1st Disappointing ride

I was not a happy Jan after today's morning ride. >:|
Why??? you say..

During the week I bumped into Ed (Edward Ho, my wife friend husband) at subway. I been wanting to catch up with him and join him on his rides on Saturday mornings. He said he will be riding this Saturday 6:15am is when the cycle group leaves.

So prep as usual, picked up Keong and we headed down there, 6:05am
Unpack and got suited up!!
Looked around and there was no Ed.. hmmm so I asked around,
Me: "do you guys know Ed?"
Random People: "nope"
Me: "Ed Asian guy with a specialized bike"
Random People: "nope"

WTF, 6:15am outside RIDERS CHOICE
Its a small group around 10-12 people and they were about to head off and still no Ed in sight, I lost Ed mobile number so I couldn't ring him bah!!!

So we decided just ride with the group and see how it goes. There was a guy in riders choice clothing with a serious mean looking bike standing next to his mini, I asked him was there another group, he said yeah next one is 6:30 but its faster, I thought nah not that group because Ed keeps getting drop so he would be going at 6:15

So we rode off with the group and see how they go. F... me, you never know how good a group is until you ride with others. We were at the back because we don't know how this group rides and we don't know the course cause we were going to just cruise with Ed. So....

1. The last guy (well around last 3 cause Keong & I moved from 1-3 last)did not know how to ride or judge or just not thinking straight, twice he nearly caused a crash at the back of the line.. really WTF one involving Keong and another one where he had to break (burning rubber) and nearly hitting the guy in front of him.

2. I asked people at the back if anyone knew Ed... NOPE!

3. Apparently this is the slower group, 30kph is the speed the group going... slower Okaayyyy... So wheres the beginners group? NONE!

At a traffic light I had another "which foot should i stand" episode. I unclipped left but it bumped my front wheel and put me off balance so i leaned right.. FARKK.. so I put my elbow out so prevent falling fully over. Man my elbow hurts a bit, but only a tiny scratch on my pedal. So when I got up the lights turned red and had to wait, we tried to catch up going 33kph and I haven't really warmed up, so trying my best to get those leg muscles going but we hit another red light, Keong ran it tsk tsk, but i waited and then we lost the pack. We rode around looking for them but couldn't find them, so we turned around and aimed for 20km ride, we saw the 2nd Riders Choice pack and shouted out ED!!!!! no one responded. The pack was big but I think most of those guys just sit in the middle and cruise it.

Anyways as we were riding back to Leederville, we passed a few Bikeforce packs (small) and then we saw a big massive one, the guys in the front had black Jerseys, We stopped at the traffic lights and I just looked over and asked the guy at the front which group he was from.

Him: "Runners world, and you?"
Me: "None so far, but thanks cya"

and i took off catching up to Keong

Just that quick chat to that person can tell you a lot of things, type of person he was, and he was a very nice guy and just seeing the massive pack just shows you how good/friendly of a group is.

Here is my grudge, Sorry this is my personal opinion if it I offend anyone well too bad.

If you are a bike shop and you organize a "bike shop ride", please do it in a professional manner. The size of the pack is a clear indication on how good is your organization skills.

Riders Choice 6:15am ride, The leader didn't approach/acknowledge any new riders, it was a drop ride so its understandable but where is the ride for the new beginners who just bought a bike from you? So you expect an average Joe who comes into the shop buys a bike and automatically can do 30kph and know where to go. You got to be joking, your turn over of selling bikes would be crap.

Joondalup Bikeforce, have 3 groups to cater for the speed and at least 2 volunteers to look after a group. One at the back and front, they can help repair/assist anyone in need. They have created a environment of a professional but social rides where riders do talk to each other while riding. The Bikeforce group is pretty big and is continually growing. To me the way they have operated it has made riding a very fun enjoyable sport with friendly people around you who can help you if in need. That is why nearly everyone in the group can do 60km at the HBF ride.

Riders Choice all I can say is new riders don't like getting dropped and left behind to fend for them selves. I personally wont be ever wanting to ride with them, I can keep up the pace but the vibe in the rides are of a cold feeling. Anyone who lives in that area, avoid Riders Choice and just ride up to Runners world and join them instead.

I would like to say thanks to Joondalup Bikeforce and the guys/gals at Peleton Charity Shield on helping me improve and to enjoy the sport. I have lost a lot of body fat and looking good. I did know how nice and friendly they were but didn't know how good it was until I felt the cold from another Bike shop ride.

0/5 on Riders Choice group rides.