| Activity Leaders | Bicycling Guidelines |
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General Information
Remember to bring your current Columbus Outdoor Pursuits activity card to all trips and events. Membership applications are in the newsletter and online or may be obtained from the COP office by calling 614/442-7901, or via email, office (AT) outdoor-pursuits.org.
If you have any questions about the Columbus Outdoor Pursuits trip program, contact the appropriate Activity Leader. If you have questions about a particular trip, call the leader listed with the trip. To maintain the high quality of all organization trips, you are encouraged to submit comments or suggestions, to the appropriate leader and participate in our numerous schools.
Need to renew? Membership renewal notices for Columbus Outdoor Pursuits will be sent by the office. If you want to be a member of Columbus Outdoor Pursuits but your membership has expired and you haven't received a renewal notice, please fill out the membership application on the inside back cover of the newsletter and send it with a check made payable to Columbus Outdoor Pursuits.
Moving? If you move, your newsletter
will not follow you. Please send your new address to:
Columbus Outdoor Pursuits,
1525 Bethel Rd Ste 100,
Columbus OH 43220-2054
| Backpacking | Kim Hiser | 740 / 666-1509 | backpacking (AT) outdoor-pursuits.org |
| Bicycling | Roy Burnham | 614 / 343-3704 | bicycling (AT) outdoor-pursuits.org |
| Boating | Walt Taylor | 614 / 351-3413 | boating (AT) outdoor-pursuits.org |
| Caving | Sheila Sands | 937 / 644-9152 | caving (AT) outdoor-pursuits.org |
| Hiking | Pat Smith | 614 / 443-5226 | hiking (AT) outdoor-pursuits.org |
| Rock Climbing | Karen Reinhart | 614 / 288-9658 | climbing (AT) outdoor-pursuits.org |
| Winter Activities | Glenn Beachy | 614 / 268-4904 | winter (AT) outdoor-pursuits.org |
| TOSRV | Charles H. Pace | 614 / 461-6648 | director (AT) tosrv.org |
| GOBA | Julie Van Winkle | 614 / 273-0811 | goba (AT) outdoor-pursuits.org |
| XOBA | Walt Williams | 330 / 283-8657 | xoba (AT) outdoor-pursuits.org |
Please review these guidelines if you are new to COP rides. By choosing the correct pace and arriving prepared, you will help ensure our rides are as safe and fun as possible for everyone.
SAFETY: A CPSC, ASTM, or SNELL approved helmet is required on all COP rides. Other recommended safety items include a rear-view mirror, a rear flasher, and bright, visible clothing. Cyclists under age 18 must have written permission and the liability waiver release signed by a parent or guardian. For safety reasons, children two and under are not permitted on COP rides. Please respect the laws of the road and rights of other road users.
PACE: All COP bicycle tours are "open" paced events, with maps and road markers provided; however, the tour organizer does not specifically accompany the riders. COP day rides have designated leader(s) at one or more paces, and only maps are provided. The ride leader will accompany the group in the manner that best supports the entire group, not an individual rider. COP highly recommends that you contact the ride leader if you have any questions about the ride/tour.
Pace classes are intended to give a rough idea of the common "riding" speed of the group, rather than the average speed. Completing a century ride (100) miles in 5 hours indicates a mathematical average of 20 mph, but the common riding speed to required to complete this ride in 5 hours can easily be in the mid-20s. Variables such as wind, hills and time off the bike can greatly detract from an average, as it is a time-based figure. The speeds listed below refer to common "riding" speeds.
A 19-23 MPH: our fastest pace. Licensed racers frequently attend these rides, which might be listed as A+ rides in this schedule. Be prepared to maintain this pace over 30-50 miles on a weeknight ride, and 60-100 on a weekends. Stops typically are few and short. Average speeds can be over 20 mph.
B 16-19 MPH: a fast recreational clip. The ride distances will be somewhat lower than the "A" group, and the stops can be longer and more frequent. Opportunities for regrouping will be more frequent.
C 13-16 MPH: an enthusiastic pace. Many of our longer-distance riders ride in this pace range. The mood will be less competitive and more social. Groups will tend to stay together more, but the riding will still be consistent. The routes often avoid the hilliest options.
D 10-13 MPH: a very social pace. Riders can be experienced, or fairly new, but are usually familiar with the basics of cycling on the open road and in groups. Distances are modest, and often a meal stop or sight-seeing is involved.
NR: no designated speed. These rides are specifically oriented around introducing new riders to the sport. The pace will be dictated by those who attend, and often these rides are intended as an introduction to cycling. NR rides can use bike paths or roadways.
DOWR: Depending On Weather and Riders, usually for winter rides. This note in any ride listing indicates an "open" condition, and will usually be included with a pace class. The leader may choose to leave the pace, distance and destination to be decided by the group, so maps may not be included for these impromptu rides.
You must wear a helmet on all COP rides.