad you found a great group of gals – wish I lived in Colorado to ride with y’all (can you tell I’ve been in the south too long)!
@stumpyfsr and @AK_Dan – thanks for the positive feedback
@mudhunny: I grew up in Georgia so never fear, the “y’all” sounds perfectly normal to me!
One thing I’ve noticed when our club hits a trail at the same time as a women’s club: the guys tend to stop and do lots of ‘do-overs’ on particular features. The women jump off, hoof it past the obstacle, and keep on riding.
On that particular trail there weren’t a lot of spots to do “do overs” but Nola has said that when they’re on more technical trails they will often stop and work on an obstacle for a bit before moving on. I think it just depends on the group and the riders.