I've been riding for a year. I went to ride with the local club yesterday and after 1/4 mile, they took off and left me in the dust
. I never saw any of them again (I continued the route by myself). This happens so often, even with trying other clubs. I can do Centuries (takes about 10 hr to complete) so I have the endurance figured out, but am having trouble with speed, I am usually one of the last to roll in to the finish and the festivities are over. At age 51, is there hope to gain speed? Or am I done with building muscle and have to settle with what I have? Does anybody know what I can do to get stronger and not have to be always riding by myself?