Saturday Rides

Every Saturday the club organizes and leads two bike rides in the morning.  This is a fun training opportunity to spend some hours on the bike and ride with friends.  New in 2012 we’ve added the Coached ride option, a shorter ride than the main ride focused on working together and developing group riding skills.  Check the Calendar for start locations, time and routes for upcoming rides – all training events on the public calendar are open and a great place to meet the club.  Road bikes necessary for Saturday rides.

What to Expect on the Coached Ride

Rides are usually 2 hours and it is a Coached Ride because the club aims at getting experienced riders lead and teach their knowledge to anyone that wants to improve their skills.

Our Coached ride is the best option for riders:

• With less experience riding in a group
• Are building fitness
• Newer to the sport
• Want to enjoy a more social and relaxed ride

With two Saturday rides the only bad option is to not come out and ride.  Show up with your bike, and be ready for a great ride with your old and new friends from PTC!

Fundamentals of group riding

• Ride 6 ~ 12” behind person in front of you
• Do not overlap wheels
• When drafting, don’t stare at the wheel of the person in front of you – look ‘through’ him/her
• No sudden braking!
• Prevent gaps from opening up. If gaps do open up – close them gently (No surging)
• No coasting – always keep pedaling at a constant effort regardless of whether it’s flat/uphill/downhill

Obstacles & turn signals

• Shout ‘bike up’, ‘runner up’, ‘car back’ etc when other vehicle/person might come close to the group
• Point out obstacles on the road (such as major potholes).
• Use turn signals (before the turn – not in it!)
  • Left turn = left arm stretched out to the left (horizontally)
  • Right turn = right arm stretched out to the right (horizontally)
  • Stopping = Left upper arm horizontal, lower arm vertical, hand open
  • Flat tire or mechanical problem forcing only you to stop = arm straight up

What

The return of the Pasadena Tri Club Wednesday Brick.  First brick is March 21, 2012 @ 5:30pm.  Start time moves to 6:00pm April 25th, 2012.  Bring your bike and run gear and be prepared for an hour on the bike, a 30 minute run and some good times and good eats following.  All bricks will start with a friendly social lap of the Rose Bowl, followed by varying routes (check for maps on the Calendar).

Where

Meet in Lot I of the Rose Bowl near the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center and Baseball field.

Special Bricks

Brick & BBQ

From time to time the BBQ will come out and we’ll keep the party going in Lot I until it is dark and no triathlete goes home hungry.  Keep your eyes open for the announcement of the next Brick & BBQ.

Transition Brick

Time to practice transition.  This special brick will happen about 3 times a year.  We will ride a shortened bike and run course, but do multiple laps, giving you practice getting those shoes off and on while kicking up the heart rate.

Safety

General Ride Rules

• Rain cancels official training, check the member message board for alternate options and die-hard riders
• Posted ride time is when the ride starts
• Be self-sufficient – bring tubes, cell phone, bike tools etc.
• Be able to lock your bike in your car or on your rack
• Don’t forget nutrition
• Ride safely – wear a helmet, no earphones, no riding aeros in a group
• No helmet = no riding with PTC = no exceptions