Fifty Plus (50+) - First Organized Ride, What me worry?

Well I finally did it. I participated in my first organized ride, an MS event that starts in Cary, NC and goes through two neighboring towns. The ride is in its 15th year and attracts about 600-700 riders. Kind of awesome for a newbie like me.
I rode the 50K ride, but there is a 100K available. The weather in Cary, just south of Raleigh was PERFECT for a ride. I surprised myself by completing the ride, with more hills than I bothered to count, at an average speed of 15.1 MPH. I finished about in the middle of the 50K riders, achieving both my goals: A. Finish the ride, B. don't come in last. As I look back, all the training really paid off I was way ahead of the last groups. My thanks to my mentor (a friend from work).
I learned quite a bit, but there was one standout observation. If you're facing a headwind and your the guy putting the hammer down, stepping out to lead the pack, no one cares if your 60, not OCP and on a 10 year old bike, you're their new best friend. At one point I just got tired of the group not moving at a faster speed. We had just come off the one stop, I felt great, so I pulled out and let 'er rip. Suddenly there were two other riders right on my tail, drafting. Just like on TV! They were much younger and obviously in great physical condition and I'm a tad older and still have a little bit of gut (but it's getting smaller). It didn't matter. We took turns leading and drafting for the last half of the event. This turned out to be a real help on one of the remaining (and the hardest) hills. Next decision, do I continue and do the MS 150 (105 for me) or is this one objective I check off and return to my MTBs.

Do another one, and another, and another..... BTW, congrats on what appears to be a great ride.

Now if your man enough- you do the 150 on the MTB. Concession will allow you to put slicks on it and all it will do is cut your average down a bit.

These organised rides are great and are not as Hard as you think they are.

Now if your man enough- you do the 150 on the MTB. Concession will allow you to put slicks on it and all it will do is cut your average down a bit.

These organised rides are great and are not as Hard as you think they are.
Thanks stapfam, no I think I'll keep the road bike on the road and the MTB on the mountain. There were a few MTBs that participated. Most fell to the back quickly. There was one teenager on an MTB that finished with our group. Wanna bet this kid's gonna be someone to contend with in a year or two?

Do another one, and another, and another..... BTW, congrats on what appears to be a great ride.
Thanks!

Thanks stapfam, no I think I'll keep the road bike on the road and the MTB on the mountain. There were a few MTBs that participated. Most fell to the back quickly. There was one teenager on an MTB that finished with our group. Wanna bet this kid's gonna be someone to contend with in a year or two?

Why do you think I got a road bike????

It wasn't so I could go out with the local club and get slaughtered on a Sunday morning.

I have been on Mountain bikes since 1990 and only got a road bike last year. I used to do the Metric and 100 milers on the MTB but they are not as good as a road bike. Mind you- We used to scare a few Club riders by joining in their chains and taking our fair share of the pulling- but I was younger then.

Mind you- The offroad Tandem scares everyone when that gets wound up on the Metrics. Till we get to the uphills so carefull selection of rides for that one.

Nice ride, roccobike, and that was an average I'd like to have.

We had a bunch of fun in our organized ride last week. I'd go for the next one.

Nice ride!

Why stop at one? They just get better the more you do:)

Were you completely worn out at the end or was there something left? If there was something left then I say go for the next longer distance. The organized rides are the best way to push your limits. They have SAG vehicles to pick you up if you break down (bike or body), plenty of good food every 20 miles or so and lots of drinks and snacks. They also have lots of other riders of various abilities doing the same thing you are so conversations are easy. It is a good way to meet people and enjoy the outside while getting some exercise.

Good on ya for going for it. Great job!:D

Great ride report, it makes me feel go to participate in the charity rides, and to hear that others do as well.. As I was writing this short note, I was wondering how your healing up was coming along from your nasty fall. My ribs are still hurting from mine, and that was 3 months ago. I'm glad you reaching some of your goals, good luck.

Cgallagh speaks the truth. Organized rides are a great way to push yourself, especially distance-wise. Nice going. Great feeling, huh?

Excellent! Group rides can be a lot of fun and also a great way to learn via observing othering. Congrats on meeting the goals as well. Keep the Road and MTB-options are good!

What towns did you ride through? Apex by chance? I lived in Garner for 11 years and need to go back and do it by bike.

Very nice ride and report. I found out organized rides are fun too. Another one of those nice to know things. Congratulations. Heck of an average speed too by the way!

Excellent! Group rides can be a lot of fun and also a great way to learn via observing othering. Congrats on meeting the goals as well. Keep the Road and MTB-options are good!

What towns did you ride through? Apex by chance? I lived in Garner for 11 years and need to go back and do it by bike.
Thanks JPPE, yes we did Apex and of course it included the locally well known Olive Chapel Hill along with the hills of Lake Pine Drive. I don't think we made it to Garner, but we did go through Holly Springs. The 100K went out further and might have made it to Garner, but Im not sure.

Thanks for your comments George. My right rotator cuff still hurts a little, but the shoulder doesn't "crack" any more when I rotate it. I'm just about completely healed, but it took several months. I'm still paying the doctor bills. I could have bought a new low end bike for the cost of the doctor bills, medication and bandages.

Were you completely worn out at the end or was there something left? If there was something left then I say go for the next longer distance. Good on ya for going for it. Great job!:D
Thanks for the comment. Yes, I felt I could have gone a few more miles, but my average speed would have suffered and I don't know about doing another hill. The last five miles of the ride has 6 or 7 hills. The last 5 run back to back with only 2 downhills inbetween. None of those last 5 are a big deal on their own, but they don't have much recovery inbetween. That's were the training paid off because I'm not big on hills.

Thanks for the comments Terrierman, Beverly, doctor J and Mojo Slim.

None of those last 5 are a big deal on their own, but they don't have much recovery inbetween. That's were the training paid off because I'm not big on hills.

Thanks for the comments Terrierman, Beverly, doctor J and Mojo Slim.

The only thing on hills that is big- Is the %age on the last one. I live in a hilly area and Had to train on them this year.

Unfortunately- Hills occur and although you have to be fit enough to do them- Most of the effort in getting up them is in the Rhythm. Get the rhythm running and the hill can be 15 miles long and 7.5% steep. But DG has it right- Most of the effort in cycling is mental. Get that right and the world is yours- Providing you can still get grip up a 25% slope.