First group ride Sat. What do I need to know?

[jenniferh]

I've been riding for a while, but the hubby and I joined a cycling club near our house and we're going on their newbie group ride this weekend. It will probably be about 20 mi (the group decides together when we get there) so I'm not worried about the distance.

What do I need to know to be successful? I've never ridden in a group before.

[Pedal Wench]

This was something put together by one of our friends:

 http://www.studio208.com/TOPRS.pdf

[indysteel]

Every group is different, so your best bet is to get there early and ask the leader about how this group operates. In particular, I would want to know if the group rides in a tight paceline and if there is a "no drop" policy. If it's a ride specifically geared for new riders, the answer to the first question to be "no" and the second one to be "yes." I'd also want to know what speed the group hopes to average. Again, if it's a ride for newbies, I would expect that to be pretty reasonable. In general, I would expect your ride to be more social than anything.

In general though, I would suggest that you mostly just use common sense. I like to stay to the rear when I'm new to a group and just watch how it operates. If other are riding behind me, I would use hand and verbal signals to a indicate turns, road hazards and the like. Just ride predictably-presumably like you normally would.

I would also to encourage you to arrive on time and to come prepared. Have enough water and food for the ride. Have the gear necessary to change a flat. Make sure your bike is in working order. If the ride doesn't have a no drop policy, make sure you know how to get back home.

I like to introduce myself as much as I can when I'm new to a group, too.

[jenniferh]

I typically ride about 10 mi in the late evening (I'm in TX) so I take 2 bottles of water and no food. I'm only out for a little less than an hour and it's been fine. I suspect Saturday's ride will take more like 2 hours depending on speed. What food should I bring? Will 2 bottles be enough? I don't have a camelbak yet, but my hubby has one and 2 additional bottles so I could always take one of his if I need to.

Oh, I should add that I normally ride at a cadence around 85 and avg about 18mph with the wind and about 16 against the wind. Do you think that is average for a new rider or should I expect to slow down?

[indysteel]

I typically ride about 10 mi in the late evening (I'm in TX) so I take 2 bottles of water and no food. I'm only out for a little less than an hour and it's been fine. I suspect Saturday's ride will take more like 2 hours depending on speed. What food should I bring? Will 2 bottles be enough? I don't have a camelbak yet, but my hubby has one and 2 additional bottles so I could always take one of his if I need to.

Oh, I should add that I normally ride at a cadence around 85 and avg about 18mph with the wind and about 16 against the wind. Do you think that is average for a new rider or should I expect to slow down?

Do you finish the two bottles on your 10-mile ride? If so, then I would assume you'll need more for 20 miles. Again, every group ride is different, but I wouldn't necessarily expect to stop on a ride of that length to get more water, but you might want to ask the ride organizer if they do. Otherwise, It sounds like you might have to stow another water bottle in a jersey pocket or use your husband's camelback.

I'd add that I'm not teh best person to give advice when it comes to water consumption. I'm sort of a camel in that I don't tend to drink a lot during rides. Two bottles would probably last me 35 miles. In this heat, that's not something I would advise.

As for food, you may or may not end up needing to eat (assuming you eat well before the ride), but I would bring something with you just in case, be it a banana, energy bar, a gel, or a handful of fig newtons. Whatever your preference. Again, I wouldn't necessarily expect to stop on a 20-mile ride, but perhaps this one will since it is geared to new riders. If you start feeling hungry or that your energy is starting to wane, be sure to eat.

For group rides that don't have a formal stop, I tend to bring something like Clif Blocs that I can shove in my mouth pretty easily at a stop sign. A lot of people like gels for just that reason, but I just can't stand the texture of them. I've gotten better over time at eating while riding, but it took some practice! I finally bought a top tube bag and that makes eating on a run a bit easier for me.

[indysteel]

I forgot to add that your average speeds are just fine for a new rider. Heck, they're just fine for a not-so-new rider. It sounds like you're doing great!

My guess--and this is just a guess--is that you'll go slower than that for this ride. Maybe a lot slower, but I say that from my own experience of helping out with some new rider shop rides.

[TxDoc]

I've been riding for a while, but the hubby and I joined a cycling club near our house and we're going on their newbie group ride this weekend. It will probably be about 20 mi (the group decides together when we get there) so I'm not worried about the distance.

What do I need to know to be successful? I've never ridden in a group before.

Communication is the key.
If you guys are new to the group, make sure that you tell them that you have never ridden in a group before.
There's a pretty good turnover in cycling teams and clubs. Most group see new people that are just 'new to them' but already know what they are doing and can get involved in the work right away, so they may assume you know what to do already. Conversely, if you do tell them that it is your first time, the rest of the people will very likely shelter you guys for the first couple of times.
Most likely they will give you advice, help with the rotations and maybe do some of your share if you get tired, help you back in the group if you get dropped, etc. If you are both new to group rides and the group has a few experienced people, chances are they will actually assign a couple of them to you guys for the first one or two rides, just to make sure you are fine.

Something you and your hubby can do to make the ride more fun and more safe (!) is to learn a bit about close contact and pacelines. This is what I notice most in people that are on the first group ride: many do not know how to ride in a paceline, and get nervous when other cyclists get close.
You do not need a big group to get a bit of practice, just the two of you is enough to get started. So if you have some time before the weekend, find a place away from the trafic and practice riding close to each other and rubbing shoulders, sort of. Try on soft terrain at first, just for added safety. And give a try to taking rotations, short or long, and to keeping it tight. What you learn in your practice time will pay off once you are on the group ride - it takes the nervousness away and you can enjoy your ride while you learn more.

At 16-18mph alone, you can probably be comfortable on a group ride that averages 20-22mph, even a bit more if the paceline is tight and you are well protected. You will be more than fine and have a lot of fun.
Again, if they know that you guys are new, they will expect you to save some energy during the pulls (go more aero) even if that leaves some work for the second guy in the line, and will stand up to allow you to relax when they are pulling you. Normal courtesy to new riders... Likewise, if you have to change clothing, eat, drink, do whatever - they will likely keep you at the back sheltered so you don't have to spend the extra pedaling energy while taking care of nutrition etc.

Water, food, more water, more food...
From what you mentioned this ride is double your usual distance, so take extra nutrition - a good guess would be double the usual nutrition that you normally bring along, and then add some extra for 'emergencies'.
If you normally only bring water, then double the amount of water, and then bring an extra small bottle filled with ice and put it in your jersey pocket. I'm in TX too and occasionally I see some cyclist that has to stop due to overheating. The little cold cushion on the midsection will feel nice at mid-day when it's 100+ degrees: lowers core temperature and then comes in handy if the ride plans change and you need an extra drink
Also put some food in your pockets - something that will give you a quick burst of energy but will not melt and cause a mess in your jersey. No snickers bars leave those for the winter... but yes to trail mix, dried fruit (dried figs, pears, apricots, banana, papaya, pineapple), fresh bananas, or commercial sports nutrition like gels, blocks, etc. If you have the patience to prepare them, you can make sandwiches and cut them up in small pieces that you wrap separately and put in your pockets.

Ah, this brings back good memories... my sister used to make some sandwiches with salty seasoned prosciutto, and some with nutella - soooo yummy... It's too bad that I'm lazy and cannot work that much in the kitchen before a ride...

Most important - have fun! Riding with other people is very entertaining, you make new friends, learn, get more fit in the process, and get to see wonderful places. It's all good

[indysteel]

TxDoc gives some good advice, but I got the impression that this ride was a "newbie" ride. As such, I'd be really surprised if you rode in a tight paceline.

In any event, I agree that you and your husband can practice on your own to get used to riding in one. I, personally, wouldn't ride in a paceline with new riders. Having seen a lot of foolishness on group rides, I'm of the mind that new riders shouldn't get in a paceline of any significant size if they're otherwise not used to riding around people and/or don't know the dos and don'ts of riding in a paceline.

[jenniferh]

The cycling club has several rides all at the same time. We are going to join the new rider group. From what I've read there will be actual first timers like us, and also some people who have been riding a few months and the group has leaders for the front and the back so no one gets left behind.

Thanks for all teh great advice. Our bikes are getting tehir 30-day tune up today so they'll be ready for our ride. It should be fun!