Susan/Rick

I agree that a tired cyclist out on their own in the
exposed and hot conditions is a dangerous situation.
The last few weeks have been particularly tricky as
there has generally been a strong tail wind going out
and a head wind coming back - this gives less
experienced riders the impression that the miles are
rolling out quickly only to find they "bonk" coming
back. It is a tough ride coming back on your own and
shows Rick's tenacity.

At the half way point Pete said that the it would be
tough going on the 100+km ride, due to the wind and
the pace - many took the option of doing the 60km
ride. We are not saying this is an excuse to drop
riders in the middle of no-where but in a pack of 20+
riders it is hard to balance the requirements of those
wishing to do a social ride, or keep fit, or try a few
triathlons, or race competitively at national (UAE)
level.

At the moment the format is for all levels to start at
6am and split up part way through. Perhaps for the
long group there needs to be a 2nd split into a slower
group doing the full distance, and a competitive group
who do what they want. Alternatively the club can
return to two separate rides - a fast and a slow one -
as it was before the summer?

What are riders' views on the options????

Paul




--- susan fromm <frommsmf@...> wrote:

> Dear Rick
> Well done on your brave effort going it alone for
> the last 40km of the ride.
> I would like to bring to the attention of everyone
> that for safety reasons
> no rider should be left alone on a long ride.
>
> cheers (in desparation at the back of the group)
> Susan
>
>
>
> >From: rick reggio <rreggio37@...>
> >Reply-To: uae_rouleurs@yahoogroups.com
> >To: uae_rouleurs@yahoogroups.com
> >Subject: Re: [uae_rouleurs] Dubai Training
> >Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 01:40:44 -0700 (PDT)
> >
> >Yesterday's (Friday) 100 km+ ride with the wind as
> it were, was indeed a
> >challenge. As an "intermediate" cycler (that's
> stretching it maybe) the
> >pace / wind / heart rate proved a bit too much...I
> was left behind to
> >complete the last 40 km solo....a real character
> builder, depleting my
> >potassium reserves and encountering severe cramps
> in the process. But never
> >fear we'll continue to push forward and hope for an
> occassional break in
> >the Dubai winds that always seem to blow in the
> wrong direction.
> >
> >Ride on....Richard




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