Cycling in Melbourne Australia
Tenax Ride 2
Hi team.
As promised, we’re starting a regular group ride. I’ve dubbed it the ‘Tenax’ ride. Might be a silly name but it’s memorable.
An ‘Audax’ ride is a ride over extreme distance where everyone must finish within the set time frame. Audax is latin for brave (or bold).
In contrast, Tenax is latin for holding fast (or staying steady), and so that more or less describes the tone of this ride. We’re aiming for steady speed over a moderate distance. This ride is modelled strongly on the Cobwebs ride in Adelaide but it's only just getting started here so come along and be one of the founding members! The emphasis is on fun, socially athletic riding that allows people to extend their skills and fitness in a friendly and supportive environment. All are welcome.
Leaving Cafe Zest (55 Beach Street, Port Melbourne) at 7.30 on Saturday morning, this ride heads first to the Beach Street / Princes Street roundabout, turns around, proceeds the complete the length of Beach Road (turning around at Mordialloc), then back to Cafe Zest for coffee and a catch up afterwards. The total distance is just a smidge under 60 kilometres.
What sets this ride apart is that it is broken into several clearly defined speed groups to cater for all levels of rider, but it starts and finishes in the same place so that friends can come together, ride at their own level and then regroup afterwards for a coffee.
The standard speed groups are 25 kilometres per hour average, 28 kph, 30 kph, 32 kph, 34 kph and 'fast'. Groups may or may not exist on the day depending on the number of riders and their speed preferences.
Apart from the 'fast' group, all speed groups must aim for that precise average speed, although the speed at each point may be higher or lower depending on conditions such as wind. For this reason, riders are encouraged to have a speedo on their bike. Riders are also strongly encouraged to become Bicycle Network Victoria members to take advantage of the third-party insurance offered through the membership, for the protection of yourselves and other riders.
First time riders (and less experienced riders) should start with the 25 kph or 28 kph speed groups to get used to riding in a bunch and to introduce yourself to the ride.
All you need is a roadworthy bike with one or preferable two bottle cages (with bottles!). Most will be riding road bikes but it is by no means necessary.
If you'd like to put your hand up to lead a speed group, that'd be great too. Just contact one of the admins for the event. Also, feel free to email me for more information.
This is our first official Tenax Ride. This ride will be run on the first Saturday of every month so if you can't make it this time, the next isn't far away!
We have a Facebook group: Tenax.
Looking forward to seeing you on the Ride.
Regards,
Alexander Hender
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Heather on -
Hey Alexander, how come you've listed this in Advocacy News instead of General Discussion? Better to move it because I don't think too many people check Advocacy .... maybe you'll get more interest, and that would be great :)
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Permalink Reply by Alexander Langman Hender on -
Thanks, mate! I'll move it now :-)
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Permalink Reply by Tim on -
Bravo with this one, and you have a name for the team, and as might say, very creative to, that's a awesome ride and might see you there one sat, which does give me another option as I do ride with a Saturday group, will check the FB out to on this one.
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Permalink Reply by Alexander Langman Hender on
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Cheers, Tim. We're just getting it off the ground so the more the merrier! Love to see you out there.
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Permalink Reply by Alexander Langman Hender on
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Sounds great mate! Looking forward to seeing you there.
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Permalink Reply by Alexander Langman Hender on
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This weekend!
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Permalink Reply by Bronwyn Waters on -
Is there a Tenax ride this Saturday? Hope to see you there.
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Permalink Reply by Alexander Langman Hender on
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Sure is! I'll see you there :D
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Permalink Reply by Alexander Langman Hender on
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Thanks for coming out with us, Bronwyn! I hope you were sitting comfortably on that beautiful new bike. You missed some good muffins at the cafe but hopefully next time. Cheers. Alex
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Permalink Reply by Bronwyn Waters on
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Thanks Alex
Had a great time - i think the ride was just long enough too with new seat but next time should be able to do the distance.
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