Saturday ride groups will be defined by
three main criteria: Distance, Speed, and Intensity
Definitions are as follows:
Distance:
If multiple routes are posted, the most
challenging route will always have the A designation, second most
challenging is B and so forth. If only one route is posted, there will
be no designation.
Speed:
Speed designation is a guideline as to what
the group will be doing on flat terrain. If a rider
can maintain that pace on their own for an extended period of time, they should
be able to do so in a group. Typical speeds are 15, 17, 19, and 21.
Intensity:
Intensity of a ride means many things to
many people. For some members, riding at 20+ mph for an extended period
of time is fairly easy while for others it's a challenge. Portland Velo
has the goal to create a wide variety of rides for our membership.
Intensity designation will bucket a rough estimation of effort, "ride
vibe", regroup frequency, and how strictly the advertised speed is followed.
Ramble
-
Touring tempo or social ride. Moderate to low intensity, frequent
regroups, speed designation is usually the top end of what you would find on
this ride.
Tempo/Fitness
-
Emphasis on maintaining or gradually increasing rider strength. Moderate
to high intensity, occasional regroups on the flats and normally after longer
climbs. Group focused ride with advertised speed strictly followed on
flat terrain, attacks and city limit "sprint points" not expected.
Competitive-
Emphasis
on high end aerobic effort with a competitive feel. Moderate to extreme
intensity, occasional regroups as designated by Ride Leader. Group
focused ride with advertised speed used as guideline on flats and followed
during the first portion of ride for warm up. Attacks and city limit
"sprint points" may happen. Experience in pace line riding
required.
Other- Occasionally
Portland Velo has special rides with special themes. Members wishing to
participate should be aware of the goal of the ride before departing. As
always check with your Ride Leader before departure to have any questions
addressed.
Examples:
B-15
Ramble:
This group would be riding the second route available. Riders should
expect a social ride with multiple regroups. Speeds on the flats rarely will
exceed 15mph.
21
Tempo: There
is only one route posted for this ride. Riders should expect a group focused
ride with the pace staying right around 21mph on the flats with a few
regroups. Riders who ride off the front are expected to have maps or know
the route. Riders who drop off the back should expect to be picked up by
one of the following groups if they are unable to maintain the pace.
A-19
Comp:
This group will be riding the more challenging route posted for the day.
Riders should expect a high effort ride with occasional regroups as designated
by the Ride Leader. Pace on flat terrain will be near or just above
19mph, rider separation expected on climbs. Occasional attacks and city
limit sprints expected.
In addition to our classified rides,
Portland Velo rides frequently also have the following "Hors
Catégorie" (beyond category) rides:
Hammer'n'Nails- Emphasis on
high end aerobic effort with race like feel. High to extreme intensity,
occasional regroups after long climbs. Race simulation ride, speed is
often designated by terrain and who decides to show up. Attacks and city
limit "sprint points" happen with regularity.
Riders are expected to know the route or have a map in case of mechanical (or
bio-mechanical) failure. Experience in pace line riding required.
Portland
Velo Race Team- Start
time, intensity, and terrain will all vary depending on the time of year and
upcoming races. A high level of fitness is required for these
rides. Riders on this ride are expected to have racing experience, or the
ability to ride in a controlled rotating pace line.
Why is this being done?
The majority of the feedback we receive
regarding our ride structure is in regards to groups not keeping the specified
pace regardless of what "label" it is given. This mainly
happens in the 21 and 19 groups, but has happened in the 17 groups as
well. Our goal is create groups that at the start, everyone understands
what to expect during the course of the ride.
How will this benefit the ride leaders?
Three main benefits. First and
foremost, it should make each group on the road safe. Before setting out
on the road, everyone in the group understands the intensity of the ride
and should be experienced enough to handle it. Second, it will help
reduce the amount of stress ride leaders have to deal with when out on the
road. Finally it will hopefully simplify things enough so that we can
easily pull in new rider leaders if necessary and make it a fun experience for
them, expanding our pool of folks available.
How will this benefit current and new
riders?
As
stated before, this is the biggest point of feedback we receive from club
members regarding the rides. A clear, concise understanding of the rides
available will allow folks to pick what is right for them and everyone to enjoy
the rides rather than stress about them.