Quote Originally Posted by silver View Post
I'd never pulled a "paceline" before and was apprehensive when it was my turn. I found that I usually pulled up with too much power and pulled out ahead. As the only woman, I felt that I had to make extra sure that I wasn't holding the group back and I think that I over did it? how do you know how hard to pull? Also, how do you know when it's your turn to pull up front?

Then at one point I was really dragging and told them that I couldn't pull for a bit. Mr. took a couple of my turns while I gathered strength. Is that OK?
I'm hardly an expert but here's my 2 cents.

Don't worry about being the only woman! You'll be much better off staying at a sensible pace! (I did a century ride last summer with a group I only knew part of- there were 2 women and 5 men- in the first half some of the men kept pushing to stay at the front of the group- by about mile 70 they had been solidly dropped.)

In general, it's your turn to pull when the leader pulls off to the side to let the rest of the group by.

One way to judge how hard to pull is to watch the average speed- it should stay roughly the same with anyone out front (of course this only works if the conditions stay roughly the same). But, make sure you also remember- if you're out in front- you call the shots- you can speed things up or slow things down.

I think a purist would say you don't skip your turn- you just slow the pace down or take a short turn (but IMO in a casual group- if you're feeling tired skip a turn).

Have fun!