92 Turnaround

[Hammerschlagen]

Captain Bruce:

I'm getting a little tired of participating in the 92 sprint only to
turn around and find the main bunch a 1/4-mile up the road hammering
away. Today they may have been trying to catch the small group in the
breakaway but that is no excuse to abandon the 5 to 10 riders who
engaged heavily in the 92 bunch sprint effort. Those riders absolutely
destroyed themselves to catch back on, some didn't make it back on.

I think good group ride etiquette would be to turn around at least
after the sprinters sit up. Today it appeared that the main bunch
turned around before they even got around the corner. I realize some
sprinters keep hammering on until they "win," but most recognize the
clear sprint lines out there and turn around after the bike path or
the traffic sign just beyond that.

Anyway, it's just a little frustrating to take part in the 92 sprint
and--while you're getting your heart and lungs back inside your chest--
you look back and see the bunch drilling it the other way. Today was
especially irritating when the group clearly turned around way early
and created quite a fast growing gap to bridge by the time we turned
around.

Sure, some will say "we saw the lead group going by and, yada yada."
First off, the lead group got their break going by not slowing--even a
remotely--after the college climb. Regardless, at 92, the main bunch
was turning around well before they saw them heading back.

Also, whatever happened to the traditional regroup after the College
or Godetia climbs? I know YOU do it. But when you're not in the front
over the climb, few do. That's one of the reasons many riders don't do
the climb, the effort to bridge to a large group--if you're even
slightly off the back--is a harsh reminder to skip it next time.

I've heard you mention this stuff at the start of the rides many
times. If these traditions are going to be abandoned, fine. If not,
then maybe a more frequent reminder from the "Captain" would help.

Steve

[thecommissioner]

Hi Steve:

I can appreciate your frustration at having to chase back on. That has
happened to me many times as well, and I don't understand the
motivation behind turning around early.

I missed the whole sprint as I wasn't able to catch back on after
doing the College loop. I chased alone on Canada and turned when I saw
the group coming back. I would have tried for a regroup at both
locations. The problem is I'm not as strong as I used to be and am not
able to stay on the front of the group at the base of the College.

One last bitch since I'm on the subject - there was a group of knuckle
heads who absolutely flew through the stop at the 4 corners in
Woodside on the way back. It was duly noted by stopped traffic with
horns, yelling, etc. Once again, giving us all a bad rep. Some of us
did stop and of course lost contact with the "break" up the road -
nice. Of all the spots to blow a stop, that is by far the worst as our
group is on display.

I will try to bring some of this up at the start next week, for what
its worth.

Bruce

[Kenneth...@mckinsey.com]

I second all of this.  And thanks to Bruce for not shying away from the leadership role on this.

And one more nit since we're on this subject - this one more about safety than optics...
On the left turn from portola (on our way to 84) the front of the pack has been consistently turning in front of oncoming cars.
Sure this happens and it's defensible from times to time - but yesterday was a good example of some bad decisions by a few that could have turned deadly.

From:	thecommissioner <br...@batnet.com>
To:	The Noon Ride <noon...@googlegroups.com>
Date:	07/09/2010 08:01 AM
Subject:	[Noon Ride] Re: 92 Turnaround
Sent by:	noon...@googlegroups.com

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