This is my situation. I come from a running background and since I began triathlon have done most of my riding alone. This year I got up the nerve to join our local club and ride with the “roadies”. They are a pretty tight group the more I came out, got my ass kicked and kept coming back for more they started to warm up. We are supposed to ride Tuesday and Thursday nights at 6:00 pm but the same people hold it up every time. Last Thursday one guy showed up at 6:15 and then proceeded to run into the shop buy a tube and change his flat…we left at 6:30. The sun was dropping behind the trees as we barely finished 50km. No one else appears to care. We own a retail business and I work about 60-65 hours over 7days, that alone with a young family means my training time is well planned. I have arranged to leave the store Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:00. To get in two quality rides.
Should I say something or leave it alone? Three of the last four rides I went out alone and got in between 75 and 90 km. I know for triathlon it’s important to do some riding alone but I do like the extra push the group offers especially on climbs.
I think chronic lateness is one of the worst forms of arrogance. Am I alone?
I am one of those chronically late people, but nobody ever waits for me and I don’t expect it. If I am 5 minutes late to my bike shop I know I will be chasing for the morning or looking for shortcuts !. If you start leaving on time people will learn to arrive on time, works for me. I would say something.
I think you should try to change everyone to be like you. Here’s how: Don’t say anything, because then you will be a dick. Just leave on time, I’ll bet some start to leave with you. If not, they may catch you, and then you are back riding with the group. But I hope with a half hour headstart, they would a least have to work hard to catch you.
I would try finding people that leave on time… that a big pet peeve of mine, the group ride here on wednesdays leaves at 6:30 sharp. 6;53, most of the time, everyone is GONE! with friends, same thing… I have no patience fot that
I’m with you. My bike group is quite prompt and I know that if I’m caught in traffic and I’m just 2 mins late (we leave at 6:30 sharp), that I’ll be a chasin’ the pack. I do not like being late and would never expect any group of “peers” to wait on me, unless previously acknowledged or agreed upon.
I would just leave on time, get in a few quality “time trial” miles, then meet back up with the pack. You also won’t feel as bad in their draft either since you alread have some miles in I would bet that eventually, a small “splinter” group would join you. A quiet coup …
I agree with leaving on time. Ride solo, if you must, for 10-15 minutes, then double back on that evening’s route 'till you find the group and join in.
It bugs me that groups leave late, but it bugs me even more when they take 4 hours to do a 3-hour ride. Do we really need to stop at *THREE *7-11’s and dick around for 20 minutes at each one?
I had quit group riding years ago, but recently found a good group that leaves on time and rolls through to the end of the ride (Hi-Tech Bikes group in San Diego on Saturday mornings, if anyone is interested). I start from where I live and ride toward where they come from and do a U-turn when they come rolling along. That way, no worries about being late or on time or whatever.
I think chronic lateness is one of the worst forms of arrogance. Am I alone?
And yes, I would agree. Chronic lateness is like saying, “F**k you – you don’t matter” to the target of the lateness. I once told a potential new client that I wouldn’t take him on after he was late, with a “I could give a shit” attitude for our first few meetings.
We had a similiar problem until one of the members brought it up. Seems almost everybody was in agreement. Our group now leaves at the designated time and if you’re late they’ve left without you.
I’d mention it to the other riders and see what the response is.
Your question also sort of begs another question…I too work 60-65 hrs/wk and 3 young kids. IF I want to train AND do well in my carreer AND do well with my family, I simply don’t have any extra minutes to waste. So, I haver gotten to the point where the vast majority of my training is solo.
I do think that solo training takes a different mindset, but I now love it - it is my private time, meditation time, planning time, and thinking time. I also think it can make you faster and your training more optimized b/c you don’t have to compromise for group preferences, bathroom stops, late folks, hammer heads, etc.
My water ski group has a 15 minute rule. If you’re not at the boat ramp 15 minutes after departure time, the boat leaves without you, even if you call.
Since you’re the new guy you might have trouble demanding new rules, so I’d go with Monk(ey)'s idea - but perhaps just casually let some folks know that you’ll be leaving on time. If a few go with you, great, if not, you’ll know thats just not the way this group operates and might need to find another one.
I get frustrated with rides that leave late, too, because I’m an early arriver and always ready to go at least 10 minutes before stated departure time. But I’m not president of all Baltimore cyclists, so I just accept it and go with the flow.
Funny, the problem on some of the group rides I’ve been on is that they are punctual to a fault, if the ride is advertised at 9 am, they are off at 9:00:01, never mind that a dozen or so riders are still getting ready.
To me, if a ride is advertised at 9, it should leave at about five minutes past. More than 10 minutes past the advertised time is the longest reasonable leeway to give late folks. Leaving much later than that is unfair to the people that are prompt.
I just put together a Tuesday morning group ride and advertised it as meet at 5:30, ride starts PROMPTLY at 5:40. Since many of us commute to work after the ride, there really is no option of waiting for straglers. Come hell or high water, I intend to get rolling on every ride at exactly 5:40. No mercy for flats, late arrivals, etc. It is easier in the morning because most people have places to get to and time is thin.
Being as you’re new to the group, you have the asshole option of complaining, or the gentleman’s option of leaving on time with a polite “I"m squeezed for time and have to get rolling” line to whoever is listening.
Yes, I agree with this entirely. Lateness is just telling some one that they think they’re more important than anyone else.
My (soon to be ex) wife is this way. When I tell her we need to leave at a certain time, she will be FINALLY ready to leave at least 15 minutes after that. I’ve told her whay I think of that, but to no avail. It’s just another nail in the coffin of that relationship.
As for the group rides, I agree that, as the new person there, you should not try to change the group. It’s a dynamic that seems to work for them. Obviously they’re not as tightly scheduled as yourself. Work with it or find another group.
But the suggestion to leave on time, and take some of the group with you is a good one.
As for actual leave time, I figure meeting at the appointed time for a review of the ride, then leave at 5-8 minutes after is about right. If they’re not at location by then, they’re on their own.
