I've been biking on and off for the better part of a year. Or perhaps I should say I've been riding a road bike for the better part of a year - I don't know that my first few months of attempts actually counted as real biking LOL.

My brother has been biking for 25+ years, races mountain bikes, does duathalons, etc - and he says that if I want to improve, I need a coach. Any input on this? I can't imagine racing or doing a triathalon (I can't run or swim, so pretty sure that isn't going to happen), but I'd like to be able to ride better, faster, and longer. My goal for this year is to do a metric century, for next year to do a full century, and also to look at a group ride that is marked "easy" and not wonder if I will be able to keep up with the group.

So, just ride a lot? A real coach? Classes? Do they even offer beginning biking classes for adults? How does one go about finding any of those options locally?

Help please .

TIA!.