First group ride

[fallstoclimb]

Overall, the ride was pretty great! I spent the first 5 miles booking it as fast as I could, killing myself to keep within sights of the group, when we finally lost them for good at a light. BUT the two ride leaders (both women, which was nice!) took turns hanging back with us for the first half, and one of them began to teach me drafting, which I understood in concept but had never actually done before. For the second half, a regular and a ride leader hung back with us and we did a little 4-person paceline, which was a great introduction to it -- not at all scary, and a lot of fun. Around the 19 mile mark they made sure we knew the rest of the way back and took off, so I checked my average speed because I knew it was about to decrease dramatically -- it was 16.7! I've never averaged more than 15.7 (that was a flat 13 mile ride), and it's usually more in the 13 mph range. Of course the last couple of miles back alone the adrenaline died off, my legs cramped up and my average speed dropped to 15.7, but I'm still pretty freaking proud of myself.

Thanks for encouraging me to get out there guys! Not sure I would've done it otherwise (like honestly, right before we got there I was so scared I was ready to bail but I didn't want to come back here and have to admit that's what happened!). I'm glad I went. Later I'll write a more detailed recap on my blog and post a link, in case anyone is interested.

[fallstoclimb]

OK -- here's the link:

http://ladyroadie.blogspot.com/2011/...roup-ride.html

[CyborgQueen]

Fantastic JOB!!! The more you ride with them, the better you will be.

Love the Blog! :-)

[Possegal]

I chickened out Jessie. But I'd like to try and do this sometime in the future. Sounds like a good ride with good ride leaders. Glad you had fun.

[jlnc]

Congratulations on your ride Jessie! Sounds like fun, and I bet you are so glad you did it. I read your blog, which was a nice write up.
Just 2 quick questions for you ....you mention being embarrassed that you dropped your chain. Why? (I've never done this before, and just wondering how it happens?) Also, the girl that didn't finish...was it her choice to not finish with the group? Or was she really "dropped" because she was too slow? Do you know if she just turned around and went back?
---->"A ride leader told us someone behind us was on her first ride on a road bike (this is the woman who didn't have toe clips), and after a few miles they decided we wouldn't be waiting on her. "

[fallstoclimb]

Congratulations on your ride Jessie! Sounds like fun, and I bet you are so glad you did it. I read your blog, which was a nice write up.
Just 2 quick questions for you ....you mention being embarrassed that you dropped your chain. Why? (I've never done this before, and just wondering how it happens?) Also, the girl that didn't finish...was it her choice to not finish with the group? Or was she really "dropped" because she was too slow? Do you know if she just turned around and went back?
---->"A ride leader told us someone behind us was on her first ride on a road bike (this is the woman who didn't have toe clips), and after a few miles they decided we wouldn't be waiting on her. "

Oh, my understanding is that you drop your chain when you try to shift while pedaling too hard. It happens to the best of cyclists though (wasn't there a Tour de France that was lost on a dropped chain?), so it isn't in itself embarrassing, but it was just sort of capping off how exhausted/falling apart I was at that point.

And the girl who didn't finish had a more experienced friend who stuck with her -- I think her and her friend told the ride leader not to worry about them. They must have done a shortened circuit because they were at the bike shop when we finished up. I only mentioned her because it was a relief to hear that I wasn't the most overmatched rider, although since she dropped out the comfort didn't last long. She was brave to attempt a group ride on her first time on a roadie!

[jlnc]

Thanks for the updates, was just curious!

[Nick]

OK -- here's the link:

http://ladyroadie.blogspot.com/2011/...roup-ride.html

I really enjoyed your story! Thanks for sharing. Your blog led me to some other wonderful blogs, as well, and I got lost in a lovely journey of bike stories.

[roo4]

My bike club guys tell me that the spring rides tend to be slower and shorter. So if they are too fast now, try again in May? People get faster as the summer progresses.