General Cycling Discussion - How was your first group ride.

I rode in my first group ride today. And it kicked my butt! I climbed hills today where the elevation, length and grade that I had never done before. I had to stop and take a few breaks. I even had the SAG vehicle come by with a friend of mine driving it and he asked me if I wanted a ride. I said no way! I'll make it. I wasn't about to quit. Other riders were passing me. But I dont feel too bad because most of them had triple chain rings, while I was riding a double. I am definitely thinking about changing over to a triple myself. But hey I finished it. I know that I am going to be sore tommorrow. I did the longest rided that they had, which was 41 miles. There was a nice BBQ afterwards and I met some really cool people. So I will be doing more group rides in the future, I will also be doing more training in the hills. Sorry for the long post. :)

How was my first group ride? fantastic!!! it was two sundays ago; perfect day not even any wind. We rode 46.01 miles, and yes I did feel it but mostly where I sit, omg the saddle started to feel like it was made out of rock. It was great, over twenty bikes and not me against every car like when on the road alone. None of the dirty hand singles, no drivers saying "get a car!' or "get of the f***** road!",,etc..grrrr. We owned the road! People were actually waving to us! It was so cool to be so far from home knowing I got me there with an 18lb of bike and it was up to me to get me home. Was almost intoxicating as feelings go. Half way into the work week I just felt different, renewed in a way or something. And good to know Im not the only nut, and will have many group rides in the summer for sure.

Last year I did my first group ride. I was both nervous and exited at the same time, since I had no idea what I was getting into. Plus I went by myself and was realy hoping everyone would be cool, but you never know! Lastly, I ride a mountian bike with knobby tires and everything and I was a bit insecure that eveyone would be on road bikes and would think I was crazy. Well that part was mostly true, but they didn't think I was crazy...brave! Of course, that made me feel great.! I found a group that was at my pace and we had a blast.

Today I went for my second group ride. This one was small- maybe 10 people. It was a realy different experience. Even though they were super friendly and realy took me in- they were fairly seasoned riders, all on road bikes and I had a hard time keeping up. I like to go fast, but I don't want to feel like I am making others go slow just for me. So after about 20 miles I decided to let them go and to head off on an off-road trail and get my self-esteem back :D

Have no plans to get another bike this season, so I learned that I need to pick rides that will allow me to keep my own pace. I'd be curious if anyone else has had this experience.

i can't remember my first group ride... but those were the days that i was fit enough to keep up(I was active in swimming, volleyball and tennis at high school)...
But I can remember the first group ride when I was back in the saddle... That was last year..

I was the Joy ride type... they said.. I never pushed myself because I knew I would only exhaust my energy, or worse injure myself.

They average about 35kph(the route had its share of uphills and downhills), mine was 22kph.. they had to wait for me for almost an hour.. then we went home..

But I didn't feel bad because I enjoyed myself... I also enjoyed looking at them.. They were so tired. They could hardly get up..

I just started getting into group rides this year with a local racing team :)

It's great fun, except those guys are nuts on their bikes. Got dropped like a lead weight on the last 1/3rd of the ride yesterday. Oh well...gonna train and take them all on.