Thank you for your replies. I had no idea that cycling beginners would present such problems. What it comes down to is that neither you, nor the CTC, nor anyone else in Cardiff that I know of, is able to cater for cyclists until their fitness, strength and stamina is up to at least the average level of those already participating in your organised runs. Until that stage is reached, beginners are on their own.
Fine. No problem. I understand your difficulties and on reflection it is probably best that you don't even attempt to cater but, instead, limit yourselves to the activities that are well supported. But please revise your welcome message as it is misleading.
--- In cyclecardiff@..., "germainecw" <germainewalsh@...> wrote:
>
> Cycle Cardiff has always aimed to welcome and encourage new cyclists
> and we try to put on a ride every month which is shorter and uses
> quieter roads compared to the more advanced rides. In practise, this
> is often harder to arrange as there is a smaller turnout on
> the 'novice / family rides' compared to the very long rides that
> take place on bank holidays, implying that there is less need for
> the shorter routes such as those to Castell Coch, the Norwegian
> Church or Forest Farm.
>
> All leaders are volunteers with full-time jobs who enjoy the social
> aspect of cycling in a group. There is a core group of members who
> regularly lead rides and as they become fitter and more confident,
> it is understandable that they will offer to lead more challenging
> rides but we apologise if this means that older or less confident
> riders feel excluded.
>
> We welcome anyone who would like to lead a ride (suggested
> guidelines exist and there are always members willing to sweep
> behind as co-leaders) so please contact us if this interests you.
>
> The main reason that all rides start from Bute Park is simply that
> it is central regardless where you live in Cardiff and to avoid
> confusion in finding us. If a leader wished to start elsewhere (such
> as Roath Park), there is nothing to stop this assuming suitable car
> parking facilities existed for those preferring to drive their bike
> and a landmark made the start easy to find.
>
> In recent years a number of rides have featured East Cardiff and the
> Pengam Green route towards Newport although many beginners would be
> wary of the potholes, fast cars and verbal abuse of some local
> residents when cycling the Coast road. Pjrw08 and others are
> encouraged to attend a forthcoming meeting so that we can receive
> verbal feedback and amend our route ideas accordingly.
>
> --- In cyclecardiff@..., "pjrw08" pjrw08@ wrote:
> >
> > I have just joined and am encouraged by your apparent wish to
> cater for
> > new cyclists as well as the more experienced.
> > May I enquire what, precisely, is arranged for new cyclists and
> perhaps
> > especially the older ones (50+, 60+) who, like me, started
> recently by
> > riding a mile or two around the block and, after a few weeks, can
> now
> > manage perhaps 6-10 miles in one session and then call it a day.
> > Your runs appear to cater for those who can handle hills and
> traffic
> > and round trips of 25 miles plus. Hardly catering for beginners?
> > Also, your runs (and others) seem to start in or near the city
> centre -
> > just getting to the start would be a major challenge for most
> > beginners - and the east side of Cardiff seems to be left out
> > completely despite easy access to excellent beginners country in
> the
> > low lying area between Cardiff and Newport.
> > So I repeat; how do you propose to encourage beginners?
> >
>
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