Mudguards in group rides
Discussion
I did a group ride with a new club on Sunday, and in our group of 10 I was the only one with full mudguards and there was just one other with clip ons. Everyone else was on a full lightweight (usually carbon) summer bike with (what looked like) summer tyres.
The weather was ok to start with but by mid ride it was pissing it down and obviously the roads were already filthy. By the end I literally looked like I had been rolling in mud and completeley soaked through including shoes with were beneath thick neoprene overshoes. It was also getting really tiring being contantly sprayed in the face struggling to see where I was going by the end. The funny thing was no one ever mentioned maybe mudguards would be a good idea and just seemed like it was all normal!
Apparently said club have a no helmet- no ride policy. Maybe a no mudguard- no ride would be a better idea at this time of year...
The weather was ok to start with but by mid ride it was pissing it down and obviously the roads were already filthy. By the end I literally looked like I had been rolling in mud and completeley soaked through including shoes with were beneath thick neoprene overshoes. It was also getting really tiring being contantly sprayed in the face struggling to see where I was going by the end. The funny thing was no one ever mentioned maybe mudguards would be a good idea and just seemed like it was all normal!
Apparently said club have a no helmet- no ride policy. Maybe a no mudguard- no ride would be a better idea at this time of year...
The club I ride with insist on running mudguards and mud flaps from 1st October through to 31st March of the following year and this is clearly stated in the club rule book. If anyone turns up with no guards at all they will promptly let you know that they are not happy and they will either turn you away or make you ride at the back of the slow group, you will not be allowed to ride with the fast group as the fast group rotates the lead every two minutes.
Andy OH said:
The club I ride with insist on running mudguards and mud flaps from 1st October through to 31st March of the following year and this is clearly stated in the club rule book. If anyone turns up with no guards at all they will promptly let you know that they are not happy and they will either turn you away or make you ride at the back of the slow group, you will not be allowed to ride with the fast group as the fast group rotates the lead every two minutes.
yep, shame all clubs dont do the same.
te regardless.It sounds like there are some pretty formal clubs out there.
I wasn't expecting that sort of thing (I do have a road-bike and have done a few Sportives, but I've never been a club member, preferring to stick with riding my MTB offroad with mates), but suppose rules like that do make sense and benefit everybody.
I would probably just back off the guy in front to avoid the spray... or would you lose the slipstream benefits and be in breach of some rule about splitting the pack?
Maybe remove your own mudguards to dish out some of what you've been receiving and protect yourself with a full-face lid and a pair of goggles!!
I wasn't expecting that sort of thing (I do have a road-bike and have done a few Sportives, but I've never been a club member, preferring to stick with riding my MTB offroad with mates), but suppose rules like that do make sense and benefit everybody.
I would probably just back off the guy in front to avoid the spray... or would you lose the slipstream benefits and be in breach of some rule about splitting the pack?
Maybe remove your own mudguards to dish out some of what you've been receiving and protect yourself with a full-face lid and a pair of goggles!!
Smartboy said:
It sounds like there are some pretty formal clubs out there.
I wasn't expecting that sort of thing (I do have a road-bike and have done a few Sportives, but I've never been a club member, preferring to stick with riding my MTB offroad with mates), but suppose rules like that do make sense and benefit everybody.
I would probably just back off the guy in front to avoid the spray... or would you lose the slipstream benefits and be in breach of some rule about splitting the pack?
Maybe remove your own mudguards to dish out some of what you've been receiving and protect yourself with a full-face lid and a pair of goggles!!
If you drop back you lose the tow yourself and, if the guy next you doesn't do likewise, pretty soon all group discipline is shot.I wasn't expecting that sort of thing (I do have a road-bike and have done a few Sportives, but I've never been a club member, preferring to stick with riding my MTB offroad with mates), but suppose rules like that do make sense and benefit everybody.
I would probably just back off the guy in front to avoid the spray... or would you lose the slipstream benefits and be in breach of some rule about splitting the pack?
Maybe remove your own mudguards to dish out some of what you've been receiving and protect yourself with a full-face lid and a pair of goggles!!
http://www.buddyflaps.com/
I'm using these. The massive flap at the front does wonders for keeping the drivetrain clean. Usually, I'd switch to fixed this time of year, but fitting these has meant everything still looks pretty good when I give my winter bike a clean at the weekend.
I'm using these. The massive flap at the front does wonders for keeping the drivetrain clean. Usually, I'd switch to fixed this time of year, but fitting these has meant everything still looks pretty good when I give my winter bike a clean at the weekend.
This time of year riding with full guards and flaps is a no brainer. I wouldn't want to ride behind someone with no rear flap, so why would I see it as reasonable to do it to someone else
In my group, it's no flaps, then get told to f-off home or go ride on your own
I understand people care about spoiling the look of their bikes, but it's winter bikes time of year anyway, so riding your summer race bike is a silly idea in the first place
In my group, it's no flaps, then get told to f-off home or go ride on your own
I understand people care about spoiling the look of their bikes, but it's winter bikes time of year anyway, so riding your summer race bike is a silly idea in the first place
DrMekon said:
http://www.buddyflaps.com/
I'm using these. The massive flap at the front does wonders for keeping the drivetrain clean. Usually, I'd switch to fixed this time of year, but fitting these has meant everything still looks pretty good when I give my winter bike a clean at the weekend.
They look good. Are they based in the us I guess?I'm using these. The massive flap at the front does wonders for keeping the drivetrain clean. Usually, I'd switch to fixed this time of year, but fitting these has meant everything still looks pretty good when I give my winter bike a clean at the weekend.
Did have something similar on my bike last year made out of 5mm rubber sheet but stupidly chucked them out when I changed guards.
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