Cycling - With Real People!

[Alex L]

Started cycling to commute to Uni every weekday 6 miles each way and joined the cycling club. I've been too scared to joined any of the events so far but there is one on the 3rd of December which is 30 - 40 miles. Given I haven't been cycling too long. Do you think I will be able to manage it? I cycled from Bristol to Portishead and back around Bristol totalling around 30 miles on Sunday and did the Bristol Bath Cycle Path the Sunday before that but they were both pretty flat and Bristol can get quite hilly.

Another point is that I don't have a saddle they doesn't cause me great pain and my pedals are useless. I have ordered a new saddle and pedals 5 days ago but the order hasn't even been processed yet. How long do Wiggle usually take? Also, need to get shoes before then. Any suggestions on what websites have fast delivery that do a budget SPD shoe?

[Si]

if the ride is a 'social' ride then you ought to be fine. group riding like this is generally much easier than solo riding as you can sit in others' slipstreams to save energy, and the fact that you are chatting with people generally takes your mind off feeling tyres (edit, or 'tired' even).

if on the other hand, it is more of a training type of ride then I'd be inclined to either steer clear until you've got somemore miles in your legs, or take a map with you so that you can get home should you be dropped.

best to just have a chat with the organiser - explain where you are at, and ask them what they think.

wiggle are normally pretty quick - that's one of their selling points, might be worth dropping them a line to see if the transaction has gone through OK.

[reohn2]

As someone who's never had the urge to "feel tyres" whilst riding and less so when riding with others,I think Si's advise is sound enough if you keep your hands firmly on the handlebars