newbie to racer group ride pointers

[sbskates]

i ride alot i do group rides in the week etc have had goal of getting in race shape sometime.. i have been riding with a local race club that anyone interested can ride with.
they are great people and so forth. really enjoying the rides, hard but good. any pointers here from racers so i keep in line and stay respectful of the club ride members ( i know i am not equal to them just becasue i am there on a bike etc ). i usually stay at back of groups unless i am at pace and get up front with them. groups are not real big and it really feels like any normal ride i do with other bigger groups just faster and we draft of course. i take in all advice given and so forth.
any pointers.

[Voodoo76]

Listen and Learn, sounds like you are approaching it with a good attitude. Sometimes experienced riders can seem a little short, just remember two things:

1. It is tough to measure words when you do something unexpected at 20mph that disrupts the group. Just go with the flow and dont take criticisim too personally.
2. We may not pay much attention and seem a little disinterested intitally, but for every rider who sticks it out we have seen 10 who started, were going to light the cycling world on fire, found out it was hard, then quite.

[my58vw]

As with any group ride stay off the front at first and feel the flow of the group. As said ^^^ doing something against the "norms" of the group can cause some angry words. Believe it or not some guys who come out to these rides can be real jerks, expecially with newbees. Try to learn from what they say, and stay out of trouble. Do not make your first group ride with a group your last.

Do not feel obligated the first time around to take pulls, etc, just sit in and observe. They might call you a wheelsucker but that lets you feel the pace of the group. Once you are intune to what is going on then go out and "take your pulls, etc". You may also realize that these rides do not have "no drop" policies so make sure you know your way back home if needed.

If you get dropped there is nothing to be ashamed for, just do your best. You as said above have a great attitude... remember hot shots just get on everyones nerves.

BTW I have seen many group rides that turn into imprompt races... remember it is your job to stay safe... if you do not feel safe then do not do what some people are doing. Also remember to be vocal...

Good Luck!