So, I go for a group ride on Saturday.

At the starting point, 2 different groups meet up. 1 group is the fast one that averages 16-18 mph (last year, when I tried to ride with them, I averaged 17 mph and could barely see the last rider!), and the other group is the distance builder that averages 13-16 mph.

We start out. I am in between the 2 groups, fighting a vicious 15-25 mph headwind. One lady slows down to fall back into the slower group. I decide to keep with my speed and ride my ride ("You can do it", "You are a strong rider").

At 20 miles we stop at the first rest stop. This is where I am going to meet up with the groups I SHOULD be with. Somehow I have mingled with the fast group, and I am the only other girl there.

So, I ask, "They will be showing up here, right? Like last time?". They reply, "Oh no. The distance builders won't be coming here." CRAP!

Then I am stuck with riding with the fast group. Which is fine... for up to 30 miles, but I can'tkeep their average after that.

I make it to the next rest stop, around mile 30. Luckily, some of the riders took a longer route and are behind me. A couple of the guys were nice and let me draft off them into the headwind.

We take off again. I hang with them for a little while, and then the pack is gone! Again... luckily... 2 of the guys are seriously not in shape to keep up with the group... so we all hang together for the last 17 miles.

Ugh. I wish I stayed with the group I wanted to ride with. I also wish that I could ride fast for more than 30 miles!

Who else here has gotten in the wrong group on a ride? I tell you what, if it hadn't been for those 2 guys who were tired, I would have been dropped and lost.