theres always social cycle groups and seems like you have options in Bristol
Joining a local cycling club will open up a whole new world – new friends, new rides, new places to go. Leisure riding You’ll find new places
betterbybike.info
I've looked at them near where I live but riding 10-20miles to a pub /cafe or super expensive farmshop doesn't really appeal to me.
apart from introducing yourself you can probably get away with being quiet I'd imagine, its probably a small section of the group that do all the talking at any rest stop
Good pointers. Being social is a good part of cycling with a group, but don't feel like you have to. We've all been there when you have 'new guy' along who is pretty quiet. But don't expect some people to not want to chat to you! It's good to be around people with the same interests so generally everyone wants to get to know anyone new - even more so if they've got a nice bike/riding well/cool kit/something different!
@Junglist where abouts in Bristol are you? Which 'side' etc?
@Junglist a good bunch of cyclists will wait for you and not moan
Remember, you can only get faster cycling with faster bunch
Yeah definately, also one good thing with quite a 'mixed' social group you can ride it different ways on how you're feeling (even to how much you wanna talk) - chat in the bunch, doing semi intervals at the back to close gaps/pace others, sit on the front dragging everyone around. I'll generally do a mixture of everything, on how my legs are feeling, what roads we're on, but also how cold it is - I'm generally well wrapped (commuting habits) so generally ride harder while things are colder to stay warm! If it's wet/dirty I'm more likely to be on the front as I've got good guards and others don't... Etc!
Thanks. Yes. No.
Up to 40 miles, no. Between 40 and about 55, one stop. Usually it is then a 100km/62mil ride and I'd probably stop twice. When we get to 90 and 100 miles it's probably 3 stops. Kind of take the miles, divide by 30 and round down. For me, psychologically it's quite important to have a break ever couple of hours.
Quick & concise answers. Like it!
Yeah I get the stopping side of things, certainly if you're riding regularly over 3 or 4 hours it should be a 'thing' as you'll be missing a mealtime. But I also get if you're going out for a 'social' generally in a morning slot with a plan to be home at lunchtime (like mine) then get why riders also skip them... I'd love to have the time to have a 5-6 hour ride with a stop more regularly!
I'm not convinced any of these are really real arguments and not grasping at straws.
I could counter them all but seems like nit-picking or personal opinion.
See I get where you're coming from. I could totally could go back to riding mechanical without an issue, it works well. But riding di2 to me is progress. Just like riding clipless pedals, hookless rims, tubeless tyres, wide carbon rims, disc brakes, hydraulic disc brakes, more than 6 gears, wider tyres, carbon frames, aero kit, STI indexed shifters, helmets, lycra rather than wool, the safety bicycle itself!
The 'bike industry' will always push new technologies they can sell new things for. Most of it is progress. You don't have to keep up, but most of the time you are 'forced' to. We'll shortly be at the point where rim brake wheelsets are harder and harder to get hold of, soon after that electronic shifting will be 'normal' even on midrange bikes so frames compatible with mechanical and the components will begin getting harder and harder to source at the top end. Even now there are frames made 'electronic only'. Sales will always drive inventory and supply. Like 1080p monitors now 24" being the 'preferred' - a 22" costs the same, maybe a fraction less. A 19" costs more!
