Autumnal ride to Alsager, five go to Booths Hall and some easy ride etiquette

Autumnal sunshine was the key ingredient for last week’s easy rides.

There were 14 of us out on the Sunday ride from Macclesfield to Alsager. We split into two equal groups at Siddington, by colour of cycling jersey, as we were of a similar speed. John was wearing a club top, so he led the club and orangish tops group, made up of Snowy, Sue, Vinny, Peter J, Simon Ga and Phil B. I led everyone else, namely Siobhan, Hannah, Mike (welcome to first Sunday ride), Mark H, Griff and Jim.

We ride at the pace of the slowest rider, for my group this turned out to be me when going uphill, accompanied by Jim who was recovering from his previous week averaging 60 off-road miles a day in Suffolk with Simon and Phil. Unfortunately some of our group had forgotten the basics of easy rides and did not slow down after dropping us on Radnor Bank, in either direction (please see final paragraphs for some easy ride etiquette reminders).

My group arrived at the Courtyard Cafe at Alsager just a few minutes after John’s group, who were still in a queue ordering. There was plenty of room available for us inside and outside the cafe, but not so much once we had all sat down! Vinny joined my group for the ride back, at Siddington Jim and I headed back to Wilmslow, Griff and Mark headed for the Hanging Gate, and the rest headed back to Broken Cross, with support from Vinny.

We had sunshine again for Thursday morning’s pop-up easy ride from Wilmslow to Booths Hall. It was a little busier than usual in places, particularly on the two short stretches of the Chelford to Knutsford road included in our route. The explanation was obvious when we spotted a diversion sign! Tatton Perk was pleased to see us, their coffee was excellent. Michelle went for the Philpotts bacon barm, and we all sat outside in the sun.

So, a reminder of easy ride etiquette. Firstly, it is an easy ride, not a training ride, a competition or a race. You are of course more than welcome to get in some training miles before or after the easy ride. Secondly, it is a no drop ride. This means that we slow down or stop after junctions, and the tops of hills to make sure that we still have everyone. If you have dropped the ride leader, then whoever is at the front of the group needs to take responsibility for doing this. Also please note that if you overtake the ride leader, you are then responsible for your own navigation! The ride leader will often also ask for or nominate a backsweeper just to make sure that we do not lose anyone. Thirdly, we are inclusive, everyone is welcome.

Finally a note on groups. We will split into different speed groups if we have a wide range of speed abilities out. I am always happy to lead a slower group, and know all the good short cuts. We will also split into groups if there are a lot of us out, and sometimes these will be similar speed groups. If there are not many of us out then we will ride as one group. So, please be prepared to be flexible, and do download the route beforehand if you have a navigation device!

Katherine

Sunday easy ride at Courtyard cafe, Alsager

Sitting in the sun at Booths Park