Doing a group ride tomorrow in Portland, OR

[JenniBlossom]

I am a new rider. I got my bike last summer and rode it until the rainy season kicked in. I usually do a 22 mile ride about 4 days a week and then a longer ride on Sat/Sun. Unfortunately, my riding partner is injured. So, I am going to join a group ride on Sunday that the Bike Gallery hosts. I've never cycled in a group and I'm nervous. I've never ridden with other women and I'm excited! I hope I can keep up. Right now my pace is about 18 mph. I have noticed in other posts that people refer to being "dropped". Is that when you are riding too slow and people don't wait for you?

[tctrek]

Hey, you are doing fabulous for a "new" rider. I don't think you'll be dropped at 18 mph average. That's really great! Anyway, if it's like most organized ride, it's not a race, and you should ride your own ride and not worry what others are doing. You can usually follow the markers on the road that tell you where to turn. Make sure you hydrate and eat during the ride and you'll do great!

[JenniBlossom]

Thanks! I don't have anything to compare myself to...so I don't know where my skill level would rank. I'll give the ride a try and see how it goes!

This is a really cool forum. Thanks for the comment!

[jobob]

Hi Jenni -

Hey, don't worry, you're plenty fast. Slowpokes like me would have a tough time keeping up with you! (So, try not to drop everyone else )

Also, unless this is an "event" sort of ride (a ride with a large number of people participating, where people pay to participate, generally in advance) then there likely won't be markings on the road. I might have misunderstood, though.

But you might get what's called a "cue sheet" (or a "route sheet"), which lists the streets to turn on and the mileage between each turn. If you have a way to attach your cue sheet onto your handlebar (just a small clip attached to velcro works fine), that's a lot easier than stuffing it in your back pocket, but of course its not essential. You will likely hardly ever need to refer to your cue sheet if you're riding with people who know where they're going, but it's very good to have.

Odds are good you'll find people who ride at at your pace (or, almost at your pace ) to ride with. Could you let the person who is organizing the ride at Bike Gallery know that this is your first one? The organizer could give you an idea of the general pace of the group, and perhaps even introduce you to some other riders.

Don't worry, it's not as complicated as it sounds. Get out there and have fun!

[JenniBlossom]

I like the clip idea. I wouldn't have thought of that. Yes, I think it will be a ride that is not marked. I will definitely tell the leader that I'm new. That's a great idea!

Today I am going to get new padded shorts. I wore my last pair out!

Have fun out there!

[jdubble]

jenni,
i've ridden with the bike gallery women on occasion (not as often as i'd like!) and it's a great group. if you're riding that much during the week and averaging 18 mph, i assure you that you will NOT get dropped. not to mention, it's a "no rider left behind" ride, they always stop and regroup or have set meeting times/places to regroup. don't worry a bit! i'm planning on going this weekend (couldn't make it last week due a soccer game scheduling conflict) - will you be there?
jj