Confused about which CBC rides are the right ones for you? Perhaps the following descriptions will help you decide. Be advised, however, that ride pace can fluctuate—either higher or lower—depending on who shows up to ride on any given day, and that ride speeds tend to creep up as the season progresses.
Fitness: Fitness rides are for cyclists who want to improve their speed and practice high level cycling skills in a disciplined group of like-minded hammerheads. Conversation and socializing is downplayed and mostly occurs before or after the ride itself. These are competitive rides in which each rider strives to squeeze every ounce of strength and endurance out of their legs, lungs and heart. Most fitness rides do not include a rest stop. Being dropped and dropping others is routine—there will always be someone who rides faster or slower than you. Riders follow marked routes and the leader sweeps the route to ensure stragglers make it home safely.
Typical Ride Length and Duration: 25-40 miles; 2 hours
Typical Average MPH: 17-24
Relaxed Fitness: Relaxed fitness rides move along at a good clip, using pacelines to ramp up the speed of the group, but the tone of the ride is mellower, friendlier with more rolling conversations and one or two regrouping stops to allow cyclists dropped on hills or during extended high speed paceline riding to catch up with the group. These rides are a good place to hone riding skills and learn from other riders. Relaxed fitness rides often include a stop for coffee, snacks and restrooms. Routes may be marked, partially marked or by verbal instructions. These rides offer a good workout in an amiable atmosphere.
Typical Ride Length and Duration: 25-35 miles; 2 hours.
Typical Average MPH: 16-18
Recreational: These rides are best described by the word ‘moderate’ in speed, effort expended and routes. Riders can expect a workout and gains in fitness, however, the ‘no pain, no gain’ philosophy is not utilized in this ride category. Paceline riding may or may not be utilized. A ‘No Drop’ policy is the norm on recreational rides, and no rider is left to ride alone. Several regroup and snack stops are always included on a recreational ride. Routes are given through verbal instruction.
Typical Ride Length and Duration: 20-35 miles; 2 hours.
Typical Average MPH: 14-16 MPH
Social: Social rides often center on an event or location and may include extended 20-45 minute stops for lunch, picnics, visits to local festivals or other activities. The focus is on relaxed riding and scenic routes beginning from various locations. Relaxed pacelines may be utilized. Riders usually clump up in pace compatible groupings, but no one is dropped. Regroups are common. Route maps and narrative are provided to all riders.
Typical Ride Length and Duration: 25-65 miles, 4-6 hours.
Typical Average MPH: 13-16 MPH
Instructional: Instructional rides generally include an element of off the bike instruction followed by skills development on the bike. This category includes introductory rides for cyclists new to the sport, as well as skills clinics in paceline riding, cornering, ascending and descending and other technical cycling skills for both road and mountain bikers. Generally, cyclists will ride together in one group to gain the most from the instruction. There may be one instructor or a team of instructors who coach riders on the bikes.
Typical Ride Length and Duration: Introductory Rides—8-15 miles; 60-90 minutes
Skills Clinics—Varies depending on topic
Typical Average MPH: Introductory Rides—8-12 MPH
Skills Clinics—Varies depending on topic
