First group ride

[fallstoclimb]

Going on my first group ride tonight....I'm super nervous. It's supposedly a social training ride "designed for cyclists of all abilities", but my husband called tonight and they said they average 15 mph, whereas I'm usually more in the 13 mph range. At least my husband will stick with me, but getting dropped will still be embarrassing/frustrating. Worse yet, I'm afraid I'll cause a crash or do something just plain stupid. About 50 riders are expected to show up, so I assume there will be some other women, but I'm still terrified.

Any tips? Plain old reassurance would also be welcomed!

[zoom-zoom]

You'll be great...in a group you'll be able to draft and 15mph will feel like 13. Plus there's that adrenaline bit, too!

[Pedal Wench]

Our club put together this sheet for group riding skills. Hope it helps! http://www.studio208.com/TOPRS.pdf

[roo4]

First, don't be embarrassed. I went with my local club and the pace was faster than advertised, but the sweeper guy and I had a good time. Toward the end the ride leader came back to be all encouraging and supportive and whatnot. Twenty years ago I would have been mortified to be the last rider, but now I just figured, well, I'm doing my best, if you don't want riders like me on your ride then don't advertise a 12-15 mph pace (I averaged 14.5 mph on the ride). Everyone was super friendly, even the people that I saw only briefly at the first stop.

So I guess my advice is to have fun and don't let it bother you if you are slower.

[fallstoclimb]

Thanks everyone. Here's one specific question -- my husband says we should stay near the middle of the pack, or we'll get dropped at the first hill. But I think we should stick near the back if I don't know what I'm doing, and most advice seems to agree with that. Am I right?

[ny biker]

If you stay near the middle but people behind you are faster, they will just pass you and you'll get dropped anyway.

There is no shame in being dropped. It happens to everyone. "Dropped" is my middle name. But there are some people that I am able to pass, too.

What group are you riding with? Is it a club or an LBS ride?

[fallstoclimb]

It's an LBS ride...The Thursday ride (obviously) here:

http://contesbikestores.com/articles...ides-pg758.htm

We've actually never even been to this LBS before, there's one closer to us but it doesn't have a ride.

[Possegal]

Hmmmm, that looks like a ride that I could try to do as well. Though I'm normally slower than a C rider, but I find that if I have to keep up with a faster pace, I usually can. I have been so bad about riding this summer and I really am not sure why. I keep thinking something like this will help get me back into it. I'm always glad once I'm riding, it's just the getting up and out part that I'm having trouble with.

I've got a gift certificate to this store, though have never been there yet myself either.

[Velocivixen]

I have thoughts on this topic and I can say that I don't do a lot of group rides because of your (initial poster's) fears.

Most LBS or organized group rides called "Beginner Pace" or "Social Pace" or "Leisure Ride" are truly NOT for beginners. Most rides are geared 14-16 mph average, which is not the pace most beginners ride (at least the ones I know). Often, but not always, the distance is 20-30 miles! Now come on! That is NOT a distance that beginners can ride.

Also, if you are new and fearful, I do NOT recommend that you try to "draft" off another cyclist. That skill needs to be developed and not something I would recommend for a first time rider. If you want to learn that you can do it alone with your husband and practice before doing it in a group.
I think that people who cycle a lot or who have been doing it for years forget what it's like to really be a beginner. Experienced riders often take for granted seemingly little tiny things that might be a HUGE deal to a newby.

So....go on the group ride with the goal to just show up and finish. Anything you achieve, this first ride, beyond that is gravy. Have fun and please let us know how it goes.

[withm]

Hey! All those rides go right by my old house in Bethesda! Next time I'm in DC, I'll have to try one of those routes; they should be pretty good. Have fun!

[jelee1311]

Don't worry you will be fine. Especially if you are riding with your husband and he is experienced. Is this ride a group or regroup?if its a group they will have a sweeper from the club riding last to make sure no one gets left behind. If its a regroup they will have cue sheets and stops.This sounds like you may have people of all levels so don't worry about a hammerfest. Let people know this is your first group ride. Most people are nice and helpful on the rides I go on. Don't be embarrassed, sometimes you are last.. Just have fun and meet new people.

[CyborgQueen]

Hey Jessie. How did it go today??? We both reached a milestone tonight.

I have been cycling for two years and I finally went to my bike club's Thurs night rides. Moderate paced with some hills (no way to avoid 3-5% grade or more hills in Vegas). I wasn't dropped and there was someone always with me when I was struggling climbing the hills. However I showed off my speed going down. I normally avg 14 per ride for a long time. Tonight I was pleasantly surprised I did 15.6 including going 41.4 mph. I was last, but I didn't care. I totally rocked that ride and got out of my comfort zone!

My group has beginner instructional rides a couple times a month. 10 miles for first loop then those who want to do more can do another 10 miles. I'm a little too advanced to ride (12mph max avg) but I'm the sweeper. It comes to a full circle!


Tell us how you did!
I personally believe that you become a better and faster cyclist being with groups, especially those that host a wide range of abilities. Just keep a lookout for beginner rides, instructional rides and C rides. All of these rides, you will not be dropped, so who cares if you're last.

[fallstoclimb]

Overall, the ride was pretty great! I spent the first 5 miles booking it as fast as I could, killing myself to keep within sights of the group, when we finally lost them for good at a light. BUT the two ride leaders (both women, which was nice!) took turns hanging back with us for the first half, and one of them began to teach me drafting, which I understood in concept but had never actually done before. For the second half, a regular and a ride leader hung back with us and we did a little 4-person paceline, which was a great introduction to it -- not at all scary, and a lot of fun. Around the 19 mile mark they made sure we knew the rest of the way back and took off, so I checked my average speed because I knew it was about to decrease dramatically -- it was 16.7! I've never averaged more than 15.7 (that was a flat 13 mile ride), and it's usually more in the 13 mph range. Of course the last couple of miles back alone the adrenaline died off, my legs cramped up and my average speed dropped to 15.7, but I'm still pretty freaking proud of myself.

Thanks for encouraging me to get out there guys! Not sure I would've done it otherwise (like honestly, right before we got there I was so scared I was ready to bail but I didn't want to come back here and have to admit that's what happened!). I'm glad I went. Later I'll write a more detailed recap on my blog and post a link, in case anyone is interested.

[fallstoclimb]

OK -- here's the link:

http://ladyroadie.blogspot.com/2011/...roup-ride.html

[CyborgQueen]

Fantastic JOB!!! The more you ride with them, the better you will be.

Love the Blog! :-)