First Group Ride.. Please Help!

[withm]

It's a coffeeshop ride. 5 miles there, get some tea and scones and 5 miles back. I met the leader, he assured me it was a casual no rider left behind ride. So it doesn't seem terribly scary now that I'm adjusting to the idea

Don't over think this. It's just a 1/2 hour ride to the coffee shop with other people. If the ride leader has assured you that its a casual ride, give him a chance to demonstrate that. If the group leader is any good, he/she will explain the game plan before the ride, and will likely make sure everyone is introduced and go over the details.

On the other hand, if this doesn't happen, introduce yourself to the first person, and the next, and the next. If they start the ride without saying where you are going, or how you are going to get there, or seem to be lacking in other preliminaries (helmets, signals, etc.) ASK. The other riders may assume that you know what they know - which may be everything - or nothing.

If they don't do this, then ask yourself if you really want to ride with them.

[FunSize]

I live in Greenville, too!!! I've only ridden in a group a couple of times, too. When i did it was a really small group though. Like... 7 people with no paceline. It was also all women, i knew none of them. I just showed up introduced myself, my bike that's too big for me, and said I knew nothing about riding a bike with more than one other person. When summer starts i would definitely recommend this group. It's women's only aand leaves from Furman University.

When i rode with them I just sat close to the back of the group so i could see everyone and just followed the person in front of me. I didn't try to get too close to her since we weren't really going that fast. They stopped at every stop sign and yelled out and pointed to any hazards in the road.

Are you going to be riding on the Swamp Rabbit Trail? If you are riding on the trail, there shouldn't be a lot of traffic on a Monday unless its nice out. It's a little narrow for a group to ride on, so just keep an eye out for oncoming bike path traffic, bikes or otherwise. Especially if you're going to be passing another person or riding beside them. Otherwise just keep to the right.

If its a Monday ride, might it be the one leaving from Great Escape? If you are, just be aware that most of the roads are busier on that side on Greenville. Stay close to the side of the road but be aware of potholes and trash in the road.

I agree with Indysteel and withm. The leader should describe the ride and commands before the ride. Especially if he knows you're new to group rides. There are plenty of rides in the Greenville area, so if one does not work for you, there will for sure be another that does.

[Glory]

Yes, it is the one from Great Escape. Nothing like diving in feet first huh? On the other hand riding in the city terrifies me so a group ride might be just the thing.

I live in Greenville, too!!! I've only ridden in a group a couple of times, too. When i did it was a really small group though. Like... 7 people with no paceline. It was also all women, i knew none of them. I just showed up introduced myself, my bike that's too big for me, and said I knew nothing about riding a bike with more than one other person. When summer starts i would definitely recommend this group. It's women's only aand leaves from Furman University.

When i rode with them I just sat close to the back of the group so i could see everyone and just followed the person in front of me. I didn't try to get too close to her since we weren't really going that fast. They stopped at every stop sign and yelled out and pointed to any hazards in the road.

Are you going to be riding on the Swamp Rabbit Trail? If you are riding on the trail, there shouldn't be a lot of traffic on a Monday unless its nice out. It's a little narrow for a group to ride on, so just keep an eye out for oncoming bike path traffic, bikes or otherwise. Especially if you're going to be passing another person or riding beside them. Otherwise just keep to the right.

If its a Monday ride, might it be the one leaving from Great Escape? If you are, just be aware that most of the roads are busier on that side on Greenville. Stay close to the side of the road but be aware of potholes and trash in the road.

I agree with Indysteel and withm. The leader should describe the ride and commands before the ride. Especially if he knows you're new to group rides. There are plenty of rides in the Greenville area, so if one does not work for you, there will for sure be another that does.

[FunSize]

I actually would feel more comfortable with more people if I were riding on the city streets. I feel like I'm so small that if I'm by myself someone wouldn't see me and clip me or cut me off. I think being with people who can show you how to ride on those streets will be good for you!

[crazycanuck]

Please don't speed up then coast (ie..not pedal) then speed up. Grrr.

Be predictable. Don't break suddenly. Listen to the other riders wheels-they're a good sign of what could be ahead. When following someone bigger(ie taller!) try and look through their arms.

Always obey traffic rules.

[crazycanuck]

This website http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/ & some of the info on it has been quite useful for me as a newbie to bunch riding.

Should you like the ride w the folks & want to venture to a bigger group etc etc.. here are some more links
http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2010/11/rolling-through/

This is the only road based tip site i have..Most of mine are either MTB or Track related

[FunSize]

So I went on the ride this morning I had told you about. I bet you'll do better than me! Get this: as my bf and I pull into the parking lot on our bikes he stops in front of me so I have to turn my bike to the right... but I clip out on my left side. So I fall over in front of all these people I don't know! What a great first impression, right. I bet they all thought i'd be horrible and probably stayed their distance from me!

You'll be fine on Monday! As long as you don't fall over upon meeting them you've done better than me!

So... after today I would recommend that if you are "stopping" or "slowing" to call it out. That seemed to be super helpful for everyone today.