Originally Posted by
professorbob
Reading what I just wrote, it all looks pretty good. However, it's so frustrating to be dropped as soon as we head up any kind of hill! So much so that despite the numbers showing that I should be proud of myself, I end up feeling that I'm out of my element. I think what I should do is some group riding with a group that is slightly faster than I'm comfortable with and keep at it for a several weeks until I can avoid being dropped. Has anyone else had a similar experience?
Don't worry too much about getting dropped, but DO try and limit the gap lost so you can catch back up when the road turns in your favor. When it does and IF you are fit enough, get to the front and pound on the group for a bit, fold back in and recover, and do it again. The key is active recovery and limiting your loss. Don't do a pull before a hill, it will get ugly QUICK if someone attacks a few mph faster. Riding w/ faster guys is a GOOD thing, use that inner competitive spirit to fight n stay in there.