My first group ride...or, how I learned that I suck!

[RedNBlondies]

I was so excited to go on my first group ride last night (Monday). It was a beautiful evening, the sun was warm, the breeze was cool. Everyone was in a great mood, happy not to be snowed on like I'm told they were the week before. Everyone knew I was a beginner, from sea level to boot.

So we start to bike on Trail Ridge Road going through Rocky Mountain National Park. Incredibly beautiful views.

But, one we started on our first climb, I was in for. I didn't have to get off the bike. I was able to gear properly so I made it up. But by the time I was up, everyone else was a quarter mile ahead of me. Actually two guys did wait up, one took off once he knew I survived the biggest climb. The other is a friend and was giving me some good advice on gearing and cadence etc. A

I did have to turn around. I rode my bike from home, and I knew I was ging to have to have enough strength to ride home. My friend continued on, and I did make it home.

My ride home was fun (mostly downhill!). I saw two guys with cameras trying to sneak up on an unsuspecting moose. I didn't stick around to see if I was needed to call 911. I hope they were okay. I rode into a herd of elk, but by the time I whipped out my camera phone they ran away. I alwo ran into a few foxes and some beautiful hawks.

All in all, my ride yesterday came out to about 28 miles with a little over a 1000 ft climb. Yes, my legs were sore, but not crazy. I was shocked, however, when I climbed off my bike, I could barely bend my arms, my elbows and shoulders hurt so bad. Oh, and I have to get my saddle adjsted because last night I swore off sex for ever. Ouch! Good thing hubbie is out of town so I can heal and try to figure the seat out.

So all in all, I am proud that I did my biggest ride yet (after 90 minutes of intense cardio earlier that day), but I sure do hope I can keep up better next week.

Thanks for listening to me!!

~Julie

[jennrod12]

Congrats, Julie!

I love your thread title. I ride alone a lot, and when I ride alone I'm awesome! Like, hey, I think I should start up racing again (after 12 years). It's those darn group rides that bring me down. Not only do I suck, but I'm an idiot for not realizing it.:D

I hope you keep going on that group ride. It will definitely help you improve, and it's great motivation, too. By the end of the summer, you will be right up in there and laughing at the memory of your first ride. Next year you'll be helping another newbie try to hang in.:)

Jenn

[bounceswoosh]

Riding with a group of strangers would freak me out. Not there yet. Good for you for trying it =)

[singletrackmind]

And that's how you get better. Keep riding with the group. You already know you can conquer the biggest hill and you weren't far behind, either. Subsequent rides will find you farther and farther along, acclimation will get you even farther. One day in the not too distant future you could be the one waiting for the new rider at the top of the hill. :)

My arms and shoulders will get that way when I'm working hard to keep up with someone(s) new or in a new situation, sometimes I really tense up. I'd be better off relaxed but have to remind myself to stay loose. Once I get comfortable with the group/ride it's not a problem. Don't know if that's your case...



PS. I'm sure you don't qualifiy for 'suck' after a ride like that!

[F8th637]

I'd say you did very well also! The fact is that there is always someone out there better than us. I am adjusting to a road bike too and my arms and shoulders were as you mentioned. This will go away slowly with time as long as you remember to relax. Don't say that you suck because it sounds like to me you totally rocked!

[mimitabby]

You did great! now get fit to your bike/saddle so it isn't so painful.
Been there, done that. You did quite a bit of climbing! great ride, sounds like.

[indysteel]

Julie, Great job! That sounds like a beautiful ride. The only wildlife I usually see are dead squirrels.

And girl, you're funny!!! I laughed out loud several times reading your post! Keep 'em coming.

[ny biker]

Oh wow, I envy you Julie. I love Rocky Mountain Natl Park. But I could barely walk around up there with my sea-level lungs, and I can't even imagine trying to ride a bike there, let alone up hill.

28 miles is nothing to sneeze at. And you had fun and that's what matters most!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I did about 4 group/club rides before I decided that not only did I 'suck' at them, but more importantly I didn't enjoy them. It seemed to me that their only goal was to go as fast as possible. I'm sure they thoroughly enjoyed their ride at their pace. Myself, I don't like to try to go fast all the time.
The countryside around here is beautiful and I like to ride at my own pace and check out scenery, sounds, smells, flowers, etc. I like to stop next to a lilac bush and have a long rest/water break and smell the blossoms and hear the bees. :D Sometimes I like to push myself to go fast, and sometimes I like to just poke along and listen to the crickets.
I do like to ride with friends, but we never have going fast as our goal. It's fine if you like the sense of friendly competition, but it's just not my thing.
If meandering along at a pleasantly easy pace means that i 'suck'....well then I proudly embrace that! :rolleyes: ;)

[F8th637]

Well said, Bleecker! Sounds like my kinda rides!

[cyclinnewbie]

Amen Bleecker!!! If I wasn't on the other coast, we could start a "club"!:p

[Nia]

:) awesome you went for it!!! i'm pretty terrified by the thought still! YIKES!

[OakLeaf]

I did about 4 group/club rides before I decided that not only did I 'suck' at them, but more importantly I didn't enjoy them. It seemed to me that their only goal was to go as fast as possible.

Some clubs are like that. Some clubs have some rides like that while other rides are really laid back. Other clubs have no spirit of competition at all. It definitely shouldn't turn you off on all club rides just because that group was too competitive for your taste.

Red, great job! It doesn't sound to me like you "suck" at all!

[bouncybouncy]

haha...I loved your story! I am so jealous of your animal sitings and silly photographers!!!

I spent numerous rides watching people ride off in the distance...but the distance gets less and less! If you enjoy the company and challenge then keep it up!!! I found that there is always someone who is doing a "recovery" ride and would stay with me or just feel obligated to make sure I made it...I hope your group has the same! I am still not in the lead group but I can put a hurtin' (in a fun way) on some people who used to leave me in the dust!

With all that said...Bleeker type rides are always fun too!!!

[quint41]

I was you 2-1/2 seasons ago when I started riding with a group and I was the only mountain bike trying to keep up with the road bikes!! Now I'm leading rides and passing SOME others uphill (not all by any means). Trying to keep up, not lose the group, watching them and asking questions is how you become a stronger rider. GOOD FOR YOU!!! GO GET 'EM!!!