Riding with a group - average speed?

[tulip]

You don't have to be perfect to ride your bike. Just go ride and enjoy yourself, already! I seriously doubt that the other riders will really pay that much attention to you. If you get dropped, so what? Keep at it, ride, you'll get stronger. But I suspect you know that already.

[velo]

I don't know the nature of these riders at all, so I don't know if they are cocky young daredevils or older sensible strong riders or some mixture in between. That is something I had not thought of and would make all the difference in the world to me. I don't need any injuries. Crit racing is intense and risky... I no longer want anything that even resembles that!

I do know that this one fellow I talked to said that they will never let someone be dropped. I made the comment that I knew the roads and wouldn't want anyone to hang back just for me. Part of being hesitant to ride with them is that if I can't keep up, I don't want anyone to miss a good ride because they are pulling me along. If I could make it clear to them that I know all the roads around here and wouldn't get lost, perhaps I would feel less nervous. It's late in the season here in corn country and we're starting to get to the part of the year where every great, long ride counts because they are numbered as the days get shorter and colder soon.

I want to ride with this group because I think it will make me a stronger rider. That's it in a nutshell. I had a goal and that's part of it. Vainly, I also think more intense rides, which I'm not doing on my own, will help me lose this last bit of weight and I'd love to meet that goal, too. I ride solo so much, I also would like some company sometimes.

[indysteel]

I totally agree that riding in a group like that will totally make you stronger. When I stopped going, my average speed plummeted. I was pretty strong there for a while. I ride mostly with my relatively new husband now and we just don't push each other the same way.

As for someone hanging back with you if you fall off, don't worry about. IME, the guys love to be chivalrous and there's always somebody looking for a valid excuse to take it easy, especially this time of year when people are starting to burn out. So don't feel guilty if someone rides in with you.

[velo]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone again. I gave it a go. Did fine, but did not take my pulls and hung back or stayed mid-pack. Didn't make any major mistakes and enjoyed the ride. I did get dropped on one hill (remember, where I live it's flat, so "hill" is relative), but one of the guys hung back and pulled me back to the group. I will say that I'm fine "hanging" with them, and can hold my own on the flats, but I'm not sure if I'm up to snuff to take my turn at the front. All together it was kinda fun and I met another female cyclist (she is STRONG!!), but I'm not sure if it's something I'll do again this season. Their average is above the stated average. I will say that I do enjoy my solitude when riding solo and not having to worry so much about technicalities, but it was nice to not be alone. Anyway, thanks for encouraging me give it a go. I'd say it was definitely worth it!

[Cynedra]

That is wonderful that the ride turned out so good for you. Bravo!

[TigerMom]

Group rides get me going faster than I would ride by myself because I worry about being left behind or dragging the group too slow. So, the group rides have definitely got me to push harder at biking, even when I train by myself. I would encourage you to keep going to the group rides to push yourself since you sound like you weren't behind at all except for one hill. Also, I try to get towards the front of the group BEFORE going up the hill. Even if everyone passes you, at least you are LESS far behind than if you start going up hill at the very back of the group.
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle