How to get faster? or maybe just ride alone?

[DebTX]

What a perfect thread for this newbie to read!
I was just reading a listing of group rides in my area, and kept seeing the phrase "no drop" and had no idea what it meant. Their slowest group though was 12-15 mph, and I don't think I'm there yet (probably more like 10-12).

So I'm guessing, "no drop" means that one poor soul would have to lag behind with me? I'll probably keep training until I can get to an average of 12 MPH (with hills included). Then maybe I'll look toward a "slow group".

[aicabsolut]

What a perfect thread for this newbie to read!
I was just reading a listing of group rides in my area, and kept seeing the phrase "no drop" and had no idea what it meant. Their slowest group though was 12-15 mph, and I don't think I'm there yet (probably more like 10-12).

So I'm guessing, "no drop" means that one poor soul would have to lag behind with me? I'll probably keep training until I can get to an average of 12 MPH (with hills included). Then maybe I'll look toward a "slow group".

Depending on how many hills you face (and how slowly you go on the hills), you can probably keep up with that group. Remember that with the benefit of the draft, it is much easier (takes less energy) to maintain speeds a bit higher than you'd be able to on your own. Although you may be expected to take a pull, you really don't have to as a newbie--you can just sit in the group or pull off quickly when you get to the front. So if you think you could make it on the low end of the pace solo, you should have no problem with a group. I just threw that in there about hills, because you won't get nearly the same benefit of drafting uphill at a slow pace as you do on the flats, but you may get some (if you can really stick on someone's wheel). So, if you have a lot of hills to deal with, then the group could be a struggle. Alternatively, if there aren't that many tough hills, you'd probably find that a no-drop group like that will regroup at the top of the bigger, longer climbs, because the group will inevitably be split up. In that case, you shouldn't worry about joining the group either.

[BarbaraAlys]

aicabsolut wrote:

Depending on how many hills you face (and how slowly you go on the hills), you can probably keep up with that group. Remember that with the benefit of the draft, it is much easier (takes less energy) to maintain speeds a bit higher than you'd be able to on your own. Although you may be expected to take a pull, you really don't have to as a newbie

In the clubs I've been in, the beginer groups (cruzers, novice, 'tweeners") don't form pace lines that give you the bennies of drafting. I've been riding for a few years now and have never felt confidnet enough to get close enough to benefit from someone's pull.

However, don't feel like you can't join a group because some poor person is going to have to wait with you. They volunteer to do that, and often are the kind of people who enjoy watching newer riders develop. I think that one of the best ways to get your speed up to that first threshold of 12mph is a group. The comradery, the advise, the conversation distracting you from your biking worries, all help you get more confident.

Barbara