Group Ride Etiquette Dilemma

[Skierchickie]

It sounds like you did just fine. Sometimes if I'm behind someone who just keeps pulling and doesn't peel off, I offer to pull any time they want, just to let them know I'm not intentionally being a slug. I do wish people would just peel off - it seems so much more logical and efficient than having to sprint for the front.

I'm thinking this is a good spot to mention (and I'm not in any way suggesting that you said anything wrong) to always be careful what you say in a situation like that. I have a friend who tends to say things that make me want to punch her in the nose when she's feeling good and I'm not. Things like "I didn't really want to drop you, but I just couldn't go that slow", or, "That's okay, sometimes l like to go really slow, so I can work on my technique". Things that to her seem perfectly innocent, but when I'm struggling they sound snarky and belittling. My DH notices the same thing, so it isn't just me. When I'm struggling to keep up, I really don't need to hear that I'm too slow - I already feel bad enough about the struggling. And then it just makes me that much happier (in an evil way insert devil smilie here) on the days when I can put the hurt on her.

Personally, I think climbing hills is something you have to do at your own pace, and that regrouping is the best way. However, I do most of my riding alone, and rarely with more than about 2 other people. So I'm, not a group-ride authority.

[luv'nAustin]

I just have to ask, is this the Dam Loop and the long climb up 360 to finish the ride?

I used to ride this route and every week we did Bee Caves and I would usually climb faster than my group. No one minded and I would just slow down at the top of a hill and wait...sometimes I would get a couple of hills ahead of the group but I would always wait.

You really do need to get up the hills on your own and it's nice when you do find someone that rides them at the same pace...especially on windy days when you can share the workload.

[RolliePollie]

I don't think you did anything wrong. I am a slow-but-steady hill climber and I always expect other riders to pass me. I don't want to hold anyone up, so if someone is faster than me, I prefer if they go on ahead. And if I happen to be faster on a hill than another rider in the group, I'll usually go ahead and pass. In most recreational group ride situations, I would personally rather climb the hill at my own pace have everyone re-group at the top.

Last fall I did a really difficult metric century in the mountains where I was the only woman in a group of about 15. I was definitely the weakest rider in the group. Luckily the group stopped pretty regularly to re-group, and I'd catch up. I was really happy with this because I wasn't holding anyone else back yet I was still able to keep up and finish with the group.

[fidlfreek]

Luv'nAustin - Dam Loop? Huh?

[Aggie_Ama]

Luvn- She is not from Austin so I doubt she was on the dam loop.

Fidl- The dam loop is one of the more (barf) popular Austin road rides. It is hilly but I say barf because DH and I have both had more than enough evil motorists on it to last a lifetime. Become a real stressful ride for me because the traffic is so scary.

[fidlfreek]

Aggie: The dam loop is probably doubly ruined because it was featured in January's Bicycling Mag.