Beginner Group Ride Question

Ok, so LBS has been hounding me (in a sweet way) to join their Saturday beginner rides. Normally I'd jump at the chance to get to know other riders and get more biking time. HOWEVER,even though the ride is 'no drop' the ride is 20-25 miles, with a minimum average speed of 14.5. Hmpf. The longest I've ridden is 12 miles, not really certain of my speed(dont' have a computer) I estimate that I go about 13.3.

I'm still getting used to my bike & the whole clipless concept, and going that far at that speed seems above 'beginner' status. Should I bite the bullet, go cause it's not as bad in reality, or should I give myself more time???

Again, I've had oscar for about 4 weeks.

I lead beginning club rides on a monthly basis. Here are some questions to ask and things you want to know:

1) Is this truly a "no drop" ride. In other words, if you are significantly slower than anyone else will someone stay and ride with you?

2) Where do the rides go? Do they incorporate bike trails and path or are they principally in the street? If you aren't comfortable riding in the street, you may want to wait alittle longer before joining the group ride. Also is the route flat, hilly, rolly, what? Can you ride hilly if need be?

3) How many people usually do the "newbie" rides and how many people act as guides? Say there's 10 newbies, the club should have at least 4 guides/leaders to keep the group together and help out.

4) Will there be a quick training session beforehand. In otherwords, will the leader discuss proper arm signals, how to call out hazards and stopping, how to cross at lights etc.?

5) What equipment are you expected to carry? At a minimal you should have a) a spare tube, b) pump if your tires are presta since must roadies use presta., c) water, d) helmet!!!!!!!, e) gloves and proper riding attire.

I suggest you just show up one time and observe the group and how they start out. What type of bikes are most folks on? Are they a number of "comfort" bikes - in other words do these people look like newbies or new club riders - there is a big difference! Watch the start and then decide to come back next time to ride.

Have you discussed with them your concerns? If so, and they still encourage you to go, I would go!

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Originally Posted by pikato

Ok, so LBS has been hounding me (in a sweet way) to join their Saturday beginner rides. Normally I'd jump at the chance to get to know other riders and get more biking time. HOWEVER,even though the ride is 'no drop' the ride is 20-25 miles, with a minimum average speed of 14.5. Hmpf. The longest I've ridden is 12 miles, not really certain of my speed(dont' have a computer) I estimate that I go about 13.3.

I'm still getting used to my bike & the whole clipless concept, and going that far at that speed seems above 'beginner' status. Should I bite the bullet, go cause it's not as bad in reality, or should I give myself more time???

Again, I've had oscar for about 4 weeks.

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seems a bit fast for a "beginner" ride!!
You are right to be concerned.

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Originally Posted by SalsaMTB

Have you discussed with them your concerns? If so, and they still encourage you to go, I would go!

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Yep, I talked with them about it and they said "well, if you can make it through a cycling class, then you will be fine". I do go to cycling twice weekly, but the class does the whole "Do your own pace" which is what I do & it freaks me out a bit that with this ride, I'd be doing it at others pace. Tom(one of the LBS workers) did say that if I was with the group & wanted to turn around he'd be with me.

THere is another beginner group ride(Different LBS store) that is on Weds night that is only 13 mph for 25 miles, but I have grad classes that night.

I really want to start group riding cause I feel it'll make me a better rider, but at the same time I don't want to get in over my head.

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Originally Posted by pikato

Yep, I talked with them about it and they said "well, if you can make it through a cycling class, then you will be fine". I do go to cycling twice weekly, but the class does the whole "Do your own pace" which is what I do & it freaks me out a bit that with this ride, I'd be doing it at others pace. Tom(one of the LBS workers) did say that if I was with the group & wanted to turn around he'd be with me.

THere is another beginner group ride(Different LBS store) that is on Weds night that is only 13 mph for 25 miles, but I have grad classes that night.

I really want to start group riding cause I feel it'll make me a better rider, but at the same time I don't want to get in over my head.

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The list of questions that were posted above are great (Sorry, I can't see who posted them while typing this).

Now, 13 mph is slow. Honestly, most newbie riders can do this, unless you are not use to your bike and have trouble with inclines/hills/wind.

But, it is very important that you ask them if it's truly a no drop ride. Some rides say they are no drop... but that only means if you can keep up.

What I always use to do when I started riding with groups... and I knew I was slow... I would go around and meet people before the ride. I would let them know that I was new and didn't know the route, and I had a fear of being dropped. I asked if someone could make sure I didn't get lost. There was always a kind soul who would take pity on me and make sure I was OK.

When people know you, they don't lose you.

Best of luck... and I really encourage you to just go out and do it. It's scary... I know. Shoot, even after 1.5 years of riding with group... I get scared going to some group rides... but I get there, and ride, and realize that there was nothing to be scared of... because someone is going my speed after all!

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Originally Posted by KSH

Best of luck... and I really encourage you to just go out and do it. It's scary... I know. Shoot, even after 1.5 years of riding with group... I get scared going to some group rides... but I get there, and ride, and realize that there was nothing to be scared of... because someone is going my speed after all!

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Yeah, I think I'm just gonna go ahead & show up in the morning.

As for hills, the route is pretty flat(all of CC is, really) and I practice riding parts of it, and street riding doesn't bother me at all. The speed is/was my main concern, so thanks for the thoughts. I'll let y'all know how it goes!!

Here's the worse that can happen... you start out with them, can't keep up and then stop, tell the guide you want to return to the park and you turn around.

I have to tell you I feel even 13 - 15 mph for a "newbie" ride is very fast. Yes I know new cyclist can ride that fast but on many of our rides we have folks that can barely go over 5 - 8 mph (really I'm not making this up). And even 13 miles sustained for 25 miles for a new rider is alot.

The 14 - 15 mph pace for the shorter ride (your LBS' ride) seems very fast. I would make sure the leader/guide whoever is talking you into joinging agrees to stay with you no matter what even if you fall far behind the pace. If he cannot. I would hold off the group ride. Do some riding on your own, feel comfortable with the distance and pace and then give it a go. While group riding can be fun it is also difficult and requires some skill.

If the shop has a normal route, get a route slip and ride it by yourself to get comfortable and then tackle the group ride.

lots of good tips here...now my $0.02:p

does this ride begin with some tips and instructions? (arm signals, communication skills, paceline ettiquite, drafting) if not ask tom (one of the lbs workers) if he would not mind meeting early to go over these things with you? he seems to be willing to abide by the "no drop" rule...i would say ...go for it!

i personally have issues in pacelines (mental monsters)...but i am going 20-25 mph...hubby is trying to accept the fact i will never be a true roadie (i LOVE dirt!!!!) but i can hang with a bunch if i hafta! just remember...we all started somewhere and it is never a stupid question...and we were all nervous once too!!!

btw...if it is a now drop beginners ride you will probably have a few stops on the way so i would not worry about the distance...soon you will be riding beyand 20 miles without a second thought!!!

good luck...have fun...and may the wind be at your back (at least for the 1st group ride...hehe)

[QUOTEi personally have issues in pacelines (mental monsters)...but i am going 20-25 mph...][/QUOTE]

ME TOO!

Then again, I don't have any depth perception (my eyes work independently of each other)... so I get real nervous being up on someone's back wheel.

So, I end up at the back of pack... and I typically get spit out when they start going fast.

A lot of riders around me... makes me nervous!

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Originally Posted by KSH

Now, 13 mph is slow. Honestly, most newbie riders can do this, unless you are not use to your bike and have trouble with inclines/hills/wind.

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uhm..... ok..... so when i was a newbie.... i guess i crawled.... and i guess i'm still slow! there are days i'm lucky to hit 13 mph! i just checked bike journal... and a LOT of my first rides were... 9..... 10..... 11 mph! so i don't know about most newbies... but this newbie who's been riding for 2 years... doesn't think it's all that slow!

now granted... there is NOTHING that is flat around here... so no matter where i go... i have some climbing to do to get back home... although not steep... but definitely NOT flat! add wind to that (it's ALWAYS windy in the desert!) i just really touchy when people start talking about speeds being slow... cuz we're not all fast! i'm an endurance rider... but i'm slow about it.... others prefer shorter distances at faster paces....

sure... on my route out... i can get going fast... but once i turn around... i can watch that average speed guage drop and drop and drop....

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Originally Posted by caligurl

uhm..... ok..... so when i was a newbie.... i guess i crawled.... and i guess i'm still slow! there are days i'm lucky to hit 13 mph! i just checked bike journal... and a LOT of my first rides were... 9..... 10..... 11 mph! so i don't know about most newbies... but this newbie who's been riding for 2 years... doesn't think it's all that slow!

now granted... there is NOTHING that is flat around here... so no matter where i go... i have some climbing to do to get back home... although not steep... but definitely NOT flat! add wind to that (it's ALWAYS windy in the desert!) i just really touchy when people start talking about speeds being slow... cuz we're not all fast! i'm an endurance rider... but i'm slow about it.... others prefer shorter distances at faster paces....

sure... on my route out... i can get going fast... but once i turn around... i can watch that average speed guage drop and drop and drop....

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You are right.

And speeds can be relative.

In Texas... where it's flat as can be... most of the newbie riders I ride with (example: got thier bikes 1 week ago and have ridden it twice)... can do a 13 mph average.

Now, that's just the groups I ride with.

I will never take judgement on someone's speed... because let's face it... if you ride with hills... you might be lucky to keep a 13 mph average!

So, I didn't mean to offend with my statement. I was just thinking about the situations I have been in with new riders. Which of course does not apply to ALL situations.

I agree with you guys - 13 - 15 mph is not slow especially for a new rider. Again in my newbie rides we have lots of folks who struggle to maintain over 5 mph for 15 miles. Even now depending on my mood and stamina - I have trouble with 13 for a period of time.

My advice is to give a look see first. Then try and ride.

Also I highly doubt a newbie group will be pacelining,. If they are, I wouldn't ride with them. New riders are usually such a bunch of squirrels!!!!

If this is helpful - this is how our local recreational club describes its rides.

Easy: Under 10 mph
Leisurely: 10-12 mph
Steady: 12-14 mph
Moderate: 14-16 mph
Brisk: 16-18 mph
Strenuous: 18-21 mph
Super Strenuous: 22+ mph

Refers to the range of speeds on level ground without breaks. Downhills may be faster, uphills slower

Note: for rides described as HILLY, consider choosing a pace one step down from your usual comfort level

Swung by the LBS--mainly to point out stuff I want for b-day to Kirk--and Tom was there. I asked all the questions (THANKS, btw) and basically what it is is there are 5 different leaders who take whomever shows up out. We all start together, then as riders start to wear out, the leaders start branching off. Tom said he has one lady who started last week & she went about 10mph. No offense to her, or anyone, but from my alone rides, I know I blow that out of the water. The only thing that slows me down is the wind, which pretty much blows non-stop in my coastal town.

So I feel much much better about it & plan on going tomorrow. Tom told me to show up about 15 minutes early(6:45 am:eek: )because that is when he reviews signals & basic riding etiquette.