I have joined this group but I am not a member but I have considered
joining a ride but I feel the same as pjrw08 that perhaps I am not
ready for such a long ride (25 - 45 miles). I have been doing
spinning for 6 months which is a gym based group cycling activity
which is quite intense. I am 50+ and even though I feel fit I am not
that confident of cycling for such a long period etc...
Would you consider tempering the distance for new solo members such
as myself and others, who could then help out with leading rides
until then move up a level. Just a suggestion.

--- In cyclecardiff@..., "pjrw08" <pjrw08@...> wrote:
>
>
> 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?
> > >
> >
>