Hi Thomas
Apologies for the shorthand on the original posting - I'd assumed (wrongly) we'd settled into a pool of "regulars" for these rides!
Departure is from Exhibition Square (in front of the Art Gallery). We'll normally sort into two or three groups slightly vaguely labelled "steadier" to "brisker". Even at the steadier end these are very much training rides - they're aimed at people who are intending racing, and the split into groups is simply to cope with variations in ability ("brisker" is 2nd/3rd cats or above, "steadier" generally 4th cats).
The route will be as helpfully posted a while back by AndyT -
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/431639176 - just under 60 miles so around 3hrs. I've no idea of your speed/ability so I'll simply suggest (as I do to all newcomers) making sure you know where the route goes and how to get home if you do find yourself off the back - at this stage in the winter the group will stop if someone has a puncture/mechanical but not if anyone simply disappears out the back!
See you on Saturday - I'm the old bloke on the muddy Cervelo.