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Our C-SIG training
classes start in March! If you are still hesitant about joining, we
say “Go for it!” To help you decide, here are answers
to some frequently asked questions we have received by e-mail and
phone.
Do I just show up, or must I register for the C-SIG?
In addition to joining the club, you must register in advance for the C-SIG using the form on our
C-SIG web page. February is a good time to register for SIGs. It gives
us an idea of how many people want to join. It also gives us an accurate e-mail address so we
can get in touch with you, and an emergency phone number, in the event of injury on the ride.
After pre-registering, the C-SIG starts with a Classification ride in March. This is an evaluation
of your cycling endurance, not a race. To participate in the C-SIG, it's also essential that you do
the Classification.
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What if I can’t make every ride?
Because the C-SIG is a progressive series, we expect you to attend all
8 Saturday rides (or Sunday rain dates). Each week we teach new skills
and ride a little farther and a little faster. So if you miss classes,
it's unfair to both you and to your group when you fall behind in skills
or endurance. We do allow for a few absences; we know that life
happens! But you must contact your ride leader in advance if you have
to miss a class. If you know, or think it likely, that you will miss more than 2 rides of
the 8, or both of the first two, please wait until next year and give the space to someone
else who can commit
to the series.
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How much biking experience do I need to
join? I’m a runner
but new to biking . . . . I just got a new bike . . . . I’m
an experienced rider but haven’t ridden much in the past few
years . . .
There are three minimum requirements for joining the C-SIG. First,
you should know how to ride a bike (no, we’re not kidding!) and
be able to control the bike. This is for your own and the group’s
safety. During the SIG, you will get lots of time to improve your
bike-handling ability. Second, you should be able to maintain a minimum
average pace of 10 miles per hour. We’ll divide riders into
groups with different riding speeds, depending on each rider’s
Classification time. Last year’s C-SIG group ranged from
11-16 miles per hour at the beginning. All groups start slower and
ride for fewer miles, then gradually build up speed and distance.
Third, you should be willing to commit to attending all 8 weeks,
to follow instructions from your ride leaders, and to have fun. Being
a beginner cyclist is an advantage, in a way. We like to start at
the beginning and train you our way. Having no previous bad habits
to overcome is good!
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I’m an experienced rider but really want to learn
more about the fundamentals of cycling. Will the C-SIG be too
slow for me?
The C-SIG tries to give you a thorough grounding in all aspects
of cycling including basic group riding techniques, basic bike handling skills, and
helps you develop a good relationship with your equipment, and with your body on the
bike including posture, pedaling, etc. The B-SIG assumes you are somewhat experienced
in shifting, braking, group riding fundamentals, and familiar with your equipment, either
from the C-SIG or from your own experience, and moves forward from there to intermediate
group riding techniques and longer and hillier rides. The speed of the faster C-SIG groups
is usually approximately the same as the slower B-SIG groups, but with less distance or
hills as appropriate for a novice. Keep in mind that, due to demand, you can only do
the C-SIG once and only do the B-SIG once. Many graduates of both C and B SIGS participate
in the various century and other events over the summer, as well as the numerous weekly NYCC rides.
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Do I need special equipment?
You must wear a helmet on all rides and bring a spare tube that
fits your size tires. Also at least one water bottle and a portable
bike pump. If you haven’t yet bought a pump or bike tools, you
can hold off until the C-SIG starts, when we’ll talk about this.
It’s a good idea to make time before the SIG starts to get your
bike in good working condition: brakes adjusted, chain cleaned and
lubed, tires pumped to recommended pressure. Many cyclists visit their
bike shops around now, when it’s not too busy. A tuned bike
should be good for several months of carefree riding.
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Do I need a certain type of bicycle?
The C-SIG focuses on group road cycling skills and a road bike is highly recommended although hybrids and mountain bikes will be accepted. If you are participating in the C-SIG with a hybrid or mountain bike, thinner and smoother tires in lieu of knobby tires are recommended to save energy. Any bike shop can advise you on the range of tire widths available for your wheel. Consistency and predictability are the foundation of safe group riding, therefore bikes with significant differences in handling from road bikes such as recumbents, tandems, single-gear bikes, BMX bikes and aero bars will not be permitted in the C-SIG
I'm getting clipless pedals; can I start the SIG with them even though I haven't had time to practice using them?
If you are new to clipless pedals, it's best for you to start the SIG without them. They do take practice getting used to, and as we'll be doing group riding, good bike control affects not just you, but others around you. Once the SIG starts talk with your group's ride leaders for guidance on this and tips for making the transition to clipless, shall we say, painless?.
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How should I dress?
Dress in layers for cold weather: covered knees (tights plus windbreaker
pants are good if it’s in the 30s), layered tops with a windbreaker
as the outer layer, gloves, something to cover your ears that fits
under your helmet, two layers of socks and winter cycling boots or
booties to cover your shoes. Many of you won’t have cycling
boots or booties, so try putting plastic bags over your socks inside
your shoes or buy chemical toe warmers found at most
sporting good stores. Keep in mind that even at, say, 40 degrees,
with a combined 20 miles of wind and bike speed, your body perceives
a wind chill temperature of 13 degrees! We will cover bike clothing
in more detail during the SIG.
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This is all free?
Well, not quite. We do say the SIG is free, but we require that you join the
NYCC before the SIG begins. Later, we will also ask you to buy a Metro North
bike pass (we'll tell you how); it's $5 and is good for a lifetime. The only
other up front expenditure is lunch money during our rides. And this year, we've
added the requirement, similar to the B- and A-SIG, that you lead at least one
club C ride sometime this summer following graduation. As mentioned on our home page, well
give you lots of support on this.
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How safe is group riding?
You’re probably thinking of pace line riding, where you’re
inches from another cyclist’s rear wheel and you keep your eyes
on the road and that other wheel all the time. We teach single file
group riding, and we start with a healthy gap between bikes. The gap
will narrow over the course of the SIG, but you should be comfortable
riding within the group. We spend a lot of time on verbal and hand
signals and correct positions on the road vis-à-vis left-hand
turns, traffic circles, etc. Honestly, you’ll feel like such
a pro riding in a group.
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Is it too late to get in shape for the SIG? How do I train?
If you can, try to get out and ride before March. There’s
nothing better than riding to train for riding! If you have access
to a gym, the leg press, leg lift and hamstring curl machines are
great for building leg muscles. Aerobic exercise on the treadmill
or elliptical fitness cross-trainer will build lung capacity. At home,
you can do squats, lunges, pushups and crunches to strengthen your
legs, arms and lower back muscles.
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How long does each ride last?
Plan to show up for the Classification ride a little before 9:30
and to leave 2-3 hours later. Then, for the next 8 Saturdays, we’ll
ride all day, getting back around 5 PM. So this is, in a way, the “cost”
of doing a SIG—you hand over your Saturdays to us! But we don’t
think you’ll regret it; you gain life-long skills and get to know
a great bunch of fellow cyclists.
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