First Group Ride in the Morning GULP!

[DEFENDER01]

Is going faster "improving"?

Slow and steady wins the race well thats my theory.

 

[mjr]

Slow and steady wins the race well thats my theory.

Who's racing? Our ride today took a left turn into a farmyard to look at a dragon

 

[Pale Rider]

Well I managed to get out with them in the end. Those guys said a real serious pace! It was a similar route to the kind I would normally ride but I really have to push myself in order to even trying keep up - which I guess can only make me a better cyclist in the end!

Only a 50 miler but I'm mashed!

They had to wait for me at the top of quite a few hills, and by the end of it even a few slight gradients. I was really worried that they were going to get really miffed but they seem genuine and they said it wasn't an issue and have told me to make sure that I keep writing with them.

The whole thing has made me realise that when I'm out on my own I really do take a more leisurely pace! Hopefully keep riding with them to keep the miles app or the winter. Cheers for the support everybody

They wouldn't be the first roadie group to test the new guy, so you might find the next ride is at a more relaxed pace.

Unless they are giving some other poor sap the same treatment.

 

[screenman]

Who's racing? Our ride today took a left turn into a farmyard to look at a dragon

I take it that is what you chose to do.

 

[cyberknight]

Well I managed to get out with them in the end. Those guys said a real serious pace! It was a similar route to the kind I would normally ride but I really have to push myself in order to even trying keep up - which I guess can only make me a better cyclist in the end!

Only a 50 miler but I'm mashed!

They had to wait for me at the top of quite a few hills, and by the end of it even a few slight gradients. I was really worried that they were going to get really miffed but they seem genuine and they said it wasn't an issue and have told me to make sure that I keep writing with them.

The whole thing has made me realise that when I'm out on my own I really do take a more leisurely pace! Hopefully keep riding with them to keep the miles app or the winter. Cheers for the support everybody

Well done !
More than me today, went up to Ashbourne and only did 3.5 miles to Tissington with the family at a pace i could walk it ( literally ) and then we had to stop for sanwhiches and then 3.5 miles back .We then came home and because we had been out swmbo decided it was a pub carvery for tea so no ride after unless i wanted to barf plus dealing with neighbours whos kids had been in our back garden whilst we were out pinching some of my kids outdoor toys .

 

[DCLane]

Well done. We had my club's 120-mile ride with about 100 riders including local clubs/race teams. That was ... erm ... interesting to marshal

 

[Gert Lush]

How did you find the riding in a group?

 

[ISAAC_J]

Well I managed to get out with them in the end. Those guys said a real serious pace! It was a similar route to the kind I would normally ride but I really have to push myself in order to even trying keep up - which I guess can only make me a better cyclist in the end!

Only a 50 miler but I'm mashed!

They had to wait for me at the top of quite a few hills, and by the end of it even a few slight gradients. I was really worried that they were going to get really miffed but they seem genuine and they said it wasn't an issue and have told me to make sure that I keep writing with them.

The whole thing has made me realise that when I'm out on my own I really do take a more leisurely pace! Hopefully keep riding with them to keep the miles app or the winter. Cheers for the support everybody

Congrats! Job well done.

 

[Soltydog]

Well done bud. I'm sure after a few rides you'll be keeping up with the pace much easier & you'll probably find yourself riding at a similar speed when you are out on your own

 

[mwktar]

How did you find the riding in a group?

Hard work! But I think they tend to ride together and regoup when necessary, think they have very few weaker riders! As for how riding in a group worked, they were really supportive and showed me the ropes - even kept me at the back (when i could keep up!)

Congrats! Job well done.

Cheers!

Well done bud. I'm sure after a few rides you'll be keeping up with the pace much easier & you'll probably find yourself riding at a similar speed when you are out on your own

I hope so - can't see how I wont improve/get faster - I think when i'm out on my own I may start really pushing instead of my usual "cruising" - unless its a relaxed ride

 

[DCLane]

they were really supportive and showed me the ropes - even kept me at the back (when i could keep up!)

Just remember that if you're at the back of a group you will tend to work harder than those nearer the front. At the back you get concertina'd so end up using more effort going faster/slower than those at the front.

If you're in the front third it tends to be smoother and easier.

 

[mjr]

If you're in the front third it tends to be smoother and easier.

It surprises me that this is also true in relaxed non paceline groups. On the front, you can ride at your chosen speed and get the best view of turns so you can judge your entry between motorists and so on and the only reason to slow is if the group starts to split when it doesn't need to (on major roads, splitting can be useful to reduce crap overtaking). On the back, there are often junctions where motorists come into view while the group is crossing, there are motorists who botch overtakes and force their way into the middle and if anyone in front leaves a gap then you're always in the bit that will have to catch up eventually. In pace line groups, it's worse because aerodynamics and drafting matter and make closing gaps harder... to close a gap, the back group has to go faster than the leaders :-/

 

[Sittingduck]

I hope so - can't see how I wont improve/get faster - I think when i'm out on my own I may start really pushing instead of my usual "cruising" - unless its a relaxed ride

Sounds like you did well. It will get easier, especially if you try go a bit harder on solo rides. I would stay conservative in the group and be predicatable. If they can see you're struggling a bit but sticking with it and happy to learn the ropes they will help out. The better riders love that stuff...

 

[mjr]

I take it that is what you chose to do.

Well yes, but why would you ride past a sign saying "<< DRAGON" and not go look?