Remind me why I'm doing this??

[arielmoon]

I did my first century last fall and my longest ride going into it was 65 miles. Riding strong on shorter rides, I think, allowed me to do the century at a decent pace even with the additional miles. Also, the first 30 miles were a breeze due to the size and speed of the group like a big peleton just pulling us along. I think we averages 22+mph for that first 30 miles!

Riding with guys can suck but on the other hand, the guys I ride with regularly think riding with me sucks They dont like getting beat by a girl.

[Loraura]

A women's only group ride was suggested to me by a friend, and I've gone twice now. I've never ridden so hard for so long, but it was great. While I was by far the slowest/weakest rider, they didn't drop me. When I started to fall behind despite my max effort, a stronger rider would come along, put her arm around my waist and give me a boost. I wasn't expecting that. But boy did it make the difference between me quitting and calling DH to come get me, and sticking it out to the finish.

I know I'll get faster and stronger as I keep going back. It also has motivated me to work on my weaknesses between group rides.

I'm looking forward to the day I'm helping a weaker rider up a hill.

[ttaylor508]

A women's only group ride was suggested to me by a friend, and I've gone twice now. I've never ridden so hard for so long, but it was great. While I was by far the slowest/weakest rider, they didn't drop me. When I started to fall behind despite my max effort, a stronger rider would come along, put her arm around my waist and give me a boost. I wasn't expecting that. But boy did it make the difference between me quitting and calling DH to come get me, and sticking it out to the finish.

I know I'll get faster and stronger as I keep going back. It also has motivated me to work on my weaknesses between group rides.

I'm looking forward to the day I'm helping a weaker rider up a hill.

Sounds like you found a really awesome women's group!

[aicabsolut]

I regularly torture myself by riding with a group of hothead boys. Sometimes, they help me out if I'm lagging. Sometimes, they don't. Either way, so long as I can keep my cool, it makes me a stronger cyclist. There would be no way I could learn to hang on to a paceline going 28mph if I didn't train with them. However, I cannot do that every ride. Not just physically, but mentally. There are days where I need to do tempo or ride with the ladies or even ride solo. If I'm not feeling it, I cannot keep chasing down egotistical guys. It's miserable. Doing it fairly frequently the past year or so has made it a lot easier to keep up on a majority of the hills. I am also no longer the slowest a lot of the time, so while I may still get dropped, it's a little easier not being the only one getting dropped.

You need to figure out your food and fluids intake. You need to do some training that makes you happy. But if you have goals of improving drastically to one day be able to keep up with a group like this (my goal is to be a stronger racer, for example), then sometimes you also need to HTFU. Getting furious is totally understandable. If you do these kinds of ultra-challenging group rides, the suffering level is high.

This is from the perspective of someone who races and who enjoys the company of the guys (and so I would like to make riding with them more enjoyable). This kind of training is totally not necessary for making it through things like the MS150.

[spindizzy]

[QUOTE=aicabsolut;436631]. If I'm not feeling it, I cannot keep chasing down egotistical guys.



My coach (a guy in touch with his feminine) side calls those "ego-driven hammerfests."

Mayanorange
When I ride with a group, I'm generally the only woman. But there is a mix of abilities. Riding with stronger people will make you stronger; the suffering is great. It all depends on what you want. And it doesn't sound like the hammerfest is your type of riding right now.

[Miranda]

Oh my...(((hugs))) to you! I totally get it.

I went out something like your last ride w/a guy pal mtb. Omg, my body was in so much pain in ways my docs advised me against. All in the effort to 'keep up'. Totally failed. The worst pain came from sobbing so hard on the vehicle ride home. My soul was just crushed.

Thus, I just stayed riding alone post that. Was killing my will in ways too. Out of the blue... I run into an old aquaint that tells me she took up cycling. The group rides didn't work for her. Her DH is a hammer-head... they can't ride together as a couple etc.

Our first ride together had to be the best ride I've ever had since I re-found my love for a bike.

Before that, I have literally thought about starting my own ladies riding group thru my gym. Or just posting a bullentin board note somewhere for a pal to train for my first century. This is outta my ride pal's relm training wise for this season.

Do these hammerhead guys have any GFs etc. that need ride pals?

Food... I like Lara bars as a take along for food. Recently I have found that Club Crackers work great before a ride and post. I know that's not very high tech. But, they are salty. They are carbs. Digest easily. I mean really... I'd never thought a dumb lil salty cracker could work such wonders for me on hydration.

Chin up, GF... you are not alone!

[cylegoddess]

I have heard a local , nice guy rider warn me that ' the guys are pretty competitive'.

All I can add is, be happy you have your health. I can only ride around the block sometimes, so someone like you, esp being a woman knocks my socks off.
Your a trouper, and amazing and I have no doubt your heart in riding is a big and courageous one. Dont let it break over silly guys. They get that testosterone burst from heavy competition and that's a male advantage.
Every club ride for you ,is a stage race it sounds like!
Dont give up.
Someday, I swear I am riding on the 'big boys playground'( at least in back on intermediate rides) if I die trying!!! Viva la femme!!