Erika Tarte said:

My wife & I decided to go hiking around Rockland Lake this morning, on the hunt for fall foliage. Saturday's ride with Vlad, Ian (and his pretty new bike), Dale, and Aaron was just so gorgeous, I couldn't miss the opportunity to get back out there with my camera. After coffee in Piermont (so self conscious not being in spandex!) we drove back along 9W, cautiously avoiding all the wobbly cyclists riding 3 abreast. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a beautiful paceline in the distance. "Look at that!" I told my wife, "now that's a paceline!" And as we got closer, I realized it was a big group of Kissenas. Looking good guys!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W09ghiWskUk

Erika Tarte said:

My wife & I decided to go hiking around Rockland Lake this morning, on the hunt for fall foliage.

Meredith Martin said:

That was SO MUCH FUN. Vlad, thank you for the clutch Gu so I didn't faint, and Ros, thank you for telling me that I DO need to eat breakfast, and Ryan and Jonathan (Kiwi?) and Daniella and everyone, thanks for all of your advice and encouragement. So so happy that I joined this club. What a beautiful day. 

mugwump said:

Meredith Martin said:

That was SO MUCH FUN. Vlad, thank you for the clutch Gu so I didn't faint, and Ros, thank you for telling me that I DO need to eat breakfast, and Ryan and Jonathan (Kiwi?) and Daniella and everyone, thanks for all of your advice and encouragement. So so happy that I joined this club. What a beautiful day. 

A caffeinated gel can be a lifesaver.  If you're unsure of your ability to handle the distance or intensity of a ride, or if you know you could be pushing your limit, have one in your pocket.  

We've all be there.  Many of us have been able to return the favor.  Pro tip: if the people you're riding with can tell you're bonking, you're pretty deep in the hole.

Great to meet many of the new members Sunday. 

Guy in the mini that cut Ryan and a few others very close (after laying on the horn) must have thought that he would just drive away like it ain't no thang — too bad for traffic lights loser! I think he was pretty freaked out at the sight of 20 Kissena's coming up on him, not a peep out of him the whole time I was reprimanding him about his taste in music.

I was impressed at the level of skill all around. Ryan and I were talking about all the stuff there is to know, so I thought I'd assemble a cheat sheet for group riding etiquette (definitely not definitive — best to read Jules's excellent linkage above if you want the detail):

GROUP RIDE BASICS

- 85+ cadence.

- Pull through without surging. 

- If two of you are peeling off the front of a double pace line, try to do so when there's a gap in traffic.

- Rotating pace line: When you're at the front and someone is pulling past you, say "yes" to let them know they can safely slot in front of you (without chopping your wheel). Say "last" when you're in last position to the person coming back from the front of the pace line. Elbow flick tells someone when to come through AND which side to come through.

- Hold your line in corners.

- If you want to stand up (out of the saddle), do so smoothly and learn to not throw your bike back (that means no freewheeling, esp. on a hill). This is harder than it sounds.

- give the person ahead of you on a climb a little more room to stand up.

- respect the yellow line and switch to single file when impeding traffic.

- When at the front you're responsible for pointing out significant road problems to the group — if you see a dangerous hole, say "hole" (middle, left, right). Cars coming from front: "car up". Car wanting to pass: "car back".

- brake less, especially in a pace line. Learn the art of feathering your brakes.

- follow the wheel in front and do not overlap.

- if it's a no drop ride, we always reassemble at top of major climbs. If it's a drop ride, know the route.

- You're responsible for the person behind you. If someone punctures or is dropped, get to the front and inform the front rider — by default the group always waits/assists. 

- take your cycling shorts off immediately after ride.

- hydrate and fuel regularly during your effort.

- remember you're repping the club whenever you're wearing the kit.

Cheers!

Gwynna Smith said:

On the elbow flick - I learned that you flick opposite of where you are going to pull off. Or, I guess, on the side you want the line to pull through. So if I'm about to pull off to the left, I'll flick my right elbow. Is that right?