SRS Week 0 – Central Park Laps - Recap
Saturday, April 6, 2024 - Recap
Figure out your ride speed…
24 Miles
Saturday, April 6, 2024
The goal of "SRS 0" is for people to know their ride speed. Knowing your ride speed is important as you participate in club rides throughout the year. You'll avoid problems and have the best experience if you go on rides that best match your ride speed.
The SRS 0 ride involves timing yourself as you go around Central Park FOUR times. Each lap is ~6 miles, so the ride will be ~24 miles in total. However, "ride speed" is your speed on the flats, and there are hills in Central Park. So you might think that someone who takes 2 hours to go the 24 miles would be a 12 mph rider, but they're actually a 13-14 mph rider since time is added to compensate for the hills.
We defer to the NYCC's timings for this ride as they've been doing these rides for a very long time. Here's their breakdown of times for each speed:
22 mph = 1h 10m or less
21 mph = 1h 10m to 1h 13m
20 mph = 1h 13m to 1h 16m
19 mph = 1h 16m to 1h 20m
18 mph = 1h 20m to 1h 25m
17 mph = 1h 25m to 1h 30m
16 mph = 1h 30m to 1h 38m
15 mph = 1h 38m to 1h 48m
14 mph = 1h 48m to 2h 00m
13 mph = 2h 00m to 2h 14m
12 mph = 2h 14m to 2h 30m
11 mph = 2h 30m to 2h 50m
It's important to do all four laps since "ride speed" is the speed you can maintain over a long distance, not the speed at which you can sprint. Also, if you're not used to going longer distances, 24 miles is long enough to make you realize that you may not have prepared for the ride properly (e.g., you didn't bring enough food and fluids to make it the full 24 miles.) It's much better to learn that lesson in the safety of Central Park than it is in the middle of New Jersey!
If you can't make the scheduled time for the ride, it's a good idea to do the ride on your own at a time that suits your schedule.
If it's easier to get to Prospect Park, you can test your speed there as well. Do SEVEN laps around Prospect Park and then refer to the following table to determine your speed:
22 mph = 1h 5m or less
21 mph = 1h 5m to 1h 10m
20 mph = 1h 10m to 1h 15m
19 mph = 1h 15m to 1h 20m
18 mph = 1h 20m to 1h 25m
17 mph = 1h 25m to 1h 30m
16 mph = 1h 30m to 1h 35m
15 mph = 1h 35m to 1h 40m
14 mph = 1h 40m to 1h 47m
13 mph = 1h 47m to 1h 55m
12 mph = 1h 55m to 2h 5m
There are no better or worse ride speeds – just different capabilities and styles of riding. This metric will help you choose which rides you will enjoy the most.
If you find that long rides don't suit you (yet), you may want to consider our "Intro To Road Cycling" series that will help you build the skills you need to be a more confident cyclist.
Ride Details
| Series | Included with Spring Riding Series 2024 |
| Distance | 24 Miles |
| Start Location | Sent to registered members |
| Date | Saturday, April 6, 2024 |
| Meet Time | Sent to registered members |
| Start Time | Sent to registered members |
| Level | All Levels |
| Speed | All Speeds |
| Ride Organizer | Christopher M. |
Riders
Christopher M.
Peter E.
Bob W.
John O.
Cesar C.
R S
Robert S.
Ronald P.
J R
Joseph R.
J L
Jim L.
Mark H.
Matthew V.
Johnny C.
M S
Michael S.
G K
Gregory K.
RIDES AND EVENTS CALENDAR
WED
28
FEB
THU
07
MAR
MON
18
MAR
THU
04
APR
SAT
06
APR
SAT
06
APR
THU
11
APR
SAT
13
APR
SUN
14
APR
SUN
14
APR
SAT
20
APR
SUN
21
APR
SUN
21
APR
SAT
27
APR
SAT
04
MAY
SAT
04
MAY
SUN
05
MAY
TUE
07
MAY
WED
08
MAY
SAT
11
MAY
SAT
18
MAY
SAT
18
MAY
SAT
18
MAY
SUN
19
MAY
SUN
26
MAY
THU
30
MAY
SAT
01
JUN
SAT
01
JUN
SAT
01
JUN
SUN
02
JUN
THU
06
JUN
SUN
09
JUN
SAT
15
JUN
SUN
23
JUN
THU
27
JUN
FRI
28
JUN
SUN
30
JUN
SUN
07
JUL
TUE
09
JUL
TUE
16
JUL
TUE
23
JUL
TUE
30
JUL
FRI
02
AUG
SAT
03
AUG
TUE
06
AUG
TUE
13
AUG
TUE
13
AUG
TUE
20
AUG
THU
22
AUG
TUE
27
AUG
SUN
01
SEP
THU
05
SEP
SUN
08
SEP
SUN
15
SEP
SAT
21
SEP
TUE
01
OCT
FRI
04
OCT
SUN
06
OCT
SAT
12
OCT
SUN
13
OCT
SAT
19
OCT
SUN
20
OCT
SAT
26
OCT
SAT
26
OCT
SUN
27
OCT
SAT
02
NOV
SAT
09
NOV
SAT
09
NOV
SAT
16
NOV
SUN
24
NOV
SAT
07
DEC
SUN
08
DEC
SAT
08
MAR
SAT
15
MAR
WED
19
MAR
SAT
22
MAR
SAT
22
MAR
FRI
28
MAR
WED
02
APR
SAT
05
APR
SUN
06
APR
SAT
12
APR
SUN
13
APR
SAT
19
APR
SUN
20
APR
SAT
26
APR
SAT
21
JUN
WED
09
JUL
THU
18
SEP
RIDE LEVEL KEY
A - Speed Freak - Fast paceline ride
B - Steady Eddy - Moderately paced ride
C - Easy Rider - Gentle paced ride
The 'Ride Speed' indicates the target cruising speed on flat roads.
Comments:
Cesar C.
April 5, 2024
Hey guys, I'm so sorry I couldn't attend the online meeting last night at 630 pm since this will be my first time riding in the club. Is there anything special I should be aware of?
Also, I Don't have much experience as a road cyclist, and I don't have any idea of how to change a pinch-tired. Yes, it is that bad 😞.😁
Is there going to be a netting point? Where is everybody going to meet?
Should I take my bike for a tune-up? Before tomorrow?
Any info will help. Or maybe I should skip this series and start on the first-time riders series? Any advice? Thank you for your time. Saludos C.C
J L
Jim L.
April 5, 2024
Hi Cesar, I am also a newbie to biking and this is my first outing with the OutCycling gang. Don't skip it. Just rememer to wear a helmet, bring water and a snack or two in case you get hungry. If you like, you can ride along with me. I certainly won't be scortching the pavement. It'll be fun. Jim
Cesar C.
April 5, 2024
Hey Jim, thank you so much for your feedback; I feel better now because I won't be the only newbie In the gang, lol. I would love to be there tomorrow, but maybe for me, the best choice is to go to the series training for newbies.
So I hope I can get myself together for the ride because also my bike needs a tune-up since I haven't used it since the end of the summer last year.
Honestly, I'm terrible at fixing anything on the bike. I have no clue, lol
I also do not know if the local bike shop can tune up my bike on time for tomorrow. If they do it for me today, they will probably want to charge me a lot of money for a simple tune-up because it is the last-moment thing.
So we'll see. I would love to be there tomorrow, but IDK, if everything turns out well for tomorrow.
Anyway, thank you for your feedback. Hopefully, we can see each other tomorrow. Take care.
Cesar
J L
Jim L.
April 5, 2024
Hi Cesar, I noticed you indicated you don't have a bike shop. I go to Specialized, 430 Columbus Avenue @ 81st St. Nice personnel. Great service. They tuned up my bike for the season but I had to wait a few days to get it back. 'Tis the season for tuneups.
Cesar C.
April 5, 2024
Yes, thank you for the info. We can catch up tomorrow, and maybe I can take my bike to that shop. That you are suggesting is a great idea. Thank you for your feedback and time. Hopefully, we See you tomorrow. Take care Cesar
Cesar C.
April 6, 2024
Hey guys, I was on my way to Central Park when, about riding one mile from home, my bike brakes suddenly started loading grip or power to the point the brakes were not stopping anymore. So I decided to stop at the nearest bike shop not far from my home. I'm here now. The mechanic told me that it could have air in the system and need to bleed your brake, your pads may be worn too far, your rotor may be too dirty, or your pads or rotor could be contaminated. So it's going to take a while to fix this problem. 😔. I guess I learned my lesson. Have fun out there, and be safe. Hopefully, I will see you next time. 😞
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