Summer Fun With Potomac Pedalers Cycling Club
The rides are classified based on average riding speeds, typical ride distances,and intervals between rest stops. Classifications range from AA (most advanced_ to D (inexperienced) cyclist). If you are new to the club, it is recommended to try a ride below your cycling ability and then move up a level once you are more comfortable. D and C level rides are more social and the culture of the group is to cycle together, waiting for one another so that no one is left behind. A and B level groups are fast. If you can’t keep up, you will get quickly dropped and become a lone wolf on the road.
Here are some things to consider when riding with a cycling group:-
Get to know your bike – gear shifting and breaking. Ride in your neighborhood first to become familiar with your equipment.You don’t want to be learning your bike for the first time while trying to keep up with the bicycling pack.
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Become comfortable with you clipless pedals and cycling shoes.It is a “rite of passage” to fall off your bike while attempting to unclip your shoes from the pedals.
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Always wear a helmet and a bright colored top so that other riders and drivers can see you.
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Learn and use hand signals to alert other cyclists and motorists that you are turning left or right.
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Some rides include a social lunch, adding a nice midway break.If you choose a ride that includes lunch, make sure to bring a lock.
If you are new to the DC area, Potomac Pedalers is a great way to see new neighborhoods and meet new friends while keeping fit!
Bio: Kim Bercovitz, Ph.D – “Dr. Kim” is President and Chief Exercise Officer of X bytes, a wellness company that creates video fitness micro-breaks, wellness lounges and programs for conferences and workplaces to keep participants alert and energized. Trained in mindfulness based stress reduction, Dr. Kim has a Ph.D. in Behavioral Science & Health and a M.S. in Exercise/Health Studies. She was an adjunct professor in public health at the University of Toronto and York University, research scientist at Toronto teaching hospitals, and a National Cancer Institute of Canada postdoctoral fellow. – http://x-bytes.com/
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