Talk me through (or around!) this...

[Owlie]

Remember how I was complaining that I had no one to ride with and no routes?
I remembered that my former university has a cycling club. I sent out a group e-mail, and there are some people still around who are willing to ride! Yay!

There are, however, a few things that make me nervous.
1) The route is longer (38 miles) than I've done, and with more climbing than I'm used to...and all the climbing is at the end. I know the only way to get better at it is to do it, but I think that's a lot at one go for someone who primarily rides on flat ground with only the occasional hill.
2) They're all guys who are a fair bit faster than me. I can do 15-16 mph on the flats, but I'm pretty slow (10-13mph) on hills. The guy who's organizing this one is planning on 17-18, though he says a friend might be joining him who rides at my pace.
3)The organizer was nice enough to send me the route in advance, but it's quite unfamiliar territory.
4)I don't know any of them. Easily resolvable, but I'd feel better if I had one person I knew with me, especially because of the pace and the fact that I'm not overly familiar with the area.
5) I'm not terribly experienced with group rides, and it does sound like, since this guy's talking about pacelines, that this particular sebset likes riding at a higher level than I'm presently comfortable with.

So...I've been reading the "What should I expect on group rides" threads. I feel a little better, especially if I hang back a bit. I can: Bite the bullet and try riding with these guys and hope I can make my way home by myself (or hope I'm pleasantly surprised); try the route by myself and take my time; or hold out for what the other group says. If that's not an option, tackle all the smaller hills in my area as much as I can. There's one that's reasonable for interval training, provided I don't hit the fun spots on way down!

Thoughts? Suggestions? Ideas?
Thanks!

[OakLeaf]

Bring gels or mix some sports drink in your bottles.

I used to ride with a faster, hillier group than I was really strong enough for. (I'd probably still be riding with them, but they no longer have a ride that starts near me.)

If you can tolerate a bit of frustration, you definitely get stronger. If getting dropped just makes you mad at them and at yourself, skip it. But one thing that took me a whole season to learn is that I needed nutrition on those harder rides. Because when I ran out, it didn't feel like hungry, it felt like TIRED and used up, and I thought I was just weak.

[Tuckervill]

I wouldn't do it. Trying to keep up would take all the fun out of it for me. Another 1000 miles in the saddle, then I MIGHT try it. But the ride looks daunting. I hope you find a group to ride with so you can ride at your pace.

[TsPoet]

Option 3 - ask the organizer what to do!
We have 2 local clubs, a "roadie" club and a "casual" club - both of them welcome newbies and assign someone to ride with them and help them out. The roadie club, though, only does this once, then you are expected to ride your level on your own. Still, they are supportive.
The casual club would not hesitate to welcome a newbie and carry them along for awhile.
So, find out what this group expects - are you expected to keep up? Do they all ride at their own pace then meet up along the way or at the end (as the local Roadie club does)? Do they have people willing to ride along with you and mentor you (as the local casual club does)?
A paceline is pretty serious business.
If you've done 1/2 the distance or more, I wouldn't worry about the distance, might be challenging but you can do it - but I would worry about the pace and expectations - a first time long distance requires you to pace yourself for the long haul, not for speed.

[Crankin]

I wouldn't do it, either. Find a group that rides at the pace you are at now.
When you are used to group riding, then try a slightly harder pace.
Cycling should be fun. You can work on improving speed in the mean time.
I know others might disagree. I would be the one crying and pissed if I couldn't keep up.
I solved this by finding a group where some of the riders are better than me and they often split off from the main group. I find I can hang with them (at the back) most of the time, but many times I choose not to.

[Bike Chick]

I think I would look for a slower group too. When the organizer told you the pace is 17-18, does that mean a 17-18 mph average or no faster than 17-18? There's a huge difference. I also know from experience that if the group is all guys, they will push each other to go faster. They can't help it, they are men and everything's a competition. There would be too much testerone for me and wouldn't be much fun--unless I could beat them up the hills

[Zen]

I wouldn't do it. Trying to keep up would take all the fun out of it for me.

^that.
You would not enjoy this ride, at least not yet.
Keep looking

[TxDoc]

Can you just take a couple of hours one of these days and ride the route on your own as a test? That way you have an assessment of where you are at this time, and that - along with learning more about this group's goals and practices - will tell you whether your current fitness and goals are in line with theirs.

You mentioned that you ride 15-16mph on your own - given the reduced effort when you ride in a paceline, I would guess that puts you in a comfortable average of 18-19mph when riding in a group. Of course it's a wild guess, not exact numbers - but especially if it's a good group (i.e. people who know what they are doing), they will make extra work to keep you protected while you learn.
Usually when there is a new cyclist in the group/team, the group takes extra share of workload and allows the new people to progressively participate to the pulls - so that they can learn without being overloaded on the first day. If the group is big enough they may even assign you a companion (or 2) for the first few rides - someone who rides in the group but has the specific task to protect you during the first rides. For example if you need to slow down and recover, or to take a break, he/she would then pull you back to the middle of the paceline and so on. And, those would also be the people who give you some hints and advice to help you improve your skills.

But really the best bet is trying out the route to see where you stand, and then try a group ride with them. If it works, you have found your new group - if not, chances are that some of those people may have been around bikes long enough to be able to recommend another group that is more in line with your goals.
Good luck!

Hey Marni, we are almost neighbors!!!
There's actually a bunch of good group rides in your area... I'm too lazy to drive up in the mornings, especially when I'm post-call... but some of my buddies ride around Katy and they have a lot of fun.
Are you doing the flatland century?

[bmccasland]

Owlie,
You will ride faster in a paceline, and enjoy the slip-stream. The line will slow on the hills, then reform. However, if being dropped will fustrate you to the point that it's no longer fun (you feel "abandoned"), or riding in a paceline is scary in itself, then I wouldn't do the ride. But chat with the ride organizer and find out about the ride, and the guys that do it.

Spin up the hills. Lower your gear and spin. No mashing.

(yeah right... Then there was the hill where I got off and walked because it was faster and I had a leg cramp. )