It’s 10:00am again
by: Bobby G

November has finally arrived. What’s so special about November you ask? Aside from all the traditional foliage, football, and foods…it’s time for Fall/Winter training.

It’s time to gear up, fuel up, and hit the road with your sights on the first race of the 2009 season. But, before you get too ambitious, let’s run through a few factors that will determine if you’re ready for Fall/Winter training.

1.Pace: These rides are all about pacing it out. The first weekend ride will not be like the last. The first weekend will be steady and approximately two hours long. Later winter training rides will be at least four hours long at a faster pace.

2. Patience: The early part of Fall/Winter training is always the trickiest, not everybody is at the same skill level…and that is ok. This might be your first ride of the training season or you might be carrying over from last. The important thing is that we’re riding as one…no matter how many people are on the ride. Clarification…no half wheeling or pushing the pace early on.

3.Time and Location: 10:00am @ Buchanan’s Bicycles in Norman, OK.

4.Direction and Route: We start with a head wind and finish with a tail wind. The route will be determined and shared the morning of.

5.Turning off early: When the route is determined, some will decide to turn off early. Determine this during or before the ride. Please note two things: I. You shouldn’t feel like any less of a competitive cyclist just because you turned off early. We all know you have stuff to do. II. This is not a “no drop ride” the pace will gradually get harder and increase in miles over the weekends. If you get dropped you are on your own. Know the route and how to get home.

6.What to bring to this party: Extra tubes, air for your tubes, plenty of food and money for more food if you run out, and plenty of water.

7. Pee Breaks: This one is easy, if you have to pee..yell “I have to peeeee”. The ride will slow or stop.

8.What to wear: If you are old enough to access this site and read this, you are old enough to know what clothes to wear. Just be sure to keep the areas that are important warm. i.e. hands, toes, knees, ears and ______.

Warnings:

1. Aero bars: Aero bars are not recommended on these rides. Don’t get me wrong, we want you there, but aero bars are more dangerous than good on group rides.

2. City limit signs: If we are riding along and out of nowhere people are going for a dead sprint, don’t be alarmed. On these rides, we sprint for city limit signs. After each sprint we will regroup.

That being said, you are now ready to get out there and ride.

As time goes on we will give you feed back and updated information on this site. Strap it on… Bobby G