Ha only in my first year of riding
And i know i am not as fit as the ride leader seen as he is a 19 min 10m tt man
Do they have a slower group or tag along untill you can keep up , this year i started riding with the fast group whp average the above speed for 50-60 miles and i was getting to maybe 10 miles from home before i got dropped after years of riding with the slower group averageing 17 -18 mph over the same distance.
Of course thats all gone tits up in the last few months what with new kitchen, mini ck 1 in hospital and x mas so im back with the medium group next year for a bit .
On a club run that i am struggling to keep up with i would have a good breakfast porridge etc , cake stop and maybe carry nibbles like kellogs elenses or maybe a gel if i start to flag at the end as i got some high 5 race packs cheap and i need to use them up.
ON a medium pace run same breakfast as normal but only the cake stop with no extras.
For sportive rides i would be looking at a nibble every half an hour or so to keep on top of energy levels , so half an energy bat / nibble of choice and keep on top of your hydration .