Group Rides mistakes...

...has anyone made them?

I feel like I want to rewind last night and change what I know now, then.

I went on a night group ride last night. I got a little confused on who was the sweeper. On the descents, I was able to keep up with the group without a problem. Then I reached a hilly section. I knew I had to slow down because my HR was getting erratic (going out too hard). So I did just slowed down a little bit, then I totally lost them. There was no one with me, and no one behind me (at least I thought). I got up the steady climbing section then I decided to just go back to the starting point because I did not want to hold the group back. Because they were at least one to two miles ahead of me...I couldn't see anyone.

I texted the ride leader and told her that, "I was sorry that I couldn't keep up with the group. No sweepers were with me (thinking that I was last). Perhaps I'm not ready for this ride." I was texted back, "You gave up too easily. They were behind you. You were faster than the sweepers. Next time hang in there."

I felt really stupid. 12 miles in for a 30 mile ride, I had NO idea that the sweepers were a few minutes or so behind me. I wished I waited for them and looked. I've been kicking myself since last night for doing for at least look and wait.

Hope I can go back on that group ride. Should I email the ride leader and explain or just let it go? I've been riding with the club for two years, and it just feels like I should know all of this by now...but this is my second night ride with the faster folks...

Any one made any stupid/silly mistakes on group rides? I just need to feel better...lol.

Just let it go. I don't think that was a big deal, a simple mistake. I wouldn't worry about it or make an issue of it. Just move on and try again. Now you'll know what to do next time.

Let it go. It was a silly mistake, not a dangerous one.

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Originally Posted by Becky

Let it go. It was a silly mistake, not a dangerous one.

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+1. I've seen mistakes at group rides that have gotten people seriously injured; those are the ones to really worry about.

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Originally Posted by Becky

Let it go. It was a silly mistake, not a dangerous one.

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LOL...telling my mind to "let it go", easier said than done...

But yes - true, it was just a silly one.

It's hard to find the right groups to ride with, so if you like them, go back! Did you pass the sweepers when you turned around? Seems like the group was pretty spread out, if you were 2 miles behind the leaders, and you couldn't even see the sweepers. Maybe find out if the group stops at designated points to regroup, so in the future you know what to expect? I dont think you did anything that should prevent you from returning. You were nice to send a text...not everyone would have done that.

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Originally Posted by CyborgQueen

LOL...telling my mind to "let it go", easier said than done...

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Oh believe me, I know what you mean! I am the queen of rehashing and remembering! I've been consciously working at breaking that cycle, but it's not easy.

Take comfort in the fact that the ride leader told you not to worry about it, and know that next time is a) a chance to redeem yourself and b) you're stronger on the bike than you thought :)

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Originally Posted by jlnc

It's hard to find the right groups to ride with, so if you like them, go back! Did you pass the sweepers when you turned around? Seems like the group was pretty spread out, if you were 2 miles behind the leaders, and you couldn't even see the sweepers. Maybe find out if the group stops at designated points to regroup, so in the future you know what to expect? I dont think you did anything that should prevent you from returning. You were nice to send a text...not everyone would have done that.

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Yeah, it's a little hard. Luckily, this town has like 3 or 4 different groups, but I frequent this group a little more. I'm just starting to go on their B rides as they rarely have C rides (due to scheduling etc..). At the start I must have overlooked the sweepers. I hung out in the middle for a while from the start until the long steady climb, then I lost the leaders. I *assumed* that the sweepers were the last people of that group. I didn't know that they were that much behind me. They did have designated re grouping points, but when I lost them, I didn't know exactly where to go, so I just turned around at the familiar area and went back to start. I should have stopped before turning away from the route, and waited a few minutes...the sweepers were a little behind me, but not far...I just didn't see them. Lesson learned...Just go out there and RIDE and IGNORE what other people think about me being a little slow... Silly thing was...this was a no Drop ride...oy. Climbing up hard hills does a wreck on your mind...especially like mine. ;-)

I'm alright now, I've learned my lesson. ;

Becky - thanks for that little inspiration - Next week, it'll give me a chance to redeem myself. :-)

Thanks to those who were listening to my rant...sometimes I just need a little ***** session. :-P You know...Aunt Flo and all that. *sigh*

I did this exact thing a couple weeks on my group ride. I was actually somewhere in the middle, but thought I was completely left behind. I got discouraged and turned around. It turns out I wasn't far from the turnaround point for the whole group, and the rest of the group (which was behind me, by a few miles). But I felt alone and isolated, so that was it.

I am VERY embarassed about what a slow climber I am, and I ride with a really fast group. So it is kinda a double whammy. I just keep working on letting all of that go and focusing on MY ride. Since I have been riding with the group my average MPH has gone up about 3 MPH. It is getting better all the time, but I don't think I will ever be a particularly fast climber.