Total Newbie

[BarbaraAlys]

Congrats on getting into riding and tackling a charity ride right off the bat!

Those rides can be a lot of fun. If you have not done a group ride yet it might be a good idea to go find a local bike club and go ride with them one day. There are 'rules of the road' that you can learn, as well as get the feel of having more bikes around you than just you and your husband. The most challenging part of a large organized ride is often the start. You all bunch up, waiting for someone to say 'go' then you all try to get going. Sounds easy, but each person is 'going' in a slightly different manner and pace, invariabley there are spills. when in that big group just keep an eye out for the people in front of you suddenly slowing (or falling), and try to keep distance between you and them. I always end up in the back anyway (slow rider) so I don't try to be in the front at the start.

Drink plenty of water, stop at the rest stop even if you think you don't need to, and have fun with it.

Barbara

[mydisneydollars]

Congrats on getting into riding and tackling a charity ride right off the bat!

Those rides can be a lot of fun. If you have not done a group ride yet it might be a good idea to go find a local bike club and go ride with them one day. There are 'rules of the road' that you can learn, as well as get the feel of having more bikes around you than just you and your husband. The most challenging part of a large organized ride is often the start. You all bunch up, waiting for someone to say 'go' then you all try to get going. Sounds easy, but each person is 'going' in a slightly different manner and pace, invariabley there are spills. when in that big group just keep an eye out for the people in front of you suddenly slowing (or falling), and try to keep distance between you and them. I always end up in the back anyway (slow rider) so I don't try to be in the front at the start.

Drink plenty of water, stop at the rest stop even if you think you don't need to, and have fun with it.

Barbara

Thanks I am a slow rider too. I am so excited and really nervous too.

[Tabby]

Hi Theresa and Barbara,

I started riding in April, but so far it has just been with 1 or 2 other riders. Tonight is my first group ride/cookout ... I'm taking the baked beans!! I've done a few trail days w/this group and worked the fast laps race they did in May, but my rides have been just me and a mentor or two.

I'm very excited but a slow rider, so I will just start at the back of the pack to begin with. My second group ride is Friday, which is suppose to be a night ride, but I'll go early to finish in daylight w/a couple others. I don't think I'm ready to tackle nights! The park naturalist is gonna do a 'lecture' on "flyers at night" (the birds and bats) and I'm sure other critters. So after a daylight ride, I'll listen and learn about the critters.

I'm in Columbus, Ohio, but will be riding over by Springfield an hours drive.
PJ

[Tuckervill]

Don't start at the back! You'll likely be staged behind the riders doing a longer distance anyway. If you start at the back you'll have the demoralizing feeling of seeing everyone pull away from you.

If you start in the front of the 25 milers, then you will be with a group longer. You might get swept along quite a ways and it will be much more fun. You will be passed a lot--don't let it bother you. You'll probably find out you're not as slow as you thought you were!

Have fun and good luck!

Karen

[littlegrasshopp]

Tuckervill - Great advice. I never thought of it that way!

[mydisneydollars]

That is really awesome advice. I would love to do a night ride. Maybe when I get better and I am seasoned more. I just love this forum you all are really nice and full of info.

[BarbaraAlys]

See, I found it much more demoralizing to have every one passing me! the important thing is to not get hung up in the crowd with everyone, for me. I'm not adept enough to get around a fallen rider quickly.

That night ride sounds like fun.