There are many ways to describe a group ride. Here are the most common types you will see available on the Condors Facebook page . All the speeds given below are estimated averages, and can vary greatly due to weather, hills, road conditions, equipment and most importantly riders. As such, they are only intended as a guide and won’t ever provide a perfect picture. The most important thing is to talk with the ride leader at the start of the ride to make sure there is a common understanding about speed, style and what to do if someone is riding too fast at the front or can’t keep up at the back. So, in increasing order of speed :
Social : 16 – 26 km/h (10 – 16 mph)
If you’re new to group riding, this is where you should start. Social rides will be advertised at a variety of speeds and distances, but it will always be friendly, chatty and non-competitive. No one gets left behind on a social ride, and no one minds slowing up if someone is struggling. Social rides will often include a café/pub stop during and/or after the ride.
Medium : 24 – 32 km/h (15 – 20mph)
A medium ride is usually made up of experienced riders who want to ride a little faster and start sweating. At the slow end you might hear it called a ‘social plus’, with a faster medium often referred to as a ‘steady lick’. Riders work at a friendly pace; never to make someone else uncomfortable.
Development : 28 – 34 km/h (18 – 22 mph)
The Dev ride is a training ride focussed on developing skills such as riding through-and-off and maintaining speed by keeping it smooth. It will be a good workout and is designed to help riders gain strength and confidence to move up to the faster rides or to give racing a try. Dev rides are all about communication and helping each other. If you’re just starting out, look at what the experienced riders are doing, and copy them.
Fast : 32 – 38 km/h (20 – 24 mph)
This is a serious training ride for the racers, usually riding through-and-off for extended periods and trying to keep the pace as high as possible while keeping the group together. These rides get a little race-like for their final few km, but regroup for debriefing and trash-talking before riders disperse. If you don’t know exactly what to expect, do some dev rides first.
Screamer 35 – 40+ km/h (22 – 25+ mph)
Basically a race. Start at the pace of the fastest rider and then build from there. If your legs and lungs aren’t screaming at you after half an hour, attack!!
Ride leaders, you don’t have to use these descriptors, just as long as you are aware of what people are expecting when you do. You’re welcome to invent your own if you’re feeling creative or don’t think your ride clearly fits with one of the standard 5 types. Thank you for leading.