First Group Ride

[coyote]

I did my first group ride last night. I was really nervous. Turns out that there were only 4 of us. We went up a hill.....and I made it. We went down a hill and I did not think about how scary it was, only I need to catch up. I did a little drafting...that was amazing. It was great fun and I rode with very patient people. They even invited me back.

Bonus: I was riding east just after sunset, the sky was purple and the valley floor was pink. The huge full moon was rising between to two mountians. It was amazing.

[bicyclulz]

That's awesome! Good for you. I just started getting into cycling myself and have gone of a few group rides....and I look forward to more! Keep riding ... :-D

[DirtDiva]

Nice one!

Evening shop rides start up here next week with daylight savings. Just as well - my bunch riding skills could use some work.

[Cyclesome]

I too went on my first group ride with women who were very patient. I was nervous as well, Coyote. We flew down the steep hill with traffic zipping past us, and they were pedalling to go even faster. I was cruising w/o pedaling and going a bit over 30mph with much more traffic zipping past than I had encountered when riding in my area.

They could hear traffic behind them all the time without looking. I could not! Two were training for a race and two stayed with me. I had no trouble with the climbs, but the first descent was at the edge of my comfort zone to be sure.

Their bike skills were awesome. Mine are not! Being a beginner, I am not yet able to take my hands off my bike to signal, so I was sandwiched in between two gals. How do I learn to do this? Any classes or bike courses I could take? I have been riding my road bike since July and its way different than my hybrid which I use for trails.

I did have a great time and we all went out to eat afterwards. But I need to improve big time!

[AmyO]

In the Boston area, REI hosts Intro to Road Cycling classes. They have an intermediate version as well. I'm guessing they do this everywhere. I took it and found it to be really helpful, just to pick up some tips and go on a group ride. I was probably the most experienced rider, though, and I'd had my bike for a couple of months at that time, so there were some true beginners in my class. They even provide a bike for you if you don't have/didn't bring your own...road or hybrid. It was well worth the ~$50 for a class and then 20 miles of instructed riding.

[coyote]

We have free bike classes here. They are thru a bike association. They give you a bunch of free stuff -helmets, lights and water bottle. Last year they started offer Women's Road I classes. It was awesome. They are having a Women's Road II class in Oct. I'm going for that. I don't know what it will be like.

After the Road I class, I had a much better understanding about safety which also gave me more confidence on the road. And I could properly patch a tube (apparently you should not put your finger on the glue to see it is dry).

Cyclesome, sounds like you are doing awesome. I can't believe you went 30mph! I haven't gone that fast yet. I'm sure classes will help but so does time and experience.

[Cactus Flower]

Hey Coyote - I'm taking my first group ride tomorrow morning and am NERVOUS! But excited, too...

I'm in Scottsdale - if you're ever in the area, let's do a ride!

Cheers!

[PscyclePath]

We have free bike classes here. They are thru a bike association. They give you a bunch of free stuff -helmets, lights and water bottle. Last year they started offer Women's Road I classes. It was awesome. They are having a Women's Road II class in Oct. I'm going for that. I don't know what it will be like.

After the Road I class, I had a much better understanding about safety which also gave me more confidence on the road. And I could properly patch a tube (apparently you should not put your finger on the glue to see it is dry).

Cyclesome, sounds like you are doing awesome. I can't believe you went 30mph! I haven't gone that fast yet. I'm sure classes will help but so does time and experience.

Road I and Road II are the two basic classes offered by the League of American Bicyclists thru their Bike Ed program and certified instructors in many bike clubs and advocacy groups. Road I is an excellent way to improve your riding skills and confidence in handling yourself and your bike out on the road. Nearly 2/3rds of both courses entails butt-on-the-bike riding practice.

Road II builds on the basics of Road I to cover more complex (& heavier) traffic situations, bike maintenance and simple repairs, fitness training, distance riding, nutrition for cyclists, and riding in less than ideal conditions, suxh as bad weather or at night. Handling skills expand from the basic emergency drils to track-standing, bunny-hopping, and low-speed proficiency & balance.

The League instructors also have a special group riding course that's a good intro if you're not used to, or not comfortable riding in a pack or in close proximity to another rider, as well as some useful pack skills like how to organize a paceline or similar tactics. They're well worthwhile. Skills I learned in the Bike Ed courses saved my rear end several times this summer, as recently as this morning's mass ride when two riders crashed badly about 6 feet in front of my wheel... and I was able to dodge the whole mess.

[quint41]

If there are any new road riders in the Hartford, CT, area who have never ridden in a group, you are welcome to ride with us sometime. I started road riding/group riding last summer, and it is kind of intimidating at first. We have some lovely routes up through South Windsor and East Windsor that are fairly flat and quiet. They are great for new riders. And we won't push you or drop you.

[RoadRaven]

How beautiful to ride your first ride with others in such a stunning setting

Glad it went well - if you get the right people to ride with it makes such a difference to your confidence and to the fun you have from the ride

Wishing you many many more fun rides like this one

[ibcycling]

Congrats on your great ride! I'll bet the view was absolutely gorgeous. Make sure to take them up on their offer to ride again.

I just started riding with a group too and they are awesome. They are all experienced riders and very willing to help me out. Even though they are all 30-50 years older than me I have plans to find another group. Their generosity and experience is too great to pass up and they could kick my rear on any given day.

Lora