See you in the Spring 2012.
The risk of injury in connection with these rides can be significant, and while particular skills, equipment, and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious injury does exist.
Each rider knowingly and freely assumes all such risks.
TEAM EMC2 emphasizes safety on our training rides. Our team does not take unnecessary risks with traffic or other riders. Pack or peloton riding experience is important. If you are not experienced at riding with a pack at high speeds, ask questions and learn from other more experienced riders.
Refer to some safety tips below.
MapMyRide Link here
Roll from the Lombard Fifth Third Bank branch at 211 W. St Charles Road in Lombard at 5am, just west of Main Street. Distance to/from Elmhurst approximately 35 miles.
Tuesday's pace will be challenging and include sprint zones, intervals, and attacking.
Thursday's are No Drop Rides. Average mph reduced significantly.
Saturdays: 6 am - Lombard Short PDF
MapMyRide Link here
Roll from the Lombard Fifth Third Bank branch at 211 W. St Charles Road in Lombard at 6am just west of Main Street. Distance to/from Elmhurst approximately 35 miles.
Saturday's pace will be challenging and include sprint zones, intervals, and attacking. A second group of riders will likely go at a steady, high tempo as an alternative. Saturday's ride might also include Summit Hill repeats after the primary ride.
Sundays: 6 am - Lombard Long PDF
MapMyRide Link here
Roll from the Lombard Fifth Third Bank branch at 211 W. St Charles Road in Lombard at 5am, just west of Main Street. Distance to/from Elmhurst approximately 50 miles.
Sunday's pace will be steady, challenging and may include accelerations, especially on hills. In general, it is a steady, challenging pace and replicates a 40 mile road race.
Safety Reminders
BE PREDICTABLE Ride fluidly and communicate; don't stop suddenly, jump sideways, or make unannounced turns.
LEADERS HAVE RESPONSIBILITY Riders at the front are pulling many riders behind. Be thoughtful as you approach traffic signals and signs, navigate turns and hazards, and manage your rolling speed. When coming to the front of an organized paceline, don't jump or accelerate too quickly. Gaps and rapid changes in speed increase risk to those trying to follow wheels in the back. Roll up to your speed fluidly.
MAINTAIN A SAFE DISTANCE Do not overlap wheels and do not overbrake unexpectedly in a paceline. Always think ahead of an escape route in the event of a crash or incident. Factor in your speed, weather, and your experience level when riding in a group. We are not riding closed roads, so it is not wise to ride too tightly.
USE SIGNALS Communication is critical. When riding in a peloton, don't be shy about shouting your intentions - “Left turn”, “Right turn”, “Slowing”, “Stopping”.
OBEY TRAFFIC SIGNALS Don't use traffic lights as an opportunity to attack or catch up. Upon exiting the intersection, roll up smoothly instead of attack-mode. Intersections are high-risk zones, and there is no need to amplify this risk with aggressive riding.
GIVE WARNINGS If you see a hazards like parked cars, potholes, glass, etc — announce it and point it out as early as practical - ESPECIALLY if you are leading the pace line. If you are lead, DO NOT ride within inches of the hazard, even if you pointed it out. At 25mph, it is harder for riders in the back to react.
PASS ALONG THOSE WARNINGS Riders up front communicate back, and riders in the back communicate forward.
LOOK BEFORE YOU MOVE Do not make sudden, unexpected moves in a pack. If you want to change positions in the pack, look around you to make sure you can move, and communicate what you’re doing. Ask permission, not forgiveness. If you want to attack or jump, do so with room to spare, and look before you leap.
DON'T BE A HERO WITH TRAFFIC It is better to let nuisance or agitated drivers move along than to get into a battle. Tons of metal trumps a carbon-fiber frame and exposed cyclist, regardless of who has the right of way.
DON'T FIXATE Do not stare directly at the rider or wheel in front of you. Learn to be comfortable looking around or through the riders ahead of you. Be aware of your surroundings- always.
AERO BARS AND GROUP RIDES DON'T MIX The best scenario is to always use your road bike for group rides. If you do not have a road bike...stay out of the aero bars while in a group. The only exception...when you are at the front pulling you can get aero if you are comfortable doing this, but never when you are following a wheel. It just isn't safe.
CHANGE POSITIONS CORRECTLY A common beginner mistake is to stop pedaling just before pulling off the front. This creates an accordion effect toward the rear. Keep a steady pressure on the pedals until you have cleared the front. After pulling off, soft pedal and let the group pull through. As the last couple riders are passing through, begin to apply more pressure to smoothly take your position at the rear. The goal is a nice, smooth transition. Remember- steadiness is the goal.
RELAX This one is really important. It will allow you to be smooth and responsive. A relaxed upper body allows you to have much more control over the bike and eliminates over-reacting. Many times, over-reaction to a situation is what causes the crash. If you just stay calm and relaxed, you might be able to avoid the mishap or crash.
CLOSING A GAP OR SLOWING DOWN Don't make erratic movements. Close a gap slowly, don't panic. Stay seated and gradually reel them back in. If you are getting to close to the rider ahead, soft pedal, sit up higher to catch more wind, move over slightly to catch more wind, feather your breaks a bit.
COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE!
