Thank you for raising the issue and seeking views. Here are my thoughts, trying to be as honest and open as possible...
As a group of riders, we have all improved over the last 12 months (a year ago I would have been pleased with a 16+mph ride of this length) and roughly in line with each other (if anything I'm probably one of the slower core medium riders now) and probably continue to improve at roughly the same rate. As far as I can see we all know what to expect and the pace suits us all. Of course, it does make it difficult for a rider to step up from the ride below.
But for the same reason there is at least the perception that it would be difficult to step up to the fast ride, even though we are good for 17+mph, because (certainly in my perception) the fast ride is routinely faster than 17mph, perhaps above 18mph. While I can do 17.3mph it is right on my current limit and I'd be worried joining the fast ride that I would slow everyone else down - and this would feel a bit selfish.
Also, the average speed of 17+ mph doesn't quite tell the full story, as took a break at the top of a couple of climbs we did today to catch our breath and recover a little.
We do have riders of different abilities join us and if I am honest I suspect once or twice it has sometimes felt as I describe above - i.e., the core group wanting to keep up the pace. (Once I was dropped on the way home - having not ridden for a few weeks - but I didn't mind knowing that everyone is trying to stretch themselves.)
Due to work commitments I find if difficult getting out in the week, meaning that the Sunday ride is generally the only ride I do each week. But that is why I so enjoy having the club and coming out, because it provides the incentive for me to get out of bed and get a good long ride in - and stretching myself to 17+mph gives me a lot of satisfaction.
I know how tricky this is and as @Woodwheels70 (Guy) says I don't envy the committee in working out how to approach this. I recognise that the current set up makes it difficult for people to step up to the next ride - but on the other hand it has felt rewarding us all improving together as a group. That said, if the club comes up with some ideas to try something different, I'd be happy to go along with it.
Maybe one simple thing is just to re-introduce/re-emphasise the existing step up rides, and maybe we should all be more open to trying them out.
These are just my opinions and I'd be very happy to discuss. You will also have @PaulW on the committee who I am sure can give some insight into the medium group.
@JamesT
@MattH,
Thank you for raising the issue and seeking views. Here are my thoughts, trying to be as honest and open as possible...
As a group of riders, we have all improved over the last 12 months (a year ago I would have been pleased with a 16+mph ride of this length) and roughly in line with each other (if anything I'm probably one of the slower core medium riders now) and probably continue to improve at roughly the same rate. As far as I can see we all know what to expect and the pace suits us all. Of course, it does make it difficult for a rider to step up from the ride below.
But for the same reason there is at least the perception that it would be difficult to step up to the fast ride, even though we are good for 17+mph, because (certainly in my perception) the fast ride is routinely faster than 17mph, perhaps above 18mph. While I can do 17.3mph it is right on my current limit and I'd be worried joining the fast ride that I would slow everyone else down - and this would feel a bit selfish.
Also, the average speed of 17+ mph doesn't quite tell the full story, as took a break at the top of a couple of climbs we did today to catch our breath and recover a little.
We do have riders of different abilities join us and if I am honest I suspect once or twice it has sometimes felt as I describe above - i.e., the core group wanting to keep up the pace. (Once I was dropped on the way home - having not ridden for a few weeks - but I didn't mind knowing that everyone is trying to stretch themselves.)
Due to work commitments I find if difficult getting out in the week, meaning that the Sunday ride is generally the only ride I do each week. But that is why I so enjoy having the club and coming out, because it provides the incentive for me to get out of bed and get a good long ride in - and stretching myself to 17+mph gives me a lot of satisfaction.
I know how tricky this is and as @Woodwheels70 (Guy) says I don't envy the committee in working out how to approach this. I recognise that the current set up makes it difficult for people to step up to the next ride - but on the other hand it has felt rewarding us all improving together as a group. That said, if the club comes up with some ideas to try something different, I'd be happy to go along with it.
Maybe one simple thing is just to re-introduce/re-emphasise the existing step up rides, and maybe we should all be more open to trying them out.
These are just my opinions and I'd be very happy to discuss. You will also have @PaulW on the committee who I am sure can give some insight into the medium group.
James