My first group ride...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Congrats, Lisa SH! I'm glad it worked out so well for you.

It looks like I'm (finally) going on my first even ride on Saturday, and I'm a tad nervous about that. I'm wondering how wacked out it will be, since I'm only accustomed to riding alone or with my husband, just like you.

I'll be right here rootin' for you, girl!!!

[mimitabby]

another nice thing about group rides, creepy drivers tend to leave large groups alone.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

another nice thing about group rides, creepy drivers tend to leave large groups alone.

Interestingly, the only sour note for the day was when we 5 were cycling down the two way main street going through a small town (main street being about 3 blocks long). We were going down our lane single file, parked cars on our right, double yellow line on our left, and no shoulder, just the sidewalks. A car came the other way down main street, towards us, and passed by in his own lane, and we were nowhere near him or or his lane of course. As he passed, the driver, in his 50's with a really red angry face yelled out his open window at us "GET OFF THE F___ING ROAD!!!!". We were pretty amazed. I suspect he may have spontaneously exploded further down the road, and if so, he won't be bothering anyone anymore.

[Batbike]

Lisa, I am VERY HAPPY your group ride went well for you and DH!! I agree, group rides can be intimidating when you don't know what to expect - so glad yours was a good experience! Once you find the "right group", group rides can be really fun because you get to know more people and may even help someone or learn a thing or two to help you with your own cycling ... all good!

As for the "pointing things out and yelling car back", that is pretty standard in road group rides. Personally, I ride on skinny tires but don't point out everything -- just those things that could really damage someone such as road kill, tree limbs, large rocks, and potholes/road dips. As for "Car Back", I get tired of always saying it and there is many a time where I will yell "lots of cars back and they still keep coming!" ... then I quit yelling. Most of the time, everyone else stops calling too unless there is a long lull in traffic and a car pops-up or a large truck, boat, etc. is coming. Also, I have noticed we use the "car back" alot when the group tends to get wider than single file or starts to wander into the lane a little more than we should ... just to try and keep everyone aware of surroundings and safe. Of course there are those who will constantly point and yell throughout the ride and it is nice to have them along because without them we may all run into something and hit a car!!

Welcome to group riding!!!

[Kimmyt]

I think the main thing about calling objects and cars is because if you're in a true paceline then you won't be able to see, well, anything other than the hips and bum of the one in front of you. So if there is something to see, they need to alert you, likewise, the last person on the line will be the first to know about a car and can oftentimes be the only way the people up front can be prepared for one coming up.

Calling out every car, though, on a busy road... well it does get old. Unless it's something large and shoulder-hogging like a trash truck or schoolbus...

Anyway glad your ride went well!

K.

[DarcyInOregon]

Lisa, it is great your adventure turned out to be so pleasant. It is a good attribute to possess, and that is to always try something new, then make a decision about it after having had the experience.

For those of you who said you bike the same roads, just go onto Mapquest, input your starting point, and from there zoom in on the map and hit the NSWE buttons to follow different roads. This way you can map out all sorts of new routes to bike on. Try the new roads, and if the roads are not feasible, then try other roads. Cycling should always be fun and an adventure.

Lisa, if you don't have this link, review the event rides at this site. New events are added all the time, so you need to review the site once a week or so. Input the name of your state, and the site will tell you all of the event rides for your state. Go on one ride and see how you like it.

http://www.bikeride.com/calendar/events.asp

Darcy

[Jo-n-NY]

Lisa,

I enjoyed reading your report of your first group ride. It surprised me also yelling out "car back" and pointing out problems in the road the when I rode with the club last year. Needless to say when I followed suit and felt like quite the cyclist.

I am happy it turned out to be an enjoyable experience for you and your dh.

~ JoAnn