Novice Bunch Mentor Roster

[SimonD]

Date - Mentor (Backup)

16-Oct - Erica & Dan
23-Oct - Tor & Matthew L (Jane G)
30-Oct - Ross & Jamie (Matty)
6-Nov - Andrew & Shridevi (Ben)
13-Nov - Joel & Vanessa
20-Nov - Jane J & Linda
27-Nov - Daz & Simon D
4-Dec - Matty & Clare
11-Dec - Lee & Jane G
18-Dec - Ben & Chris D

If any experienced riders are interested in being rostered on, or even just turning up to help out the novver bunch, you are more than welcome.

[lovetoride]

At this stage I am not sure whether I can do the morning of 20 Nov. I probably need a bike for this and I don't have one at present.

Can someone be on 'standby' for me please? I should know by early next week (I really, really hope so!!)

[Startrek]

Where is your bike ?, has your bike run away from home ?, are you not showing it love ?.

[SueP]

I'm on a recovery week and scheduled for slow bunch ride this friday so providing I manage to get myself out of bed in time, happy to help out.

[lovetoride]

Tks Sue. Will let you know next week where things are at.

Lee - headset warranty issue, carbon dust in frame - freaked me out big time coming down from Orroral Tracking Station and Fitz's 2 weeks ago! Waiting to hear back from Italy as to whether the frame will be replaced. Told unsafe to ride it.

So much for riding in the Hartley in 2 weeks considering I have hardly been on the bike recently.

[SueP]

Sorry Jane - that was THIS week. I should have done the 'quote' thing as I was responding to Simons comment.

[Startrek]

Jane i can lend you a bike .

[j_young_80]

The "M2" bunch were standouts last week so many thanks to the riders and mentors. I saw you all as one big tight pack rolling up Mugga - you put the other bunches to shame!

I also heard that you tacked on Red Hill - for the first time for some of you too I imagine - well done!

This week is the TGA loop - so make sure you at least familiarise yourself with the route so that if you do get separated, you can jump back on.

Remember - all roads lead to Mugga so you'll always be able to grab the bunch there!

Lastly - a reminder that the bunch sprint does not start until you are THROUGH the roundabout at Lennox - the sprint is long enough to not need extending!

[Simonsky]

Now that I'm healthy (and warm) again I'm happy to help out mentoring if you need a stand in.

Cheers

SimonN

[mikeyc]

I don't mind helping out, happy to fill in when needed.

[dadcram]

well I managed to slide out on a corner this morning so I may just turn up for coffee. I think I pedaled through the corner. Lucky it was smooth bitumen.
And I can offer Jane my new go fast CrMo weapon!

[bosworth*]

That's what you get for riding mountain bikes.

[RobF]

Simon/Daz - If you want to ride another group I can go with M2 tomorrow.

[SimonD]

Nah, I'm happy to do it tomorrow - might be smashed if SuperCrit is hard tonight anyway! I'm hoping to catch a couple of guys there.

[dadcram]

I'm still smashed. Last night brought back the chest sludge. So just like Ben that's 8-10 weeks now. So novice is fine, still.

[j_young_80]

Daz - remind me to bring that pump for you! flick us a sms tonight!

[Startrek]

I'm still smashed. Last night brought back the chest sludge. So just like Ben that's 8-10 weeks now. So novice is fine, still.

Great and i hugged you last night ,note to self do not hug strange men .:p

[Bean]

Hmmm... did I catch it of you Daz, last time we kissed?

[dadcram]

Great and i hugged you last night ,note to self do not hug strange men .:p
Hey, I resemble that remark!
Ben I think it's more a family sharing thing. Should I sit near you at breakfast again? :eek:

[SimonD]

Do I have to go if it's raining?

[James]

Do I have to go if it's raining?

I've already pulled the plug my friend. I'm sure Rob will enforce my wearing of the Pink Hurt Shirt next week, and deservedly so. But then, I'm faster than him, and I look pretty in pink.

[Frances]

I was just wondering that.

[James]

What, how I look so pretty in pink?

[Frances]

Nah, about the rain. But now that I see your other post, yes - how do you look in pink?

[James]

Pretty.

Der.

[j_young_80]

Do I have to go if it's raining?

Mentor FAIL. neg rep Dwyer.

[SimonD]

It was raining!

[j_young_80]

Are you calling BOM a liar Mr Dwyer?

Double neg rep; defending the indefensible.

[SimonD]

Right, I take it I should have left my alarm on then? Seriously, it was a wet SuperCrit, it was raining when I went to bed and was raining when I randomly woke up in the night and turned off my alarm. Was it an issue?

As for the neg reps, I'll refer you and race director Hoops to the following post: http://vikingscyclingforum.org.au/forum/showthread.php?p=6632#post6632

[j_young_80]

Is your keyboard also wet from the tears currently flowing?

Nah no issue, there was a fairly dejected M2 bunch as they thought they would have THE Simon Dwyer in the bunch but they scored the Razor Rahman/Daz Cram double instead.

I'll take the non-supercrit show bagging though - in my defence I was trapped at work.

[bosworth*]

race director Hoops

Leigh, thanks for Race-Directing last night.


Good work.

[dadcram]

I was told the Novice bunch was no more so you're off the hook. However there was a decision for the M2 bunch to join the M1 and split along the way if necessary.
This proved wrong in hindsight as Joel and I rode with a newbee and Joel gave her some lessons on riding signals etc. The M2's that joined M1 were then left in "the land of lost" and took shortcuts to regroup. We did regroup at one stage but not with the main M1 that decided to take a walk in the park like the Fast Bunch. Therefore we did get good advertising exposure across Canberra this morning. I didn't see a Vikings Cycling sticker on the Rod Sheather sign on Mugga Way though!
If you guys have a stigma about having a Summer Novice group can we change the roster to the Pickle Cruisers Facilitators and be done with it. That way those looking for a cruisey Friday with a bit of social interaction and maybe a sprint or 2 can opt in. I'm happy with it so let the program begin!
Isn't there a name for a group of cyclists doing a winery tour? That way Silent Grange could be the offical sponsor of the Pickle Cruisers. Otherwise I'll run it past Nic.

[gsavage]

I was told the Novice bunch was no more so you're off the hook. However there was a decision for the M2 bunch to join the M1 and split along the way if necessary.
This proved wrong in hindsight as Joel and I rode with a newbee and Joel gave her some lessons on riding signals etc. The M2's that joined M1 were then left in "the land of lost" and took shortcuts to regroup. We did regroup at one stage but not with the main M1 that decided to take a walk in the park like the Fast Bunch. Therefore we did get good advertising exposure across Canberra this morning. I didn't see a Vikings Cycling sticker on the Rod Sheather sign on Mugga Way though!
If you guys have a stigma about having a Summer Novice group can we change the roster to the Pickle Cruisers Facilitators and be done with it. That way those looking for a cruisey Friday with a bit of social interaction and maybe a sprint or 2 can opt in. I'm happy with it so let the program begin!
Isn't there a name for a group of cyclists doing a winery tour? That way Silent Grange could be the offical sponsor of the Pickle Cruisers. Otherwise I'll run it past Nic.

As a member of this mornings failed M2 (novice bunch), there were only 3 of us in the bunch anyway. A couple of us tried (but failed) to tack onto the M1 bunch, I enjoyed the ride even if it was lonely for most of the way. From my observation quite a few people were spat out from the M2 bunch and after taking a few shortcuts I was able to tack back onto them (the tailend charlies) just after the Red Hill turn-off on the way back.

My suggestion is that we still need a M2 bunch, but maybe we start the M2 bunch with the M1 bunch and the M2 mentors can hang around the back and pickup the people who are spat out the back. By Adelaide Ave we should have a reasonable bunch.

It is obvious to me that nobody in the M1 bunch is going to wait for us novices (sorry M2 bunch members). But it would great if there was a bit of support, rather than take no prisoners.

[Hoops]

It is obvious to me that nobody in the M1 bunch is going to wait for us novices (sorry M2 bunch members). But it would great if there was a bit of support, rather than take no prisoners.

I think this is exactly the reason for a dedicated M2 bunch. M1 have made efforts to increase their speed over the past few weeks and stopping defeats the purpose of a faster ride and the training benefits gained from it. The M2 bunch will have the philosophy of looking after riders with a focus on regrouping.

[gsavage]

I think this is exactly the reason for a dedicated M2 bunch. M1 have made efforts to increase their speed over the past few weeks and stopping defeats the purpose of a faster ride and the training benefits gained from it. The M2 bunch will have the philosophy of looking after riders with a focus on regrouping.

Point taken, but unless numbers increase dramatically then M2 is dead and I am sure that all of my fellow novices have not joined M1.

[Hoops]

Point taken, but unless numbers increase dramatically then M2 is dead ...

I wouldn't worry too much about that. As long as there are riders who wish to ride in M2, then V-mobile will provide a couple of riders to keep an eye on those riders. M2 will also be there to pick up the M1 stragglers if they drop back far enough.

This provides a dedicated bunch that gets looked after as opposed to the challenge of minding riders that get left behind from M1. At least this way riders have a choice.

Numbers looked lower across the board due to Thurs night's weather conditions as well.

[milto]

Well put Graham.

There is always going to be issues arise through the evolution of the squads. The contrasting goals of both supporting development in the sport as well as train and improve your own personal performances mean that these things break down sometimes. This morning probably due to the rain and reduced numbers.

I am sure we will all see the continued success of the novice M2 ride with rostered on people to lead it. This issue may come back up as our numbers drop again as the weather gets colder.

We did have a great list and rides with a mailing list to Mens D and E graders and womens C riders. I think that we should get this list back up and running to organise some rides and do some training together.

Any thoughts?

Jamie can we have a DEF public section on the forum?

[gsavage]

Well put Graham.

There is always going to be issues arise through the evolution of the squads. The contrasting goals of both supporting development in the sport as well as train and improve your own personal performances mean that these things break down sometimes. This morning probably due to the rain and reduced numbers.

I am sure we will all see the continued success of the novice M2 ride with rostered on people to lead it. This issue may come back up as our numbers drop again as the weather gets colder.

We did have a great list and rides with a mailing list to Mens D and E graders and womens C riders. I think that we should get this list back up and running to organise some rides and do some training together.

Any thoughts?

Jamie can we have a DEF public section on the forum?

Milto, you're (and Hoops) are right, probably just the weather. But we do have two squads in the making. A higher performance aspiring squad that are pushing to catch up with the fast bunch and a bunch made up of newbies and people like me who are trying to improve but who are developing slower (with perhaps more modest aspirations).

I think it's a good long term strategy to develop a strong feed in squad for V-Mobile (M1) and a good feed in squad for Valhalla (M2). Valhalla could be a breeding ground for E Grade and perhaps D Grade people. If Valhalla keeps strong, next year's novices will have a good strong group of peers to ride with.

[j_young_80]

Jamie can we have a DEF public section on the forum?

If you think it'll get utilised I certainly can - do you want this to be a group people can join or open for all to see? SimonC is keen on running an F grade Supercrit in conjunction with Dan next year so stay tuned.

In terms of the M2 and M1 bunch - they are distinct bunches and should be kept separate. M1 will not wait for dropped riders so if you do decide to go for it, and get dropped you have the choice of cruising until M2 catches you, or intercepting the M1 ride at another point and trying to hang on again. Next week - try stay on for longer etc.

Part of V-Mobile's tasks are to provide mentors for the former Novice, now M2 ride. We'll have guys there to ride with you as long as there's even 1 rider who fronts for it so don't worry about that. Personally I had a blast riding with the former Novice bunch!

I've said it before and i'll say it again - getting dropped after a short time on M1 is going to far less beneficial training wise than riding a solid and consistent ride with M2. You're also going to be able to develop good bunch skills that you just won't pick up if your getting dropped quickly from M1. There's no discounts on coffee or medal presentations at breakfast for those that stuck with a particular bunch!

M2 has had great sized bunches the last few weeks - so I certainly wouldn't stress about it dying off.

These rides have now been running for close to three years (Simon?) now and we've stolen both the concepts and routes in some cases from the Bilbys who have huge influxes of novice riders coming though and progressing up the rides as they gain skills and fitness. Gary R is now running a separate novice ride on a different route from what I understand but at this stage I don't think it's necessary for us. If we really feel that there's a need for a 4th bunch we can trial it, but if it rains and we get low turnouts there's not much we can do about filling up the rides.

[SimonD]

Yeah, we shouldn't over-analyse to much based on the rain and the fact that some un-named mentors did not turn up. We've gotta keep some definite structure of how things work, and that is as Jamie says, F bunch is fast (34-36km/h average), M1 is reasonably fast (~32km/h average), and then M2 is more supportive/social/friendly (prolly a sub-30km/h average). Neither F or M1 will wait, but M2 will. M1 and M2 are in a bit of an evolutionary phase at the moment, but M1 is certainly becoming a decent ride, so we should stick with it to see if things settle into a decent pattern.

Having an actual novice bunch through the summer is possible, but you have to work hard to keep recruiting as riders keep moving up and it quickly diminishes in size.

This is summer number four, I think. We started I think with 5: Ben, Grant, Lynds, myself and one other from that original novice program. So it was pretty cool when we grew big enough to get kicked out of the S&R carpark!

[Bean]

This is summer number four, I think. We started I think with 5: Ben, Grant, Lynds, myself and one other from that original novice program. So it was pretty cool when we grew big enough to get kicked out of the S&R carpark!

Ah, those were the days! I think we used to average around 25 kph on those rides. We've come a long way V-Mobile!

[SimonD]

Ah, those were the days! I think we used to average around 25 kph on those rides. We've come a long way V-Mobile!

We make 'em so they can take 'em.

[dadcram]

So boys and girls with the Bright departure almost upon those going what's the plan for tomorrow. I am intending on supporting the "Pickle Cruisers"/"Silent Grange Sippers" on some unknown course.

[theFightinPussy]

I should be there

[James]

I'm not going to make it tomorrow- work.

The pink jersey of shame is racking up wins.

[SSSimon]

Is the Purple Pickle still closed? Where's breakie going to be this week?

[Simonsky]

It'll be open tomorrow, apparently

[SimonD]

They are opening for us and the other cycling groups tomorrow. Or so they promised before Christmas.