Nervous about my first group ride

[hgrill02]

Hi Ladies!!

Ok I need a little advise and support for my first group ride. I have been riding every day around my little gated neighborhood and ofcourse on the trainer. To start training for the MS150 I am going to start riding with my local bike shop here in Katy, TX (outside of Houston) Saturday. They are so supportive and informative it is not even funny...But I am still a little nervous! I have nightmares about this every night, what If I fall and get run over by a car! Then all the rules I'm not use to, Car up, car back, don't wobble, don't look behind me, other bikes getting too close to me, keeping up...was anyone else nervous the first time???

Heather

[MyLitespeed]

I was very nervous the first time in a group. I wasn't sure I would be able to keep up with them and not knowing anyone really made it hard. Luckily they handed out route slips for everyone, but I managed to keep up with the group and luckily I picked a ride that was near my regular riding area, so if I did get lost or dropped I could make my way back home. It was really nervous having all the other bikes around me that close, but I managed to do ok and have a good time. Don't worry to much about it, just go out and have some fun. Report back and let us know how you did.

[TsPoet]

The first time I rode with a group, I didn't know the signs and sayings. We were riding on a narrow (gulf-cart/multi-use) trail and every time someone would yell "bike up" everyone got in a line - so I thought that 'bike up' meant 'line up on your bikes'. I was so intent on fitting in, I didn't even think about the logic of my conclusion. Anyway - after a few "bike ups" someone yelled "dog up", I figured that must mean get in 2 lines :o
My local group was very supportive, yours sounds great. You won't have any trouble.
My first ride with a group was 35 miles, I had stupidly changed out my shoes right before and the new shoes resulted in knee pain. The last 10 miles of the ride, 2 of them club members hung out with me and encouraged me and talked about the scenery or whatever, never leaving me alone on the road. At all times on the road, I had at least two experienced riders hanging around me.
(I found out later that one of the men practically coasting up hill and being so encouraging was Bill Painter - and he'd just walked up Mt. Rainier at 80 years of age - he's since broken his own record
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002397548_climbers23e.html )

[mimitabby]

Tell whoever is in charge of the ride that this is your first. He/she will either take you under their wing or hand you off to someone who can do that.

If that doesn't happen, just follow people and see what they do.
You don't always have to be the one who says "car back" so just be alert
and have fun!

[ace]

Hiya,

I started riding with the easy ride of my local club last June. I swear, it took me about a year to work up the guts to go on my first club ride. I sort of had this weird feeling everyone would make fun of me because I'm slow, ride a hybrid, etc. Fast forward to now...I'm totally addicted to group rides. It's like anything else in life, you just have to work through your fear of being dumb/incompetent, and you'll undoubtedly find some really supportive riders who were also beginners once!

Don't be afraid to ask questions or for advice from your fellow riders, someone's always going to help you out.

Have a really, really good time and report back.

-Amy

[RoadRaven]

Hi there Heather
The gals here have given you some good starting points for starting to ride in groups.
Just want to emphasis again what has already been said: let the others know this is your first bunch ride.
There will be someone there who will give you tips, encourage you and if you drop back will come back with you and support you back to the group or sit at the back of the bunch with you.
The only way to really know is to have a go, just have a go and be open to suggestions and opinions Come back and talk to us about how you found it - we'll be interested to talk with you about it.

[DrBadger]

Hey Heather-
What bike shop are you going to ride with? I was in Houston over the summer and rode with 2 bike shops out in Katy, Sun and Ski, and ACME. Both were great and had a wide variety of levels of riders. I was terrified before I went to my first ride as I didn't know the bike shop or any of the people, and it was my first official group ride sponsored by a shop (had ridden with some women from the boards, but was nervous the first time for that too!) Don't worry too much about the rules and pack stuff. As long as you let people know that it is you first group ride they will teach you what you need to know. And also see if someone will help you start to learn how to draft. I started learning that for the first time this summer, and in those Texas winds it is great, but I am still learning and not entirely comfortable having someone draft off of me.

Good luck, have fun, and let us know how it goes!

Ellen

[hgrill02]

Hey Heather-
What bike shop are you going to ride with? I

Hi everyone, thanks for your support!! You are all right I just need to get over my fear and go for it. :o I will definately report back as soon as I get home! Thank you all !!

Oh by the way Ellen, it is ACME!

Heather

[Toni]

Bike Barn is having a ladies only ride on Sunday morning out at Bear Creek Park (I think that is near you??):

Per the Bike Barn web page:

"Date: Sunday, January 14th

Start: Bear Creek Park.

Directions to the Start from Houston: Bear Creek Park is located west of Eldridge Parkway between Patterson Road and Clay Road. Use the Clay Road entrance to Bear Creek and look for the Bike Barn tent.

Distances: You can ride from 14-42 miles and anything in between. Easy to moderate pace - there's a 7 mile loop on the park roads with very little car traffic.

Departure: 8:00am

All ladies are welcome - especially beginners! Let's meet at Bear Creek Park and ride!!! This is a great opportunity for you to develop your bike handling skills and get comfortable riding in a group. As always, we will have a great time and look forward to helping you refine your bike skills."




...to register go to:

http://bikebarn.com/page.cfm?pageId=737

[missymaya]

Hey there,
I remember when I first started my group riding that I was very nervous about riding with them but the group was really accepting and very encouraging. Just let them know that you're new and that this is your first ride. Also, bring a map with you just in case you get seperated for some reason. I ride with a group that has beginner group rides, where someone with experience leads a group of beginners. Maybe your group ride will have something like that as well. Good luck and remember, always have fun!

[SouthernBelle]

I'm anxious to hear how the ride went!

[LadyinWhite]

I'm VERY nervous about the idea of group rides. I joined a bike club, ordered a club jersey, went to the christmas party and STILL haven't joined them on a ride.

The only time I've ever crashed on the bike was during an impromptu group ride. (I'm STILL in physical therapy)

I signed up for the Tour de Cure w/ the club. Sooooo.. I know I'm going to have to ride with them eventually. The thought of it puts my stomach in knots.

[kerrybelle]

I'm VERY nervous about the idea of group rides. I joined a bike club, ordered a club jersey, went to the christmas party and STILL haven't joined them on a ride.

The only time I've ever crashed on the bike was during an impromptu group ride. (I'm STILL in physical therapy)

I signed up for the Tour de Cure w/ the club. Sooooo.. I know I'm going to have to ride with them eventually. The thought of it puts my stomach in knots.


LW,

Which club did you join? I live near Toms River and belong to the East Coast Bicycle Club. You live further north and I don't think this is the club you joined.
Maybe we can do a ride together when the weather warms up. Good luck in the training.

Kerry

[LadyinWhite]

LW,

Which club did you join? I live near Toms River and belong to the East Coast Bicycle Club. You live further north and I don't think this is the club you joined.
Maybe we can do a ride together when the weather warms up. Good luck in the training.

Kerry

hey neighbor! I joined Jersey Shore Touring Society. I live in Mon. County, just a nice easy ride to the seabright bridge. I would love to go for a ride with you. Maybe you can help me get over my self consciousness of riding with someone else ;) I've been really wanting to get down to the pine barrens to ride, maybe that would work? PM me or Yahoo IM me and we can stay in touch.

[Aint Doody]

One thing I would like to advise you of. On my first group ride when we stopped, I was out in the road. One person was rude to me and yelled to get out of the road. Others were nicer. But that was something that I didn't really think about at first. Maybe you already know that, but lots of our new riders make the same mistake. I don't yell at them!

[hgrill02]

Hi everyone, after weeks of not making oit out to my winter rust rides I finally rode this morning. It was a nice 36 degrees when we started out but it finally warmed up to about 45 which was actually nice. We rode for 30 miles and I was so thankfull for the help of the guys on the ride. I was disapointed that in the 30 or so of us who went out today, there were only 3 girls!!! I started out at about 15 or 16mph for the first 20 or so miles then the wind was really getting to me at the end. There was a guy who knew I was new and let me ride behind him and what a differnece that made. I felt like he was pulling me in. I hardly had to pedal at all just sit there! But I made it and I did not fall! I prayed the whole way over to the start site. (I actually fell last weekend at a safety training for the MS150...twice!) What is the saying? You haven't broke in your bike until you fall on it?

I am very happy I started this, I have spinning classes 3 times this week to go to at my bike shop and 11 more weeks before the MS150, (185 miles in 2 days!) Thanks for everyone's encouragement!! :D

[mimitabby]

you sound like you are doing just great! I'm glad there are some decent folks on your group ride!

[RoadRaven]

Hey there, HR... sounds like it was a very positive experience.
So pleased you are feeling good about it after being so very nervous.
There are so many benefits to be had riding with a group of others every now and again.
Looking forward to seeing some more positive stories or comments on how you are finding bunch riding
~Rave~