First group ride

[fallstoclimb]

Going on my first group ride tonight....I'm super nervous. It's supposedly a social training ride "designed for cyclists of all abilities", but my husband called tonight and they said they average 15 mph, whereas I'm usually more in the 13 mph range. At least my husband will stick with me, but getting dropped will still be embarrassing/frustrating. Worse yet, I'm afraid I'll cause a crash or do something just plain stupid. About 50 riders are expected to show up, so I assume there will be some other women, but I'm still terrified.

Any tips? Plain old reassurance would also be welcomed! :eek:

[zoom-zoom]

You'll be great...in a group you'll be able to draft and 15mph will feel like 13. Plus there's that adrenaline bit, too! :D

[Pedal Wench]

Our club put together this sheet for group riding skills. Hope it helps! http://www.studio208.com/TOPRS.pdf

[roo4]

First, don't be embarrassed. I went with my local club and the pace was faster than advertised, but the sweeper guy and I had a good time. Toward the end the ride leader came back to be all encouraging and supportive and whatnot. Twenty years ago I would have been mortified to be the last rider, but now I just figured, well, I'm doing my best, if you don't want riders like me on your ride then don't advertise a 12-15 mph pace (I averaged 14.5 mph on the ride). Everyone was super friendly, even the people that I saw only briefly at the first stop.

So I guess my advice is to have fun and don't let it bother you if you are slower.

[fallstoclimb]

Thanks everyone. Here's one specific question -- my husband says we should stay near the middle of the pack, or we'll get dropped at the first hill. But I think we should stick near the back if I don't know what I'm doing, and most advice seems to agree with that. Am I right?

[ny biker]

If you stay near the middle but people behind you are faster, they will just pass you and you'll get dropped anyway.

There is no shame in being dropped. It happens to everyone. "Dropped" is my middle name. But there are some people that I am able to pass, too.

What group are you riding with? Is it a club or an LBS ride?

[jelee1311]

Don't worry you will be fine. Especially if you are riding with your husband and he is experienced. Is this ride a group or regroup?if its a group they will have a sweeper from the club riding last to make sure no one gets left behind. If its a regroup they will have cue sheets and stops.This sounds like you may have people of all levels so don't worry about a hammerfest. Let people know this is your first group ride. Most people are nice and helpful on the rides I go on. Don't be embarrassed, sometimes you are last.:D. Just have fun and meet new people.

[fallstoclimb]

It's an LBS ride...The Thursday ride (obviously) here:

http://contesbikestores.com/articles/group-rides-pg758.htm

We've actually never even been to this LBS before, there's one closer to us but it doesn't have a ride.

[Possegal]

Hmmmm, that looks like a ride that I could try to do as well. Though I'm normally slower than a C rider, but I find that if I have to keep up with a faster pace, I usually can. I have been so bad about riding this summer and I really am not sure why. I keep thinking something like this will help get me back into it. I'm always glad once I'm riding, it's just the getting up and out part that I'm having trouble with. :)

I've got a gift certificate to this store, though have never been there yet myself either.

[fallstoclimb]

Possegal -- come out tonight and keep me company in the back! ;)

[Velocivixen]

I have thoughts on this topic and I can say that I don't do a lot of group rides because of your (initial poster's) fears.

Most LBS or organized group rides called "Beginner Pace" or "Social Pace" or "Leisure Ride" are truly NOT for beginners. Most rides are geared 14-16 mph average, which is not the pace most beginners ride (at least the ones I know). Often, but not always, the distance is 20-30 miles! Now come on! That is NOT a distance that beginners can ride.

Also, if you are new and fearful, I do NOT recommend that you try to "draft" off another cyclist. That skill needs to be developed and not something I would recommend for a first time rider. If you want to learn that you can do it alone with your husband and practice before doing it in a group.
I think that people who cycle a lot or who have been doing it for years forget what it's like to really be a beginner. Experienced riders often take for granted seemingly little tiny things that might be a HUGE deal to a newby.

So....go on the group ride with the goal to just show up and finish. Anything you achieve, this first ride, beyond that is gravy. Have fun and please let us know how it goes.

[indysteel]

When I'm new to a group, I feel a bit safer near the rear. This is especially true if the group rides as a paceline, i.e., each person follows the person in front of them pretty closely. If you're not used to riding closely behind someone's wheel or having someone closely behind yours, then hang near the back and watch what people do. In paceline riding, you need to make full and consistent use of hand and voice signals and need to keep a steady pace and spin. If the group is just riding together loosely, you still need to watch yourself and others, but not quite as closely. So, it really depends on how the group rides together.

In any event, put safety ahead of any concerns about getting dropped or embarrassed. Just do your best to keep up, but bear in mind that most of us have gotten dropped at some point or another. So long as you know where you're going, don't worry about it. And don't feel shy about admitting to, in the very least, the ride leader that you're new to this. It gives everyone an opportunity to welcome you and give you some pointers. You'll likely be pleasantly surprised at how gracious most people will be.

[Possegal]

Possegal -- come out tonight and keep me company in the back! ;)

I'm seriously thinking about it. I'm off today and sitting here thinking - I should go for a ride now. But, maybe I should wait and head into Bethesda!

If I do, I'll be the one wearing my TE Canadian Molson shirt that I got recently when I went a wee bit crazy with an order to TE. Seriously, how many pairs of socks does one girl need? :)

[withm]

Hey! All those rides go right by my old house in Bethesda! Next time I'm in DC, I'll have to try one of those routes; they should be pretty good. Have fun!

[fallstoclimb]

I'm seriously thinking about it. I'm off today and sitting here thinking - I should go for a ride now. But, maybe I should wait and head into Bethesda!

If I do, I'll be the one wearing my TE Canadian Molson shirt that I got recently when I went a wee bit crazy with an order to TE. Seriously, how many pairs of socks does one girl need? :)


Great! I'll be in a white sleeveless jersey with red trim, on a white and purple specialized dolce. My husband's bike stands out more -- its nickname is Captain America (you'll know it if you see it....).


Thanks for the responses, everyone. I will try not to be too frustrated when I get dropped!

[ny biker]

I've never done one of Conte's rides. Based on the commercials they ran on Versus during the TdF, they're trying to position themselves even more as a shop for racing than they used to be. (That's assuming the Bethesda store is still owned by the people who own the Arlington store, which just changed its name to Fresh Bikes.)

But based on the ride description, I'd say it's worth giving it a try. If you don't feel like they are welcoming to someone who rides at your pace and abilities, you can always just not do it again.

I will say that I'm finding the folks in the Oxon Hill club to be very friendly. If you don't feel that their ride starts are too far away, you might give them a try. www.ohbike.org.

[ny biker]

I think if they are planning a pace of 15 mph, then their intent is that of a recreational/beginning group.

Plus, I always always ride faster with a group. It's just how it is.

You'll be fine. :)

I average less than 15 mph on rides that are not recreational for me, and I am not a beginner.

[Velocivixen]

My LBS which is about 2 miles from home has a new "Beginner Pace" bike ride Sunday mornings from 9-11. I spoke to them and they said how they ride is determined by who shows up and what type of bikes they're riding. So if a bunch of people show up on carbon road bikes and some of cruisers, they'd split the group and do a faster and a slower ride. So it's fluid. I still haven't made it. I should try one, but 9 a.m. on a Sunday is about the time I'm just getting out of bed! ;)

[CyborgQueen]

Hey Jessie. How did it go today??? We both reached a milestone tonight.

I have been cycling for two years and I finally went to my bike club's Thurs night rides. Moderate paced with some hills (no way to avoid 3-5% grade or more hills in Vegas). I wasn't dropped and there was someone always with me when I was struggling climbing the hills. However I showed off my speed going down. I normally avg 14 per ride for a long time. Tonight I was pleasantly surprised I did 15.6 including going 41.4 mph. I was last, but I didn't care. I totally rocked that ride and got out of my comfort zone!

My group has beginner instructional rides a couple times a month. 10 miles for first loop then those who want to do more can do another 10 miles. I'm a little too advanced to ride (12mph max avg) but I'm the sweeper. It comes to a full circle!


Tell us how you did!
I personally believe that you become a better and faster cyclist being with groups, especially those that host a wide range of abilities. Just keep a lookout for beginner rides, instructional rides and C rides. All of these rides, you will not be dropped, so who cares if you're last.

[fallstoclimb]

Overall, the ride was pretty great! I spent the first 5 miles booking it as fast as I could, killing myself to keep within sights of the group, when we finally lost them for good at a light. BUT the two ride leaders (both women, which was nice!) took turns hanging back with us for the first half, and one of them began to teach me drafting, which I understood in concept but had never actually done before. For the second half, a regular and a ride leader hung back with us and we did a little 4-person paceline, which was a great introduction to it -- not at all scary, and a lot of fun. Around the 19 mile mark they made sure we knew the rest of the way back and took off, so I checked my average speed because I knew it was about to decrease dramatically -- it was 16.7! I've never averaged more than 15.7 (that was a flat 13 mile ride), and it's usually more in the 13 mph range. Of course the last couple of miles back alone the adrenaline died off, my legs cramped up and my average speed dropped to 15.7, but I'm still pretty freaking proud of myself.

Thanks for encouraging me to get out there guys! Not sure I would've done it otherwise (like honestly, right before we got there I was so scared I was ready to bail but I didn't want to come back here and have to admit that's what happened!). I'm glad I went. Later I'll write a more detailed recap on my blog and post a link, in case anyone is interested.

[fallstoclimb]

OK -- here's the link:

http://ladyroadie.blogspot.com/2011/08/first-group-ride.html

[CyborgQueen]

Fantastic JOB!!! The more you ride with them, the better you will be.

Love the Blog! :-)

[Possegal]

I chickened out Jessie. But I'd like to try and do this sometime in the future. Sounds like a good ride with good ride leaders. Glad you had fun.

[jlnc]

Congratulations on your ride Jessie! Sounds like fun, and I bet you are so glad you did it. I read your blog, which was a nice write up.
Just 2 quick questions for you ....you mention being embarrassed that you dropped your chain. Why? (I've never done this before, and just wondering how it happens?) Also, the girl that didn't finish...was it her choice to not finish with the group? Or was she really "dropped" because she was too slow? Do you know if she just turned around and went back?
---->"A ride leader told us someone behind us was on her first ride on a road bike (this is the woman who didn't have toe clips), and after a few miles they decided we wouldn't be waiting on her. "

[fallstoclimb]

Congratulations on your ride Jessie! Sounds like fun, and I bet you are so glad you did it. I read your blog, which was a nice write up.
Just 2 quick questions for you ....you mention being embarrassed that you dropped your chain. Why? (I've never done this before, and just wondering how it happens?) Also, the girl that didn't finish...was it her choice to not finish with the group? Or was she really "dropped" because she was too slow? Do you know if she just turned around and went back?
---->"A ride leader told us someone behind us was on her first ride on a road bike (this is the woman who didn't have toe clips), and after a few miles they decided we wouldn't be waiting on her. "


Oh, my understanding is that you drop your chain when you try to shift while pedaling too hard. It happens to the best of cyclists though (wasn't there a Tour de France that was lost on a dropped chain?), so it isn't in itself embarrassing, but it was just sort of capping off how exhausted/falling apart I was at that point.

And the girl who didn't finish had a more experienced friend who stuck with her -- I think her and her friend told the ride leader not to worry about them. They must have done a shortened circuit because they were at the bike shop when we finished up. I only mentioned her because it was a relief to hear that I wasn't the most overmatched rider, although since she dropped out the comfort didn't last long. She was brave to attempt a group ride on her first time on a roadie!

[jlnc]

Thanks for the updates, was just curious!

[goldfinch]

You did really well!

I am a bit frustrated with reading about group rides that are advertised for beginners and cyclists of all abilities. Some new rider might actually think that is the case. They certainly don't fit my abilities, which is still a pace of only about 10-11mph. I'd love the chance to ride with some other people sometime but this kind of riding is way out of my league.

[fallstoclimb]

You did really well!

I am a bit frustrated with reading about group rides that are advertised for beginners and cyclists of all abilities. Some new rider might actually think that is the case. They certainly don't fit my abilities, which is still a pace of only about 10-11mph. I'd love the chance to ride with some other people sometime but this kind of riding is way out of my league.

I do agree with this -- and honestly that group ride was way out of my league. I don't think the LBS can be blamed, though, because if more inexperienced cyclists had shown up, we could have all hung together. However I think unfortunately it tends to be the strong cyclists who mostly show up to group rides, and the weaker ones are the exception.

One thing I have done before are bike club-sponsored longer-distance rides, with staggered start times, that were much more casual. Are there any of those near where you live?

[Nick]

OK -- here's the link:

http://ladyroadie.blogspot.com/2011/08/first-group-ride.html

I really enjoyed your story! Thanks for sharing. Your blog led me to some other wonderful blogs, as well, and I got lost in a lovely journey of bike stories.

[roo4]

My bike club guys tell me that the spring rides tend to be slower and shorter. So if they are too fast now, try again in May? People get faster as the summer progresses.

[goldfinch]

I do agree with this -- and honestly that group ride was way out of my league. I don't think the LBS can be blamed, though, because if more inexperienced cyclists had shown up, we could have all hung together. However I think unfortunately it tends to be the strong cyclists who mostly show up to group rides, and the weaker ones are the exception.

One thing I have done before are bike club-sponsored longer-distance rides, with staggered start times, that were much more casual. Are there any of those near where you live?

It is hard for me to find anything like that as I am rarely in one area more than a month.