Some Weekday Afternoons/Evenings
Some Weekend Afternoons
(Watch the Biking Events Calendar)
Pre-Season Sport Training Rides
UWSP Sundial, Center Campus, Stevens Point
(between the Fine Arts building and the Library)
The Event:
These rides are for those of us sport riders aching to get off our trainers and out onto the
roads to get ready for the upcoming riding season. Beginning in March and going through April,
these rides will be conducted weather and road conditions permitting, and will initially be slow
and short to accommodate our "winter legs". Over the weeks we will progress to more moderate
rates and longer distances. In all cases we will stick together and have a good time. The goal:
to build some miles and catch up on what we've been doing over the winter months.
These pre-season sport rides take place on some weekends usually starting at noon, as well as
during the week starting at 4:00 or 5:00 pm. Depending on those who show up, we ride local
routes of 20-35 miles. The goal is to progressively increase the intensity and distance of rides
as participants improve their conditioning.
Directions: The University of Wisconsin--Stevens Point (UWSP) campus is located about 1 mile east of the center of the City. Enter Stevens Point on Hwy 66 for 1.5 to 2 miles to Division Street. At signal light on Division Street turn north for 1-2 blocks to Portage Street. Turn east on Portage Street for 2 blocks. Sundial is on the left east of and adjacent to the Noel Fine Arts Center. There is meter parking in the lot south of the Sundial, or street parking along Phillips Street.
The Ride: These rides are for
sport road
cyclists. Many of us have older road bikes that we ride on the winter roads, but you are welcome
to ride a mountain or cross bike, especially for the rides in early March. Slow speeds are
between 14-16 mph; moderate speeds are 16-19 mph. Short distances are between 20-30 miles; longer
distances are between 25-40 miles. The speed and distances will not only be determined by the
time of the season, but also the weather conditions and the wishes and conditioning of those who
are riding that day.
No Drop Policy: At all times these rides will conform to the Heartland No-Drop Policy (NDP).
These are rides not races, and for safety reasons, the group will always remain together and no
rider will be left behind to ride alone.
The Weather Conditions:
Two to four hours prior to a published ride the decision process begins by the ride host to
determine whether or not a ride will go forward. By one hour prior to departure time on the day
of the ride the decision will be made. These are the minimum conditions for a "GO" for a ride:
- Roads clear and dry, although some snow, ice, slush, salt, sand, gravel is to be expected. Temperature above 30 degrees, although sunny, no wind, and 25 degrees can be enjoyable too.
- No precipitation, although later in the spring above 40 degrees and gentle rain might be considered ridable.
- Wind less than 25 mph, although gale-force wind with temps above 50 might be a fun and challenging ride, right?
Is The Ride On? To know whether or not a day is consider ridable (at least by the host), an indicator for rides will be posted to the home page of the Heartland website next to the heading "Call of the Road". Such as this:
- Today's Ride:
(empty) No decision has been made yet.
- Today's Ride:
(yellow) Ride may be on; check again closer to the ride time.
- Today's Ride:
(green) Ride is ON; at least one other rider will be there.
- Today's Ride:
(red) Ride is OFF usually due to weather and/or road conditions.
There were 4 cyclists on the previous ride.
Food and Drinks: Riders should bring enough food and water for a 25-35 mile ride. No food or water will be provided.
Other Information/Instructions:
The Riders: None of us are experts or professional bike riders. We are a mixed group of men and women all with differing levels of training, experience, and physical fitness. We share a passion for bike riding on the road, enjoy riding in a group, and seek to become better riders. Most of us ride 2-5 times a week or more and average 75-200 miles per week during the riding season. Some of us are triathletes, and swim and run too. Mostly, we see ourselves as sport riders, as opposed to social riders or racers. Our competitive spirit is always restrained by our cooperative spirit. We share our knowledge and skills with each other so we all can be better group riders.
Will You Fit In? If you can average 16 mph on an out-and-back or circuit solo ride of
about 25 miles in which your cruise speeds vary from 14-19 mph as a result of wind, hills, etc.,
then you should be able to handle riding with this group. Because much of the time is spent on
this ride drafting off other riders, you should be able to maintain at least 2 mph above what you
can maintain solo. You will find the hills are going to be the greatest challenge to stick with
the group. But don't worry, if you get off the back the group will slow and wait for you, and/or
someone will ride back and shepard you back to the group (see NDP above).
Things to Remember:
- The course will not be marked on the road.
- You will be responsible for getting yourselves back to the start point. You will need to rely on a map (not provided) if you fall back from, or get out in front of our group.
- Even though we will be riding on country roads, remaining single file or at most two abreast and on the right side of the road shows respect for motorists, represents our club well and is highly recommended.
- And as always, certified helmets are required to be worn when riding at all Heartland sponsored events.
Ride Host:
| Jack Friess | jfriess@spacs.k12.wi.us | 715-340-3132 |