Stuck in the middle

[SJCzar]

I ride with one group that are fairly slow recreational riders but alot of fun to hang around with. The same club also has a much faster group that rides on a different night. I've started riding with that group as well,and have found enough middle-of-the-road riders to join in so that we can just split up into mini groups and all still get the workout that we're looking for. The fastest riders in the group tend to average around 22mph, but now there are just as many who stick around 17-18. Some of these people had been scared off previously but now are enjoying showing up since they won't be left on their own.

Maybe you can get a few of the faster B- riders to join you in the B-B+ group and you'll all get more of a challenge.

[teigyr]

I think you rode well. Obviously the slower group wasn't challenging you and it might be comforting but sometimes you have to push beyond those boundaries even if it means not feeling so good about yourself.

I don't know if the guy was patronizing you or not (I often get the same feeling from people when I'm upset!) but you know what you're capable of.

Is difficult to say because you're at a far upper level than I am. I do know that for me, it's all in perception. Say you're in the lower group and are in front and feel like you are incredible when you finish. You could have a higher average with the higher group and feel worse about yourself because of how you finish.

So I'd say maybe go 50/50. Ignore your demons sometimes but give yourself a break other times.

[stacie]

Come on Kimmy. Get up, brush yourself off and do it again next week. Maybe you'll hang on half way. Maybe 3/4. Everytime make it a little further. You may have set back weeks. But, you'll never make it if you keep riding the other ride. Life's lessons are learned from our failures, not our successes. How did you get disconnected? Make the changes you need to make and survive a little longer next time. I'm rooting for you.

[indysteel]

I think it's great that you branched out and tried to ride with the faster group, and I definitely think you should keep trying. I bet you'll find that you'll keep up longer each time and, in any event, it sounds like you got dropped because of factors our of your control anyway. That said, I know how demoralizing it can be to be left behind, having been there myself. Recently.

I'd tell you to not beat yourself up, but that's easier said than done. When I'm with a friend who's beating herself up I always say, "hey, that's my friend you're talking about." So, try to be as encouraging to yourself as you would be to your best friend. And you go girl!

[Andrea]

Stick with it!! Go back every week, and be tenacious! You might get dropped over and over, but there will come a day when you hang on the whole time. Then the day will come that you start to feel "hemmed in" by that group, and you'll be eyeing the A group.

One of the best ways to get better is to ride with people that are faster than you. I did it last summer- I started going to a 40 mile ride that's frequented by alot of men who race, and was dropped over and over and over. Each time, I was able to hold on a little longer. Now, I don't get dropped... In fact, I attack the guys in a couple of spots! Just don't give up!

[Batbike]

yep! if you ride slow you will be slow -- if you chase the faster people, you may not ever catch them, but you will get faster trying ...

i am a solid B rider by most bike riding standards ... there are ALWAYS and i mean ALWAYS people who will and can ride faster, harder, stronger than me!! i love that -- encourages me to keep trying!! on the other hand, there are ALWAYS people who are slower than me, if only on a climb or descent, not entire ride, and i have been told that i encourage them (always surprises me, but nice to hear) !

be encouraged, not discouraged ... it is all on how you look at it!!

[pooks]

I've only read these boards and have never done a group ride but here's what I think ( ) from what you've said:

1) It's an excellent situation because they didn't drop you; the group leader stayed with you. How often do we read about rides where people get dropped even when they weren't supposed to?

2) You've said you are really pretty sure he wasn't being patronizing, and I'm glad to know that, because my feeling was that if he thought you were overreaching he wouldn't want to encourage you and would probably have suggested you do (whatever) before trying that group again.

3) Listen to these women. They know what they're talking about.

4) Congrats! Look at what you did -- you reached for a tougher ride, and kept up for at least 1/2, and your main prob was that you got separated from the group or you might not have had to deal with the emotional baggage and might have held your ground!

[smilingcat]

it can be discouraging to be dropped like that and psychology does have an impact on how you ride. I would suggest that you give it few more times.

Being light does help to a point; but, like sunshine says, you need weight for strength. And its the balance between the two to be a good climber.

And being light, you are definitely disadvantaged on downhill where the heavy person is able to carry the speed.

Once you get dropped because of traffic light, it can be almost impossible to catch up. They are in a group drafting each other and you are not.

Overall, I think you did pretty well. So give it a few more times.

so don't beat yourself too much,
Smilingcat