What do you think...should I give this group ride a try?

[Jolt]

I think I've found a better group ride to start off with. The local chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club, of which I am a member, has Tuesday night show-and-go rides that are specifically labeled as beginner rides that go at the pace of the slowest person (that likely being me). The distance is about the same as that shop ride. Sounds less likely to be a bad experience, and the one this week is in a town with which I am somewhat familiar. If the weather cooperates and I decide to do this one, I'll be sure to post a report!

[Geonz]

Great!! We'll look forward to hearing it ... it's an awful lot nicer if you're starting out when there's a *leader.*

[Jolt]

Great!! We'll look forward to hearing it ... it's an awful lot nicer if you're starting out when there's a *leader.*

I called and talked to the leader for Tuesday's ride, and she said nobody gets dropped, the speed is usually 10-12 mph and people aren't so close together that it's dangerous if somebody swerves. When I asked her if it was OK that I'll be riding a hybrid, she said she will be on one as well so that won't be any problem. The fact that I'm guaranteed not to be the only female also makes me feel better about this one. Now, let's just hope the weather is good on Tuesday night as the current forecast indicates and that I don't discover some unforeseen mechanical problem!

[Geonz]

As the weather goddess, I shall attempt to arrange the weather as forecast for you (tho' it's hard to do MA from here!). SOunds like a very good fit.

[Crankin]

Jolt, you will be perfect for the AMC "easy" ride. I am a leader for the Boston chapter, but I also ride/lead with the Worcester chapter at times. Some people come on the intermediate level rides I lead with hybrids, once in awhile on a mtb. I am always amazed at how some of them can drop me. The chair of the Boston bike committee rides a hybrid that must weigh 35 pounds, with a pannier on it, too. He rides about the same speed as me, so riding a hybrid definitely makes you strong.

Have fun tomorrow night. The weather will be perfect.

[Jolt]

Jolt, you will be perfect for the AMC "easy" ride. I am a leader for the Boston chapter, but I also ride/lead with the Worcester chapter at times. Some people come on the intermediate level rides I lead with hybrids, once in awhile on a mtb. I am always amazed at how some of them can drop me. The chair of the Boston bike committee rides a hybrid that must weigh 35 pounds, with a pannier on it, too. He rides about the same speed as me, so riding a hybrid definitely makes you strong.

Have fun tomorrow night. The weather will be perfect.

Thank goodness for better weather--I don't know about you, but I was about to go stir-crazy with the four solid days of cold rain! Let's just say that there was something rotten in the state of Massachusetts this weekend, and it was the weather!