group cycling?

[Swan]

I've been approached by other cyclists wanting to ride in groups. I happily signed up, even though we were of differing cycling classes; I ride a WalMart bike and don't have any lycra outfits or super fancy doodads on my bike.... and they all look like they've biked their way right out of a Tour de France magazine or something. They were aware of the differences before asking me to join them for rides.
Anyway, I immediately noticed that I can't ride as fast as these folk. If I can manage to match their speed, I can't ride as far.
I can tell they get a little annoyed and don't like to wait around (they often don't, which I think defeats the purpose of riding in groups). I tried to excuse myself from the group since I was holding them back and building an ill rapport because of my low stamina, but they told me to not be silly! But I feel awful now and don't enjoy the rides at all because I know I don't fit in, and I'm always left behind on a trail they set. At this point I'd rather do my own thing, but I also don't want to alienate myself from other cyclists in our town.

Do any of you ride in groups? What is your experience with the group-riding pasttime? What would you do in this situation?

[Irulan]

You need to look for groups or rides that subdivide by speed/ability/distance.

[TigerMom]

I personally would also wait until I was a better rider with a better bike.

In the meantime, find someone who rides your pace and style.

Otherwise, both you and your current group riders will be miserable and all of you are too kind to really say anything.

[Norse]

You need to look for groups or rides that subdivide by speed/ability/distance.

+1

Don't be deterred - find a group that rides at your level. If your not sure where to look, try asking around at local bike shops, the Y, try Googling. Keep riding!

[Kernyl]

You could also look into a beginner group riding clinic if you are still interested in group riding. Try checking out some local shops and see if they offer anything. There might be more beginners there that would be closer to your speed and maybe you could form your own group.

[marni]

after years of not being able to find a group that did a somewhat slower but longer ride (ie 40-60 iles over 4+hours as opposed to 20 miles in an hour) I have become resigned to riding alone and doing my own thing. In an abstract sort of way it makes me feel much more self confident and self reliant to know that I can do that distance out in the country and handle whatever comes my way as far as loose animals, dogs, road trash, flats, etc. I have found one woman who rides with me once a month whose pace matches mine, but for the rest of the time I ride solo or do charity rides for group riding .

Maybe you should consider doing a solo regimented training program for a while working on speed and endurance while riding so you can take your own pace to build up to the speed that the group rides and then rejoin the group.

[kajero]

I am starting my own group for slower riders on Meetup.com. Perhaps you could do that, too.

I also talked to the LBS where I bought my bike. They only have fast rides. I said that a lot of women bought bikes from them and they should have some slower rides. He told me all their rides are done with volunteers, not the bike shop employess. He said I could set up rides if I wanted to.

Part of the reason I crashed a year ago was because I riding with a group that I was not competent to ride with. They were too fast for me. They all wear clipless shoes as well which gives them a few extra mph. I will ride fast sometimes but not in a group.

[Giulianna23]

I am starting my own group for slower riders on Meetup.com. Perhaps you could do that, too.

I also talked to the LBS where I bought my bike. They only have fast rides. I said that a lot of women bought bikes from them and they should have some slower rides. He told me all their rides are done with volunteers, not the bike shop employess. He said I could set up rides if I wanted to.

Part of the reason I crashed a year ago was because I riding with a group that I was not competent to ride with. They were too fast for me. They all wear clipless shoes as well which gives them a few extra mph. I will ride fast sometimes but not in a group.

I started a regular ride on Fridays as well for slow riders. Even though I love speed and attend a few rides during the week with people way faster than me (I do it because I like to compete and push myself) I also enjoy the slow and relaxed rides. So I have put together a ride once a week on one of the meetup groups in my area where the organizer made me an Event Host of that page. My only concern is that even though I make it clear that it is a ride for beginners and slow riders just for fun and enjoy the outdoors...I still get people showing up with carbon bikes and all dress up like if they going for the Tour of France...and the thing is that these people even if they try to go slow....they can't...and I understand why ...I even have moments that I dont notice I am getting ahead of the others but quickly realize it and I slow down. But there are others that just cant do it but they show up to these meetings and then others that can go a little faster try to go fast and then the group kind of get divided. I always stay with the slow group but I am not sure how to approach this with the faster riders in a way so they dont get ofended. I mean the page have rides for all taste and levels all week long!...Hilly rides...fast pace rides...beginners and instructional rides...mine's just for fun!..

[indysteel]

I started a regular ride on Fridays as well for slow riders. Even though I love speed and attend a few rides during the week with people way faster than me (I do it because I like to compete and push myself) I also enjoy the slow and relaxed rides. So I have put together a ride once a week on one of the meetup groups in my area where the organizer made me an Event Host of that page. My only concern is that even though I make it clear that it is a ride for beginners and slow riders just for fun and enjoy the outdoors...I still get people showing up with carbon bikes and all dress up like if they going for the Tour of France...and the thing is that this people even if they try to go slow....they can't...and I understand why ...I even have moments that I dont notice I am getting ahead of the others but quickly realize it and I slow down. But there are others that just cant do it but they show up to this meetings and then others that can go a little faster try to go fast and then the group kind of get divided. I always stay with the slow group but I am not sure how to approach this with the faster riders in a way so they dont get ofended. I mean the page have rides for all taste and levels all week long!...Hilly rides...fas pace rides...beginners and instructional rides...mine's just for fun!..

Hey, Guilianna, that's really nice of you to lead a ride like that. I found one of your ride announcements and while it does make the mph clear, I would just add some language that makes it clear that your goal is to have the group stick together for a social ride at the stated pace. Encourage those that wish to ride faster than the stated pace to find a different ride. At the start of the ride, restate your goal. Don't worry about being rude, especially since there are MORE than enough group ride offerings every day of the week in Indy.

Gosh; I need to get on my bike. Between the weather and a vacation from which we just returned, I've ridden all of once this year. Shameful!