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When choosing the pace you want to do, please consider:
Pace classifications use average speed, which is the total distance divided by the moving time. This is the average speed reported by most by bicycle computers, although you might have to adjust the options to exclude time while not moving. It is critical to realize that your average speed is significantly less (typically 3/4 or less) than your “cruising” speed on flat terrain.
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Pace |
Minimum Average Speed |
Description |
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18+ mph |
Hard fast riding, few stops, slower riders will be dropped, frequent pace lines. |
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17 mph |
For very fit cyclists, slower riders will be dropped, leader rides at listed pace, occasional pace lines. |
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16 mph |
For fit cyclists, terrain varies, up to 30 miles between rest stops. Leader sweeps no slower than 16 mph. BUT if there is a concurrent identical (same tour #, same start time) C+ ride, or the ride leader has posted “no sweep” in the ride comments, the leader rides a B pace and does not sweep. |
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14.5 mph |
For accomplished cyclists, terrain varies, up to 30 miles between rest stops, leader sweeps no slower than 14.5 mph. If there is a concurrent identical (same tour #, same start time) C ride, the Ride Leader may choose not to sweep and depend on the C ride to look after slower C+ riders. |
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13 mph |
For accomplished cyclists, terrain varies, up to 30 miles between rest stops, leader sweeps no slower than 13 mph. |
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11 mph |
For experienced cyclists who want an easier pace, up to 20 miles between rest stops, leader sweeps no slower than 11 mph. |
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9 mph |
Relaxed riding for experienced cyclists, easier terrain, up to 15 miles between rest stops, leader sweeps no slower than 9 mph (typically no longer than 35 miles and on terrain not more difficult than C+). |
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CA(Casual) |
Casual |
Relaxed riding, no steep hills, frequent stops, group stays together. |
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varies |
Special ride. Click on ‘More’ (after login) to read special comments. |
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Ride leaders on A, B+, B, TA and TB rides are not required to sweep, so riders on such rides should either be confident that they can keep up with the pace of the group or be comfortable riding independently.
Ride Leaders on C+, C, D+, D, TC, TD and TE pace rides are required to sweep. However, riders on those rides must be able to average at least that minimum speed, making only the scheduled rest stops, or they may be dropped.
The terrain rating for a tour is determined by “average climb”. That is the total climb, as determined by ridewithgps.com as per the club’s map of the tour, divided by the length of the tour. Total climb is the total uphill climb ignoring the downhills. Note that the total climb as reported by ridewithgps.com is almost always lower than the climb reported by bike computers doing a route. That difference is “built into” the classifications below.
Two tours with the same terrain classification may have very different terrain profiles. For example one C+ terrain route may be relatively flat with one big climb, while another C+ terrain route may have lots of “rollers” but no big climbs. The best way to determine the type of terrain a route covers is to click the “MAP” link for the ride from the ride schedule and look at the terrain profile at the bottom of the ridewithGPS.com page for that tour.
ALL PATH AND TRAIL RIDES ARE SCHEDULED DURING FULL DAYLIGHT HOURS
PACE: Varies with type, terrain and group.
For HB rides (Path)
Indoor rides will have the Pace set to “I” to indicate an indoor ride.
Thanks to all the contributers to this latest newsletter. Special thanks to Tony for his bike mechanical article and to John for another poem. And it’s always nice to see pictures of out fellow MAFW cyclists.