A Riders Riding Group
Group Captain: Jayson O'MahoneyGroup Speed: 20-35
Group Distance: 50-100Ride Leaders Kristy Boyer
Kerry Duggan
Mark Kiester
Todd Leedy
Clayton Mathews
Alejandro Sanchez
Ryan Saylor
Lambert Vaes
Shannon Woodruff
A group that strives to maintain a very high level of fitness and endurance. The average speed of the rides generally falls between 19 and 21 miles per hour, which means at times our cruising speed may reach up to 23-26 miles per hour (with a tailwind, etc).
Being blessed with miles of beautiful scenery in the surrounding area, the A-riders do not do the same course each weekend, and instead pick out a different route each week. The group posting to the GCC list will try to include a link to a map of the route and details on the planned duration for that weekends ride. There will always be options available for people who wish to go a shorter distance, and in the summer months we will provide an optional route for people who wish to keep their ride to two hours, but still wish to leave with a larger group. Often there is a stop along the way, usually 30-50 miles into the longer route.
The overall average speed for the entire ride usually will fall between 19 and 22 MPH. In the first half of the ride, the group will try to remain together, which means we will regroup after all sprint points and keep the pace down. However, riders should still feel comfortable with riding at a pace of 19-22mph in a group.
Although A-riders will endeavor to stay together as a group for the majority of the ride, during the last hour, the A riders will frequently increase the pace of the ride for training. During this last hour, the pace of the ride may exceed 24-26mph. When this occurs the ride will frequently split into several groups and single riders may be left behind. When the group splits you cannot count on it reforming.
To attain these higher speeds in the last hour of the ride, the riders use several different pace line formations, including rotating pace lines and echelons; for the safety of the entire group, riders who are unfamiliar with the various rotating pace lines are encouraged to stay in the back of the peloton.
The pace will be slower when:
- We go up hills
- There is a strong headwind
The pace will be faster when:
- We are going down a hill
- There is a tailwind
- All members of the group agree to go faster
- During the last segment of the ride
Some members of the A-ride may at times choose to do intervals. Although we would prefer that those riders do them on their own ride, and not interfere with the A-ride rotation, riders who insist on doing intervals during the A-ride should first let the group know what they are doing and then drop off the back of the group for their interval. If they wind up overtaking the group during their interval, they should just continue past the group but let the people on the front know so as not to cause confusion.
This group does not currently have any rides on the schedule.
When you join the group (in the Members Area) you will be able to elect to receive instant email notifications of group ride postings.
Group membership is open to all Gainesville Cycling Club members. To join, sign in to the Members Area, go to the Ride page, and click on "Join A Group" just under the "Group Membership" heading.
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