Preparations

Wow, it's finally here. To be best prepared for our first ride of the year take a few moments to read the following:

1/ Paperwork
No paperwork = no ride. No exceptions. It's as simple as that.

2/ Pace
Don't expect the pace to be much slower than usual. Rusty skills and bulky clothing will slow us down a bit, but not much. FOG members tend to be fit people and the majority will stay just as fit over the winter. Those that have known me for awhile know that I haven't been really fit for several years. But that was my problem not the group's. It was my responsibility to adapt: really work on my drafting and even sit at the back. If you've let your fitness slip over the winter that's fine, just remember it's your issue, not the group's: do everything to conserve energy - always be one of the first to leave, keep your nose out of the wind at all times, keep your pulls short or don't pull at all*, and don't be afraid to sit at the back. The group would much rather see that than weak pulls or having to wait because you got dropped.
*it's fine to pull out of the pace line before you reach the front, but if there's more than one or two riders doing it, it's much better if you all stay at the back.

3/ Temperature
With a predicted low of 0 and high of +17, Saturday will be one of the most challenging days of the year to dress for. Layer your clothing. If you start with a big bulky jacket and no other options you're going to overheat.

4/ Group Size
It looks to be an awesome day. Expect a large group and splitting up into two groups at Lockport.

5/ Wind
Experienced riders know that if you're not one of the strongest riders in the group a windy day can work to your advantage much more than a calm day, but only if you're smart and draft well. On a windy day the stronger riders who are doing the pulling will have to work much harder against the wind than those who are sitting comfortably in the draft.

It's much easier for riders in the 2nd or 3rd spot to judge the direction of the wind than those on the front.

6/ Don't Take It Personally
At 35 to 40 kph it's pretty windy and loud. Don't take it personally when someone yells directions to you.

7/ Drafting
Those at the front have 3 main responsibilities:
    1. To not lead the group into dangerous situations
    2. To maintain the pace
    3. To ride tightly together to provide a draft for those behind. It's a most basic group riding skill.

Riding out of line with the paceline is frankly, selfish. Yes, it's unnerving to ride in the paceline at times and maybe you don't mind the extra work, but when you ride to one side or the other you put those behind you in great difficulty. There is no place for it in group riding.

8/ Equipment
If you haven't been out yet this year, get out for a short spin and test your bike before Saturday. Those equipment gremlins always seem to crop up over winter. Many a rider has changed shoes only to realize at the ride that their new cleats won't engage with their pedals.

While you're at it put everything you need in an equipment bag Friday night so your shoes and helmet don't stay at home while you make your way to the legion.

9/ Tires
There's lots of debris this time of year. It's a bad combination with old tires. Change them now or risk the wrath of others waiting in the cold as you change your 2nd flat of the day.

10/ Always Maintain Your Line
Generally the safest thing you can do is to maintain your line.
The road will be marked with debris, holes, and even water. Never make abrupt movements. Look far ahead and if you need to alter your line do it decisively, but smoothly well ahead of time. Don't take someone out by suddenly veering to avoid a puddle. You might get presented with a $10,000 bill for a new bike.

11/ Mechanicals
If you get a flat or have a mechanical you're going to naturally slow as you try to figure out what's happened, but try to think about maintaining your speed. Maintain your line and DON'T veer off to the side as others will be passing you. Don't be too critical of other riders. It's always easier for the rider behind to identify the flat. Call it out.

12/ Be Courteous
There are a lot of jerks on the road. Sometimes they're riders. There is no reason to spread out across the road in town. There's no reason to slide pass other members of the peloton on downhills along River Road. There's no reason to slide past other riders at red lights or stop signs.