by Douglas Riccardi
I can still remember the graduation ride when I did the Classic SIG 8 or 9 years ago. I particularly remember a moment just past Lake Tiorati. We had done 60 miles or so, we were getting tired and were starting to slow down. Then Christy Guzzetta pulled up from the back of our group and said, "Get on my wheel, we're going home." He got us back up to speed and as we cruised down 7 Lakes Drive I remember thinking, "Holy Shit! Here I am riding 25 miles an hour 8 inches from someone I didn't even know 13 weeks ago." I remember the whirr of the gears, and everyone chatting and joking even though we had been working our asses off all day. We took turns pulling all the way home and even on the last stretch of 9W we felt like we could have gone another 50 miles.
What is amazing to me now, with the distance of the years, is that I don't recall really anything about how I physically felt, or about how well or how poorly I might have done. What I do recall is the memory of a group of people working together to do something amazing. That whole SIG was about making new friends and helping each other as though we had been teammates forever. It was unlike any of the other rides I had done with the New York Cycle Club because the personal experience had become one that needed to be shared with other riders.
Leading the SIG over the last few years, we've had some good days and some bad days. Certain rides just came together into a great experience and others were pure drudgery. I talked to other leaders about what might have gone wrong and we could never put our fingers on it. But thinking back about these rides, and about my SIG experience it has become clear that it is all about the group dynamic. When it is positive, the SIG is wonderful. When we revert to thinking about ourselves as individuals and not as team members, it falls apart.
Because here's the rub: No matter why you might think you are here or what any one else might tell you: YOU ARE ABOUT TO EMBARK ON A GROUP ACTIVITY. You may have come on your own, and your primary goal might be to become faster, and stronger ON YOUR OWN. I promise that you will become stronger and faster, but the way we will accomplish this is through working on your group riding skills. Otherwise, you might as well pick up an issue of Bicycling magazine and follow one of their 12- to 15-week self improvement plans.
A positive group dynamic is an elusive thing-and it doesn't just happen naturally. It takes work.
I also sing in a chorus-a big one of about 150 singers. It is part of Juilliard and we rehearse once, sometimes twice, a week and usually do about 3 big concerts a year. Most of these concerts are performed with the Juilliard Orchestra which makes the total amount of singers and musicians on stage well over 200. The thrill of making music with 200 people is pretty indescribable, but no different than riding 125 miles with 20 people. It is about becoming one harmonious unit in which everyone works together and no one gets a free ride. Every person knows their part perfectly, and knows when to sing out (read: pull), or when to let another voice or instrument take over (draft). The conductor keeps things together, but the miracle is that it is the concentration and commitment of every person on stage that makes it happen.
It is an amazing experience, and not unlike the one that awaits you in May.
So how do we get there? Here are some thoughts about things to think about during the course of this SIG. Some leaders may have different opinions about things, but at a basic level these tie into everything that we'll be talking about and I hope you'll find them useful:
1. Get to know your group. Make sure you introduce yourself to people you may not know on every ride. That includes the leaders. The name tags we wear make this easy. Resist the temptation to ride with the same friends and/or leaders each week. You'll find that each leader has a unique perspective on things and each of your fellow riders will bring out something different in you. Don't be afraid to point out things to each other that might need improving-but remember that this is a two-way street.
2. Communicate. We want to start thinking like one person. The only way the front of a line is going to know what the last person is doing is by talking. Obviously, we call out road hazards. (That's call out, by the way, not bellow.) But besides that, talk to each other. Not so that you become lost in a heated discussion, but so that you get to know who else is riding with you. I have heard too many times, "Oh, I think that lady with the red Sirotta fell off the back 5 miles ago." That is inexcusable.
3. Come rehearsed. Each week we introduce new skills. On their own, they are not hard. But they build on each other, so they should be learned and practiced during the week. Consider it your homework. Even if you are convinced that another way is best, do it our way-at least for the next 12 weeks. If you just can't get something, ask for help. But failing to master and apply the skills we are teaching holds everyone back and at a certain point becomes just plain unsafe.
Here is the hard part:
4. Remember, the group is what matters. Don't worry, you're not joining a cult. But for the next 12 weeks of this SIG, when you ride with us on Saturday, it is the good of the group that we are concerned with. This means, obviously, coming mentally prepared for this type of thinking and letting go a bit. It also means that when one rider, or a group of riders feel really strong and decide to pull off the front or pushing the pace all day they have the same potential for ruining the group's experience as that person who hasn't been training and needs to stop every 10 miles. It's like blending 150 voices. If you feel particularly strong, you might be able to help by encouraging other riders or by filling a gap. Conversely, if you feel like you can't keep up, let the other riders help you. Work with them. Don't just give up.
Know that little by little we add speed and distance each week. If the advertised pace for the ride is 19 and you stayed out to 4 a.m. or didn't ride all week, don't expect everyone to keep it at 17 so you can keep up.
Dedicate all day Saturday to the Sig. It probably won't be necessary, but if I had a dime for every time someone was antsy or pushing all day because they had a party at 3:00 I'd be riding a titanium bike. Traditionally, the rides end on the hill across from the Boathouse. Resist the urge to break off at 125th Street and head straight home.
Much of the group thing is a morale issue. Excessive complaining can do more damage to this than anything else. Understand right now that from time to time you might get lost, we might get 7 flats in 2 miles, we might get home at 6:30 or you might be pace lining behind someone with the worst BO in history. Try to deal. Also, the leaders will do everything in their power to keep things running smoothly, but 9 times out of ten they are not responsible for problems such as those listed above.
5. Focus on the end result. Not everyone has a stellar day every day. You have 12 weeks. If you just feel like hell one week, resist the urge to just pack it in. Take a day and rest. Then get out an ride during the week, maybe pushing yourself a little harder than usual. But during the hellish ride, remember that there are 60 of us. If you do the best you can, and remember what I said in number 4, above, you'll be doing great. Next week will definitely be better.
6. You can do anything you want to. As a group you will surprise each other with what is possible.
7. Have fun.