Bunch Ride Finder

Bunch Ride Finder were lucky enough to have a chat with RaphaCondor Team member Ben Greenwood.

Q: What Bunch Rides do you frequent?
When I’m in Lancaster I’ll go out on the Lune RCC club ride. When I’m in Manchester I do a group ride with the other local pros including Geraint Thomas, Ed Clancy, Ben Swift, Rob Hayles and Rob Partridge. (We’ll locate those rides and add them to the site – BunchRideFinder)

Q: What’s your favourite bunch ride?
The bunch rides round Doncaster are really good. Lots of good pros from Yorkshire go out on them as well as lots of local guys. It can be harder than a race sometimes.

Q: What annoys you about riding in the bunch with the average punter?
People who don’t ride at a consistent speed, always speeding up then slowing down. Riders who try to overtake on a descent even when you’re going round the corners fast, I know my limits, sometimes the average punters don’t know theirs.

Q: When in training do you use bunch rides as part of your training schedule?
Yes, I like to ride in a bunch, especialy in the winter when I need to do long rides without any structure. I enjoy the social side of the ride and it makes 5 hours go much quicker.

Q: When someone punchers in a bunch ride – what’s your thoughts on the time limit to change a tyre 3mins? 5 mins?
I wouldn’t have a time limit. The quicker it gets done the quicker you can leave, so if they’re struggling then help out. You should never leave someone who’s punctured. If it’s taking more than 5 mins though. you’re doing something wrong.

Q: What are you pet hates with bunch rides?

Riders who start out as if it’s a race then blow halfway through meaning you have to keep waiting for them. There’s no prizes in a bunch ride so trying to show off and impress everyone isn’t a good idea. Particually if you can’t maintain the silly pace you’re setting anyway.

Q: When you were in Australia, did you get a chance to get out for a ride with any local bunches?
Not really. We went out for a ride the day before the Sun Tour with the Garmin and Jelly Belly teams down Beach Road in St Kilda. I couldn’t believe how many riders and groups there were on a Saturday morning. We caught quite a few guys who joined in giving them a chance to ride next to Bradley Wiggins.

Q: After crashing out of the Sun Tour, how are your going? Are you back on the bike?
When I crashed I landed face first. Luckily the damage to my face has healed quickly. I also bruised my hip pretty badly and it’s now 2 weeks after the crash and I’m still struggling. I haven’t ridden yet but I hope to do some easy riding within a week or so.

Q: What are your goals for  2010 season?
My biggest goal is to enjoy myself. Things haven’t gone too well for me over the last couple of years with so many injuries so I want a year without any misfortune so I can do what I enjoy most which is riding my bike fast. A win in the British National Champs would be nice though as it’s in my home county of Lancashire in 2010.

Q: What where your thoughts on the Aussie cycling Scene?
From what I saw on Beach Road, cycling in Australia, particually Melbourne is going strong. Rapha has just launched in Australia and from what I’ve seen they are going to have alot of success. The race scene seems pretty good, the Aussie domestic teams are certainly strong. The Tour of Tasmania was harder than any UK domestic race I’ve done and there’s so many talented youngsters. Richard Lang is certainly a rider to watch out for. We had an Aussie in Rapha Condor this year, Darren Lapthorne, and he made such a good impression we’ve got at least 3 Aussies for next year.

Q: What’s the plans for the off season?
After my crash I’ve been forced into a break and I’m going to Tenerife in the Canary Islands for a holiday in November so I’ll start riding again after that. I will mostly concentrate on endurance before we have our team training camps in January and February.

A big thanks to Ben for taking the time to talk with us – we’ll buy you a Schooner next time your down Under!

Check out Ben’s Website for even more behind the scene news.
Check out the RaphaCondor Team website -  probably the coolest team kit in the peloton?
Images Copyright CyclingTips – Thanks guys.