02-14-2020, 06:27 AM
Tell me your opinion:
Recently I saw an event for a mixed terrain team time trial event of approx. 50 miles; no specifics as to length of pavement compared to "off-road" surfaces (packed gravel/limerock). An individual had a post, and I quote: "Will do it but need four others." That was all it said. I responded with: "I would have no problem riding on your team. I fear that I would be the slowest, least experienced, using improper equipment. I don't own a hybrid and/or cross bike. My present bike for anything other than pavement is a mid '80s steel road bike "modified" for cross; I put 30mm tires on it. Knowing what the actual terrain is, and what % of the ride would be paved would help because I might be inclined to ride a different bike if mostly paved. Still I'm game. I'm a solo rider, so I don't know anyone else to refer to help complete the team. I'm an older guy (50s) and I have no idea what speed I'd be able do. Never done a non-paved road event. I live about 1.25 hours from the location." The event description recommended against mountain bikes; use of a hybrid or cross bike was recommended, but use of any bike is allowed. It's a free unsanctioned event, open course with traffic and the like (essentially what all my non-trial rides are excepting the "off-road" part). I got a response on the comments page to that site from the same person wanting someone to team up with. I didn't know the gender and/or level of rider that I was talking to; just offering a hot body to help with the requested need. Teams could be all male. all female, or coed. The response was: "Lets see if you can make it through the Doc Hollywood ride tomorrow." I wasn't familiar with this ride nor could I just up and do an 80 mile (had to look up the event and mileage) event at the last minute (I'm an on-call hospital OR worker). I sent back a response about not doing a "job interview" (I was volunteering!) just to ride on that individual's, as yet, non-existent team. I'm now going a different "route" regarding that event, but that's a different story. What's up? Am I wrong to volunteer my help without giving my entire background for what is essentially a meaningless unsanctioned fun ride? Should I have assumed that I needed to have specific experience (I actually do, just not event oriented)? Did the fact that I made it known that this wasn't my forte automatically either exclude me and/or necessitate a traceable result from another event just to prove I can ride farther than the event I was volunteering for? I would have merely said to someone trying to help that I was looking for a more experienced rider, but I'd still be happy to take you on if I couldn't fill out a team so that I could still enter the event as it appeared in my "will only need..." post. I certainly would have thanked someone for offering whether or not I took them on as a team member.
Thanks for any comments; I will not feel insulted if you put me down regarding my naivety for this type of situation. Just curious what I did wrong and/or right.
Take care,
Jesper
Recently I saw an event for a mixed terrain team time trial event of approx. 50 miles; no specifics as to length of pavement compared to "off-road" surfaces (packed gravel/limerock). An individual had a post, and I quote: "Will do it but need four others." That was all it said. I responded with: "I would have no problem riding on your team. I fear that I would be the slowest, least experienced, using improper equipment. I don't own a hybrid and/or cross bike. My present bike for anything other than pavement is a mid '80s steel road bike "modified" for cross; I put 30mm tires on it. Knowing what the actual terrain is, and what % of the ride would be paved would help because I might be inclined to ride a different bike if mostly paved. Still I'm game. I'm a solo rider, so I don't know anyone else to refer to help complete the team. I'm an older guy (50s) and I have no idea what speed I'd be able do. Never done a non-paved road event. I live about 1.25 hours from the location." The event description recommended against mountain bikes; use of a hybrid or cross bike was recommended, but use of any bike is allowed. It's a free unsanctioned event, open course with traffic and the like (essentially what all my non-trial rides are excepting the "off-road" part). I got a response on the comments page to that site from the same person wanting someone to team up with. I didn't know the gender and/or level of rider that I was talking to; just offering a hot body to help with the requested need. Teams could be all male. all female, or coed. The response was: "Lets see if you can make it through the Doc Hollywood ride tomorrow." I wasn't familiar with this ride nor could I just up and do an 80 mile (had to look up the event and mileage) event at the last minute (I'm an on-call hospital OR worker). I sent back a response about not doing a "job interview" (I was volunteering!) just to ride on that individual's, as yet, non-existent team. I'm now going a different "route" regarding that event, but that's a different story. What's up? Am I wrong to volunteer my help without giving my entire background for what is essentially a meaningless unsanctioned fun ride? Should I have assumed that I needed to have specific experience (I actually do, just not event oriented)? Did the fact that I made it known that this wasn't my forte automatically either exclude me and/or necessitate a traceable result from another event just to prove I can ride farther than the event I was volunteering for? I would have merely said to someone trying to help that I was looking for a more experienced rider, but I'd still be happy to take you on if I couldn't fill out a team so that I could still enter the event as it appeared in my "will only need..." post. I certainly would have thanked someone for offering whether or not I took them on as a team member.
Thanks for any comments; I will not feel insulted if you put me down regarding my naivety for this type of situation. Just curious what I did wrong and/or right.
Take care,
Jesper
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