Last Place in Bike Tour

[featuretile]

I do not just ride on the weekends. I ride 3 or 4 times a week between 20-35 miles and it is part of my lifestyle. My odometer just topped 2700 miles on my road bike (the tour was on my Bike Friday) and I wore out my first set of tires. I am fortunate to live in CA where there is no 'cycling season'. I can ride all year except when it's raining. On the other hand, my tall, long-legged husband only rides once a week sometimes. Is it those man muscles that makes it so much easier for him?

Anyway, the dilemma is that I really like the rides planned by this group, but while I was on it, at times I was wondering what I was doing there. I think it is the psychological part that makes it difficult. I know that I need to ride more, and I know I should not compare myself to other people. When the slower people showed up those 2 days, I was actually in the front of the slow group.

Even with regular club rides, there seems to be no 'middle' group. Regulars are too fast and beginners are too slow for me. I do have a few friends here who ride like me and those rides feel great. I am just not that crazy about riding alone. And if I was to ride every day, I would have to ride alone.

[tulip]

I agree with Mr. Bloom. It is a TOUR, not a RACE. The fact that your fellow riders can't understand that is not your fault.

Were you given cue sheets so that you could go at your own pace? If not, you should arrange to have those in future rides. That way, the faster people can go at their pace, and you can go at yours, and no one has to wait or feel like they can't keep up.

I assume that this trip was organized to be a fun tour. It sounds like it has not been for you. I see that as a problem with the tour organizers, given that you ride with them regularly and they presumably invited you on the tour.

What parts of Virginia did you ride through?

BTW, this is a perfect example of how YOU can control your responses to the people around you. You cannot make the other riders slow down, but you can choose to talk to them about it, or let it go. Why add to your unhappiness by beating yourself up?

[shootingstar]

Even with regular club rides, there seems to be no 'middle' group. Regulars are too fast and beginners are too slow for me. I do have a few friends here who ride like me and those rides feel great. I am just not that crazy about riding alone. And if I was to ride every day, I would have to ride alone.

Didn't mean to offend featuretile that you didn't ride often per week.

Great that you have some friends to ride often. Sounds like having supportive person in sight is motivating for you.

I'm not sure what to recommend since you don't want to ride alone.

Part of being slower than a faster pack is learning to be comfortable with oneself on the bike either solo or at least with your DH or friend around if you are unfamiliar with the route.

My dearie has been away in the U.S. for nearly a month now. All the riding I've done daily....has been solo.

But I'll be joining him just north of Seattle this weekend and we'll ride home together to Vancouver.