|
|
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 pre-register?
You must pre-register to join, using the form on our C-SIG web page. Filling it out 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 Self-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 Self-Classification.
Return to Top
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 1–2 excused absences, however—life
happens! But you must contact your ride leader in advance if you have
to miss a class. If you know you would miss more than 2 rides, please
wait until next year and give the space to someone else who can commit
to the series.
Return to Top
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, I’m 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
3 groups with different riding speeds, depending on each rider’s
Self-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!
Return to Top
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. As the B-SIG starts earlier than we do, you might want
to contact them, too. The B-SIG assumes you are somewhat experienced
in shifting, braking, etc. (However, a novice who’s comfortable
with bike handling can do very well with the Bs.) The C-SIG concentrates
on bike skills and assumes riders can always increase their speed
and endurance later. Our fastest C group is held to a 15-16 speed,
because our emphasis is on learning.
Return to Top
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.
Return to Top
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 Grabber ‘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.
Return to Top
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, weÕve added the requirement, similar to the B- and A-Sig, that you lead at least one club C ride sometime during the balance of 2008. As mentioned on our home page, well give you lots of support on this.
Return to Top
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.
Return to Top
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.
Return to Top
How long does each ride last?
Plan to show up for the Self-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 I don’t
think you’ll regret it; you gain life-long skills and get to know
a great bunch of fellow cyclists.
<top>
|
