New to group riding--tips, please!

I am going to look into riding with a group this spring but I am terrified I will be left behind! :p

Just a couple limitations: I am terrified to let go of my handlebars (although I can use my right hand to drink out of my water bottle while riding), my reaction time is too slow to avoid most potholes (my vision was recently corrected with contacts so it should be a little better) and I am slow (okay, so it's an understatement) on hills.

Also, I would appreciate any advice you can give me about riding in groups: all the little things before I get started (like the manners your mom reminds you of before you go play at your friend's house ;))!

Thanks in advance!

I was lucky to find a group that's really casual and friendly, and they're great about helping new folks learn. (And just all around fun to ride with!)

So my knowledge is totally casual :

Let folks know you're new and unsure of yourself, and that you'd appreciate hints.

Know and use your signals, especially for slowing down and stuff. Look before you turn.

Warn someone if you're drafting off them.

Don't overlap tires; if you're not sure, a little extra distance in front of you will help.

I think in a group ride it is expected that you will be drafting someone if you're not on the front, and hence, that someone is going to be on your wheel. No need for warnings. However, I can't stand it when I'm out for a solo workout and someone decides to come up and quietly suck my wheel for a long time. How distracting.

BTW, there are threads on here about group etiquette. Do a search.

Ana,
I have gone on a few different beginner to intermediate level group rides.
I actually did not observe that there was any drafting going on at all. I do know that in the more advanced group rides there was plenty of drafting going on. (I'll likely never be fast enough for those groups anyway ;) ) I'm assuming from your lack of experience that you are sticking with an intermed. or beginner level group ride at first?

If you have never ridden in a group before and have never drafted or been drafted off of, I would say it is indeed wise to get used to riding in groups first and yes do warn people to please allow space around you for a while til you get comfortable in group riding. If that means you have to straggle behind and be last in line then so be it.
I remember the first couple times i rode in a group I was quite nervous and tended to involuntarily touch on my brakes way more often than when I rode alone. It was very different to me than riding alone or with a friend or with my husband. Nervous light braking could cause accidents if people are drafting around you. People could get hurt.
Personally I would say don't draft or be drafted until you are feeling somewhat comfortable riding in a group and you know all the little rules.

A key safety factor in group riding is to be sure to clearly signal/announce your intentions before stopping, slowing, turning, etc. Also, you are usually expected to point to or announce a road or traffic hazard to the person behind you whose vision may be limited by you.
When the group is initially gathering for the ride, ask the leader about what is expected in terms of group etiquette. It's good anyway for the leader to occasionally go over such things with everyone, and they might welcome the opportunity to review it all with the whole group there.

Our club has a nice information sheet that you can download here.

Most cycling clubs, in my experience, offer rides at various paces (A being the fastest, D being very social and the slowest). In all cases around here, the ride leader provides cue sheets, so even if you are riding on your own, you can follow the route. You'll need a bike computer and a cue sheet holder/clip to follow the cue sheet.

Start with the slowest group and get comfortable and then go up to the next group. Your local club might also offer beginner group rides for new people.

There are groups and then there are groups. My cycling club's rides are "group" rides, but that doesn't mean that you will necessarily be riding in a paceline or drafting. You can if you want, but you can also just do your own thing. In contrast, you can pretty much expect to be in a paceline at our club's weekly training rides. So, you might get more specific advice if you can tell us more about the group you're planning to join. Is it an informal group of riding buddies, a club ride, a training ride, a group geared for new riders?

As a general rule, however, I think you need to know how and when to use both hand and voice signals to announce traffic, road hazards, turns, changes in the pace, traffic signals and the like. You should feel comfortable not only dodging road hazards but alerting others to their existence, too. You mentioned that you aren't great (although the contacts may help) at dodging potholes. I would suggest that you get better at this before you ride in a group or let anyone draft too closely behind you.

To ride in a group, you should ideally be able to ride in a steady line and should aim to ride predictably. You should be able to look over your shoulder and take a drink from your water bottle without weaving.

If you're riding in a paceline, you should be able to ride at a steady pace, have a steady "spin" or cadence, and not brake excessively (at least without annoucing that you're doing so). My biggest pet peeve is riding behind somebody in a paceline who coasts every few pedal strokes. That sends mixed signals to the person behind you that you're slowing down. But given the experience you've indicated, I would avoid riding in pacelines just yet. Get comfortable first just riding with people in a loose group.

Before joining any group, I think you should have some idea of the ride and the group's expectations of you. Is the route marked and/or is there a map? What's the expected pace? Does the group have a no-drop policy? Do they have meet up points if people get seperated? How long is the ride and are there any stops along the way if you run short of food or water?

My attitude is that it pays to ask questions and to be honest about your experience and abilities. Usually, someone will be happy to show you the ropes if you make it known that you're new.