First group ride

[fallstoclimb]

You did really well!

I am a bit frustrated with reading about group rides that are advertised for beginners and cyclists of all abilities. Some new rider might actually think that is the case. They certainly don't fit my abilities, which is still a pace of only about 10-11mph. I'd love the chance to ride with some other people sometime but this kind of riding is way out of my league.

I do agree with this -- and honestly that group ride was way out of my league. I don't think the LBS can be blamed, though, because if more inexperienced cyclists had shown up, we could have all hung together. However I think unfortunately it tends to be the strong cyclists who mostly show up to group rides, and the weaker ones are the exception.

One thing I have done before are bike club-sponsored longer-distance rides, with staggered start times, that were much more casual. Are there any of those near where you live?

[goldfinch]

I do agree with this -- and honestly that group ride was way out of my league. I don't think the LBS can be blamed, though, because if more inexperienced cyclists had shown up, we could have all hung together. However I think unfortunately it tends to be the strong cyclists who mostly show up to group rides, and the weaker ones are the exception.

One thing I have done before are bike club-sponsored longer-distance rides, with staggered start times, that were much more casual. Are there any of those near where you live?

It is hard for me to find anything like that as I am rarely in one area more than a month.