Inferiority complex during group rides

[Cindyloo]

Thanks for the advice ladies! I guess I had gotten my panties all in a wad about that ride and just need to get over myself! I am my own worst critic for sure! I am going to try a novice group ride with the local club next Thursday and see how that goes. I will try to get there early and meet people before we set off on the ride. I am actually looking forward to it and hopefully I won't get nervous during the ride. Performance anxiety indeed!

[littlegrasshopp]

my first "real bike" was a road bike. I rode by myself for a couple months and was doing really well. Then - I did my first road ride. Don't know what happened!! My DF's best friend was suppose to ride with me. He met girl and they dropped me on the first hill. So I was riding my first group road ride in an area I knew NOTHING about with total strangers! I got stressed and kept hitting the curb and flipping my bike. Luckily the group I was with was very nice..but other groups kept passing us and would build up as much speed as they could and zoon by yelling "on your left!" I'd hit the curb again. It was a horrible experience!!! Even my own group started scoring my wrecks. I've never wrecked that much - even mountain biking with clipless pedals!

I went on more rides. Mostly because the friend was determined to make it up to me! They did get better but I never fell in love with it. I always liked riding alone or with 1 other person much better. Good luck though!!