Ride report

[Spartan112]

I hooked up with a group ride yesterday 24.5 miles in the towns surrounding Mt. Wachusett in Central Mass. When I initially contacted the ride leader I expressed my concern about whether or not I was ready to ride with them. He assured me that the group would likely split off into three groups and that it would contain a variety of skill and fitness levels. When I got there a pecking order was established and the first (faster group was sent out). I fell in with the middle group hoping I'd be able to hold on. To my surprise withing the first 4 miles or so I was at the tail end of the lead group. We were moving right along. The area was full of small/medium rollers and some shorter climbs. I was maintaining more speed uphills than I ever had before. It felt great. Eventually me and a couple of older guys started to get dropped by the lead group...but someone else's misfortune turned out to be our dumb luck. One of the lead riders got a flat and the group paused momentarily while they assessed that he had it handled. That gave the three of us a chance to catch up. This was at about the halfway point of the ride. I managed to hold on to the pack (just barely)...I'm a complete newbie to the group ride thing but I learned a few things. I'm not completely comfortable sucking onto someones wheel just yet but I was pretty good a pulling one of the guys that I was bringing up the rear with.

When all was said and done it turned out to be 24.53 miles and 18.4mph and man is my whole body sore today. These guys really had me pushing myself. I think I found my regular Wed ride. If I drop another 10-15# maybe I'll be able to take my turn pulling the group.

Sorry for the long winded post, but if I talk to my wife about this stuff she goes all glassy eyed. I figured you guys would understand.

They've got a 40 miler in a week or so, not sure if I'll be able to keep up over that distance but we'll see.

[bcc]

Great report. Congrats on the achievement :)

[bautieri]

That 40 miller will be a good test for you. Excellent work on your ride, keep up the good work!

[Spartan112]

Thanks, I'm paying the price today. Muscles all over my body are sore. It shows me how much I had plataued in my workouts though.

[Air]

That's great! I just started learning about riding in a pack - weird feeling and my overactive mind doesn't like to think about what happens if someone goes down...

[Spartan112]

That's great! I just started learning about riding in a pack - weird feeling and my overactive mind doesn't like to think about what happens if someone goes down...

+1

The guy on my wheel was experienced, he knew when to peel off a bit...I got a tad nervous going down one particularly steep section. It was a typical twisting new england road...turned in one direction and back to the other...still some and left over from the winter. I could tell something funny was coming up...yup...RR tracks. If I had been going at full speed it would have been ugly.

[rollerdavem]

Awesome ride report!

I may not be there yet, but reports like this let me check out the path ahead.

Thanks!

RD

[Spartan112]

Like I said, I was surprised. I fully expected to be with the middle group. My legs are feeling it
today. I plan on getting out for a fairly gentle recovery ride today.

[kenseth03]

Awsome job!! I really want to do a group ride but the idea of riding in a group that could put me up close to another riders wheel really is a concern for me. It seems like one little mistake could be a disaster! I'm glad you did so good. It certainly sounds like your hooked on the group ride thing!