My first ride out in a group.

[Stevec047]

The past month has been great for the numbers of 1st I have achieved. Firstly the 50k target was hit not once but twice, then today I took the rather daunting choice to join up with a group of guys for a social ride.

Now the reason I say daunting is my average speed is hovering around the 10mph mark and hills even though I now continue to power up then I do tend to be overtaken by snails and by the time I am up them I have a layer of moss attached to the north facing part of the bike.

Anyway with this in the back of my mind I was upfront and honest with the guys and said that I will struggle to which they all said that it wasn't a problem and they would make sure I wasn't dropped which they kept to and when I lost sight of the 5 others I knew that I would end up catching up with one of them further up the road or the whole group at a junction.

No egos and no I am better than you mentality just a great group of riders who openly welcomed a new guy.

The best part about the whole experience is the fact that I pushed my average up to just under 11mph and I can honestly say that was with the encouragement and being in a group that helped.

Needless to say I shall now be joining in with the rides on a regular basis and look forward to the day I am in the middle of the group and not the tail end.

 

[Tiny01]

Nice read & well done , what group did you join ?

I've been riding solo for a month or so now & really enjoying it but part of me says to try & join / find a group to join & ride with .

 

[Stevec047]

Nice read & well done , what group did you join ?

I've been riding solo for a month or so now & really enjoying it but part of me says to try & join / find a group to join & ride with .

There is a lbs in the town down the road and they run regular roadie ride outs a long with MB rides it just so happened I had stopped to grab a coffee before I started out on my full ride and one of the guys asked if I would like to tag along.

I don't think a club will be for me but a social ride with no hidden tour de france wanna bes is perfect. Definatly recomend seeing what's around your area.

 

[Specialeyes]

Was it Yellow Jersey Cycles' ride from Billericay? I've always quite liked the look of that one

 

[Stevec047]

Was it Yellow Jersey Cycles' ride from Billericay? I've always quite liked the look of that one

No it was Lobbs in halstead just a group of local guys who use the lbs on a regular basis.

 

[RoubaixCube]

I think the CC SLR was my first ever proper group ride though just thinking about it, wasnt the London Skyride a massive group ride of sorts? I participated in the last one in back in 2009 i think, pitty there hasnt been another one since.

Anyhow, my first social ride with the CC posse was a very positive experience. just a random group of people who love to get out there on a sunday and have a little peddle around.

 

[raleighnut]

 

[screenman]

There is a lbs in the town down the road and they run regular roadie ride outs a long with MB rides it just so happened I had stopped to grab a coffee before I started out on my full ride and one of the guys asked if I would like to tag along.

I don't think a club will be for me but a social ride with no hidden tour de france wanna bes is perfect. Definatly recomend seeing what's around your area.

What makes you think a club may not be for you?

 

[Montydog]

enjoy

 

[Fab Foodie]

The past month has been great for the numbers of 1st I have achieved. Firstly the 50k target was hit not once but twice, then today I took the rather daunting choice to join up with a group of guys for a social ride.

Now the reason I say daunting is my average speed is hovering around the 10mph mark and hills even though I now continue to power up then I do tend to be overtaken by snails and by the time I am up them I have a layer of moss attached to the north facing part of the bike.

Anyway with this in the back of my mind I was upfront and honest with the guys and said that I will struggle to which they all said that it wasn't a problem and they would make sure I wasn't dropped which they kept to and when I lost sight of the 5 others I knew that I would end up catching up with one of them further up the road or the whole group at a junction.

No egos and no I am better than you mentality just a great group of riders who openly welcomed a new guy.

The best part about the whole experience is the fact that I pushed my average up to just under 11mph and I can honestly say that was with the encouragement and being in a group that helped.

Needless to say I shall now be joining in with the rides on a regular basis and look forward to the day I am in the middle of the group and not the tail end.

Chapeau!

That's exactly how it should be if a non-sporting club/group. As you've found out, you find yourself going further and faster when you ride with others.
We have a 'Mellow Cruisers' group for beginners and the FSOTM ride for those looking to go further, but the aim is on bonhomie rather than Strava segments. Sounds like you've met a good bunch!

 

[Fab Foodie]

I don't think a club will be for me but a social ride with no hidden tour de france wanna bes is perfect. Definatly recomend seeing what's around your area.

I understand your sentiment ... but the times they are a changing.
Firstly there are always CTC rides which are more leisurely, but due to timings etc might not be for everyone.

So here's my suggestion. Start a group or look at whether the group you have joined are interested in expanding what they do to others? This will of course depend on the altruism of those involved. Maybe the bike shop will support you?
So you could form 'Chelmsford Freewheeling'. Affiliate yourself with the CTC for club insurance, get a facebook page and start something. Numbers are not important, just creating something for like minded souls.
If you build it, they will come.
We did the same in Abindon to create Freewheeling and it's grown like topsy. We have a lot who just come along for the ride week in week out. We have others that start on a Halfords BSO and progress to CF race bikes and Strava. Others have done their first 50 and 100 milers with the support of others. It's fun and very rewarding.
Now, I need to think about Sunday mornings mellow 35 miler with cake stop!

 

[RegG]

Well done! I feel the same as you - I would not be quick enough and would end up being left behind. But your experience and posting has given me the incentive to see if I can find a similar group of riders here in Nottingham. I often see the larger groups of TDF wanna-be's and they are definitely to fast for me!
If anyone knows of a suitably relaxed group in the Nottingham area I would be pleased to hear about them.

 

[Fab Foodie]

@Stevec047 and @RegG here you go, this is how we formed a group for like minded non-sporting cyclists. We have fast guys, but we have a very strong mellow and medium participation too. There's definitely a market for something that isn't all team-kit lycra and gel bars. I see many other groups like ours out in Oxfordshire of a Sunday.
https://www.facebook.com/abingdonfreewheeling/

We all meet-up at the Pub (clubhouse - they sponsor us) on a Thursday evening for beer and free chip butties, fast and slow alike, all cyclists.

 

[cm2mackem]

Was it Yellow Jersey Cycles' ride from Billericay? I've always quite liked the look of that one

Good lot at yellow jersey, they only do abot 30 miles @ 15mph, no dropping and if Dan Patten is ridingg you can "borrow" his Wiggins/Sky bottles,

 

[Winnershsaint]

Decided to take the plunge a few weeks ago with LBS, which is not particularly local to me, but a good bunch. Rides operate on no-one left behind 14-16 mph around north Hampshire/ Berkshire. Thoroughly enjoyable. Best spin off was being with some of the the group on the Tour of Berkshire recently. Mixed group, no-one left, helped me complete the Epic rather than Classic which I'd have have probably baled on to if I hadn't been with them.