An experiment: two fast groups (Sunday 7th February)

Following some discussion, depending on numbers, we're going to try having two fast groups this Sunday: one going at a training for racing kind of pace (probably 19mph?) and one going moderately fast, but not all-out (probably between 17 and 18mph). This

is the intended route - if you're planning to join us and you have a Garmin, please download this route and stick it on your device.

What we will probably try out this week is riding as one bunch on the way up through Chingford and Sewardstone. Then, when we get to the early climb of Mott Street, people can go up that as fast as they want and we'll regroup at the top. We'll pause briefly at the Green Hut in High Beach and set the slower of the fast groups off first, with the faster group setting off again two or three minutes later. From there it's downhill to Theydon Bois, a bit of a climb back out of the village up to the road under the M11, down the other side to Abridge and then up the long draggy climb of Hoe Lane. By this point I expect the faster group will have caught the slower group - if not, we can pause at the top again to regroup. This is about 16.5 miles into the ride - by now people will know if they've chosen the wrong group and can switch between them and we will split up for good. Though, as both groups will be following the same route, if you get dropped from the faster group, you'll probably get swept up by the slower group eventually.

If you're new to group riding, it's worth having a look at this. Listen out for shouts about cars up ahead or coming from behind, go single file when we have to let things get past, most of the time ride two abreast not overlapping wheels, signal to warn people about parked cars, potholes, slow riders to be overtaken etc. Make sure you've got spares & tools to deal with the most likely mechanical problems (a puncture being the obvious one) - we'll stop for this, but generally speaking the faster groups won't keep stopping for people who get dropped so choose a group that whose pace you can manage. No cafe stop, I'm afraid.

Leaving from the gates outside Waltham Forest Town Hall at 9:00am - some of us will be in this cafe round the corner from 8.30am. The aim is to back in Walthamstow some time between 12:00 and 12:30.

What animal loads a route with hills at the end?!

I will be at the Town hall for 9 or if im running late at The Castle but don't wait for me, I can catch up as i'll have the route.

Sounds like a good plan. See you Sunday.

Which route is it Jamie? Don't know which to download?

I think I'm gonna end up stuck between the 'medium' group which seems to be going at 12pmh from looking at people's strava and the fast which is just a touch too fast I think. Ellen's coming this week again though so if we have the route we can stick together.

Hi Chrystyna. It's the route linked to in the post where it says 'This is the intended route' (just click on the word 'This'). Just to be on the safe side, here is the link again: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12052097

I reckon you'll be alright - the whole point of having a not-so-fast fast group (as well as a proper fast one) is to cater for the people who want something moderately fast, but don't want to turn themselves inside-out trying to stay with David/Pedro/Carsten until they get dropped out in the wilds. You've done the Ride London 100 miles at 20mph, so 50-odd miles at about 17.5mph isn't going to be an issue.

I like the route! See you Tomorrow :)

I think that worked pretty well? The 'fast-fast' group got to go at their own pace, but we still did about the first 10 miles all together, and giving the 'not-so-fast fast' group a headstart meant that we saw each other again later on. Once we had turned into the headwind our group (which was pretty big - 12? 13? 14?) started to fragment after Ongar. We regrouped near Toot Hill and decided to split into two - the faster ones doing all the hills as planned and the slower ones taking a more direct and less vertical route back. I think that worked out best for everyone. A bit of footage here: https://youtu.be/DMpk6R6LI_U

Don't know what happened last weekend as I was one of the four that headed down to Brighton, but I think numbers were lower because of Valentine's Day so not sure if we had two fast groups or just one. Anyway, numbers permitting, we should aim to do the same thing tomorrow. David, who led the 'fast-fast' group last time isn't out tomorrow, but Barnaby has suggested this route and is keen to ride it fast. I'll be on my (slower) winter bike, so happy to lead a slightly slower group if necessary.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12239767