Should I take a hint?

[bluerider]

However, try it as a girl - Yeah, blast off the front real hard and then go into time trial mode. Those boys just can't resist even if they know you can't pull away from them in the long run. The whole pack will follow you in a sprint off the front! Maybe you had to be there. Oh well, I get a kick out of it!

Thanks SW! I will try that but I am usually trying to hold onto someone's wheel nevermind blasting off!!! Ha Ha.

I knew I came to the right place to vent...I need to stop being such a suck!!!

[Eden]

There are two sides to this coin - riding with the guys can make you very strong, but it can also burn you out too. It's very common for new racers to train too hard right now. Train harder get stronger right? It is actually a little more complex than that. While I don't feel I am knowledgable enough or have enough time to really go into it here, this time of the year it is generally recommended to not go out on those lung burning, leg burning, zone 5, kinds of rides, but to do zone 1,2 rides instead. So for that reason alone you may want to cut down on the number of rides you do with the boys. Yes, it can be hard to cut back. I really want to go out and do longer rides, but I'm being good -mostly ! (I just started with a coach and she's watching!)

Of course none of that gives the guys any excuses to treat you poorly. Just ignore the ones who are snotty. It can be cliqueish - but if you stick with it even the ones who seem a standoffish right now will probably thaw out in time. If they don't, its their problem not yours. Focus on the ones that are nice and ignore the nasty ones.

[bluerider]

There are two sides to this coin - riding with the guys can make you very strong, but it can also burn you out too. It's very common for new racers to train too hard right now. Train harder get stronger right? It is actually a little more complex than that. While I don't feel I am knowledgable enough or have enough time to really go into it here, this time of the year it is generally recommended to not go out on those lung burning, leg burning, zone 5, kinds of rides, but to do zone 1,2 rides instead. So for that reason alone you may want to cut down on the number of rides you do with the boys. Yes, it can be hard to cut back. I really want to go out and do longer rides, but I'm being good -mostly ! (I just started with a coach and she's watching!)

Of course none of that gives the guys any excuses to treat you poorly. Just ignore the ones who are snotty. It can be cliqueish - but if you stick with it even the ones who seem a standoffish right now will probably thaw out in time. If they don't, its their problem not yours. Focus on the ones that are nice and ignore the nasty ones.

Thanks Eden! I agree, I only ride with them once a week. Otherwise, I do my own thing. Even if I wanted to, I would seriously struggle with that kind of pace for more than once or twice a week.

I will try to ignore the snotty ones but it's hard sometimes. I have to keep reminding myself why I'm there and not to let my emotions get the better part of me.

[CR400]

I personally hate the talking in a group especially in a race. I had a race this season where all they did was talk for the first two laps. Had I not gone off the front we likely would have waited almost the whole race before the pace went above 15mph. I also made the mistake of not committing to the break away so it didn't take to much to catch me. Never look behind you to see if they are following in a race, they are, and if you don't focus on staying in front they'll catch up even quicker. So in a group on non talking racing men I feel at home.

[bluerider]

I personally hate the talking in a group especially in a race. I had a race this season where all they did was talk for the first two laps. Had I not gone off the front we likely would have waited almost the whole race before the pace went above 15mph. I also made the mistake of not committing to the break away so it didn't take to much to catch me. Never look behind you to see if they are following in a race, they are, and if you don't focus on staying in front they'll catch up even quicker. So in a group on non talking racing men I feel at home.

I really prefer not to talk as well! It's not the chit chat I'm after. I guess I should explain that it's the non-verbal vibe I'm getting that is telling me to go home. I am no chatterbox. I'm pretty shy when it comes to these guys and just keep the line. But I think I am intuitive enough to sense when I'm not welcome...*SIGH*...

[Pedal Wench]

You said that they'll drop off and help you bridge up if you're dropped? I can't imagine them doing that if you weren't welcome, especially since it is not a no-drop ride. I would take that as an obvious sign that they want you to hang on.

[CyclChyk]

You said that they'll drop off and help you bridge up if you're dropped? I can't imagine them doing that if you weren't welcome, especially since it is not a no-drop ride. I would take that as an obvious sign that they want you to hang on.

I agree with Pedal. Is there a chance that maybe since you feel this "vibe" that you intensify it with your insecurities about riding with them?? Maybe some of it is just in your head. I'm not saying that's the case; its just a different view point....

[bluerider]

I agree with Pedal. Is there a chance that maybe since you feel this "vibe" that you intensify it with your insecurities about riding with them?? Maybe some of it is just in your head. I'm not saying that's the case; its just a different view point....

I think you may be onto something...I know they haven't intentionally tried to drop me or make me suffer (although at times, I am very close to passing out). I just need to keep at it and show them that I am getting better and eventually be able to pull them...

But you're right, I am VERY insecure about riding with them. I know I'm not as fast. It's my first year with this club and I know there is a lot of history with the guys so I shouldn't expect to be welcomed right away...

Thanks for making me sit back and look at it with more rationale...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I agree with Pedal. Is there a chance that maybe since you feel this "vibe" that you intensify it with your insecurities about riding with them?? Maybe some of it is just in your head. I'm not saying that's the case; its just a different view point....

I remember when lived where everyone spoke Spanish around me- I would stand in line in the supermarket and be absolutely certain the women in back of me were whispering unkind things about me. Then I learned Spanish and it turns out they were just whispering about which tampons they liked, their gall bladder problem, or what color hair dye hides grey the best, etc.