Successful group ride!

[RolliePollie]

I just got home from tonight's LBS group ride and even though I was one of the very last to finish, I completed the whole route. And I am FINALLY starting to feel like I'm really in control of my bike. Yahoo!

I was nervous about this ride because I wasn't familiar with the roads. Plus it's only the second time I've ridden with a group. The route was 21.5 miles with a total of 2,100 feet of climbing. My average speed was 14 mph, which is really quite fast for me on a route with that many hills. And I didn't even drop my chain once! It was great motivation to have other people to keep up with. I'm learning a lot from all the more experienced riders and everyone was nice and encouraged me along the way. All in all, a really great ride. I'm looking forward to the next one!!! :D

Here's kind of a cool link that shows the route:
http://www.beautifulvista.com/Bike_Rides/south_shingle_old_french_town_loop.htm

[Jolt]

Congratulations! It's always a good feeling to stay with the group on a ride where you're not sure you will. I've only gone on two group rides myself (this past Tuesday and the one before) and the first one was a huge relief because I was able to stay in the middle of the pack rather than struggling to keep up like I thought I would--I've felt pretty slow sometimes riding around town. BTW, you're ahead of me as far as speed and distance on your group rides--mine are 10-12 miles and average speed tends to be around 12 mph (the routes have rolling hills--can't avoid those here). Now you must be looking forward to the next one!

[Zen]

That's an excellent speed!

Mine averaged only 11.8 last night :( but I'm working on my downhill technique, that may bring it up a bit.

[RoadRaven]

Thats a good training pace over a hilly course Sara.

Well done... glad you enjoyed it...

[Jiffer]

Yes, I agree that is a very good pace. I did my first ride on my own today (not on a tandem or along side my husband). I went 20 miles and averaged 11.7. I don't know what the elevation was, but there was definite elevation. Lucky for me, I feel pretty decent on the downhills. I got up 25 mph a few times, which is about as fast as I feel comfortable right now. DH and I have gone 45 on the tandem and I don't know if I'd EVER feel comfortable doing that on my own! :eek:

I don't plan on doing any major group rides on my single any time in the near future. I certainly don't want to be the one holding everyone back! I did a 10 mile "easy" group ride with some friends yesterday and was still the one bringing up the rear. Good thing I have the tandem with a superstar cycling husband to keep me in the front and looking good! If I felt I could do 14 mph average for 20 miles, I might feel okay about doing a group ride. So, good for you!!!

[RoadRaven]

Hey there again Jiffer

If you are unsure about group rides because of your endurance at that groups speed, then how about buddying up with a few of the riders from that group and having small training rides with them, and slowly work on increasing the length of time you can maintain a speed.