EBCC

EBCC groups road rides into the following four categories: A, B, C & D, as detailed below. Helmets are required, as is appropriate food and water. In addition, all riders should have the tools and ability to change a flat tire.

Category A

• Level: Challenging
• Ride Ability: 50 to 100+ miles
• Average Speed: 18+ mph

A step up in competitiveness from the "B" rides. These rides are fast, with a focus on training and conditioning objectives. Riders in these groups should be fit and have a high level of bike handling skills as drafting will be required to keep with the pace lines that often form. The group will look out for one another however there is a potential to get dropped, riders should be self-sufficient (spare tube, pump, etc…), you should familiarize yourself with the route prior to departure and know your way home as a precaution. Sustained efforts are the norm, regroups occur at long intervals (1 or 2 per 40 mile ride). The average pace ranges from 16-22 mph depending on the terrain.

Wondering if this ride is right for you? Yes, if you are able to average 17+ mph on your own for 30 miles in moderately hilly terrain. Many of the "A" rides have experienced racers who are willing to share their knowledge and experience if you are thinking about giving bike racing a try. Riders who do well on "B" rides will find this to be challenging yet an achievable step up and after a few rides you will find your fitness and bike handling skills greatly improved.

Category B

• Level: Advanced
• Ride Ability: 30 to 75 miles
• Average Speed: 15 to 18 mph

Rides designed for solid, experienced cyclists interested in getting a good workout and enjoying themselves. Drafting does occur at times, and some members of the group are likely to compete for the top of the hills, pull hard for short periods or do sprint finishes on quiet back roads, all in an effort to keep the ride fun and interesting. Overall, the point of the ride is to enjoy the exercise. These rides regroup frequently (e.g. after large hills, long sections ridden at higher speeds, and major intersections). The average pace ranges from 15-18 mph, depending on the terrain.

Wondering if this ride is right for you? Yes if you are able to average a minimum of 15 mph on your own for 30 miles on rolling terrain to keep pace with these rides. Those with the requisite fitness level but who are looking to improve will greatly benefit from the many experienced riders willing to share valuable bike handling and group ride skills.

Category C

• Level: Moderate
• Ride Ability: 15 to 45 miles
• Average Speed: 12 to 15 mph

Specially designated rides for new road cyclists learning road safety, group riding, bike handling skills, developing fitness. Others who wish to ride at an easier, more social pace will equally enjoy these rides. The pace is set to keep riders together, no one gets dropped. The group may decide to splits based on skill levels to ensure everyone enjoys the ride and may also split based on size of the group since smaller groups are safer and easier to manage.

The average pace ranges from 10-15 mph, depending on the terrain and avoids steep or long hills. These rides do not involve drafting or pace lines, you need to have a road bike and be able to maintain a solid aerobic effort for an hour or more to go on these rides. The ride is led and often attended by experienced riders, but don't worry! They always maintain designated pace and are in attendance to improve overall group safety and support, and we encourage developing riders to ask them questions.

Category D

• Level: Unpredictable
• Ride Ability: 5 to 340 miles
• Average Speed: 5 to 41.5 mph

Rides that are populated by Freds, Poseurs, and MAMILs (middle-aged-men-in-lycra) who subscribe to the mantra of “the older we get, the faster we used to be!” Riders in these groups will be obsessed with updating their bikes every year with a newer carbon model that weighs 25 grams less than last year’s model, and will bore you to death extolling the benefits of their new ceramic bearings. There will likely be an unhealthy obsession with carbon wheels, town-line sprints and downhill Strava segments. These rides will include big climbs, with most of the riders claiming they would have had a KOM except that their brakes were rubbing.

All "D" rides will have at least a 2-to-1 ratio of (a) post-ride beer and food calories consumed over (b) calories burned during the ride. Riders are warned against pace lining, lest the rider in front of them is wearing his six-year old, threadbare bib shorts. Certain riders are known to arrive at the start without their front wheel, or sometimes without their entire bike. Pace lines often resemble a spastic rattle snake on hot tarmac. As a result of past tragedies, “snot rockets” are strictly prohibited. Ride leaders are extensively trained to know the location of every port-o-potty within a fifty mile radius. Kit clash is rampant.