Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - First Fast Ride

I know it’s all relative, but for me, it was fast.

I just started back into biking this season after a 15 year hiatus. I’ve been slowly working my average speed back up, but this weekend blew me away. We did an all class ride of 32 miles. We hung with the A riders for a while, but at about 20 miles they had enough of us I guess and I never saw them again. While with them though were cruising along pretty good. We kept it up as best as we could and ended up finishing with an average speed of 19. I was so stoked!!!

That is impressive.

Retraining the engine to handle the duration takes determination, practice, and confidence, as well as some more determination.

Riding a comfortable as well as safe pace is sometimes difficult in group rides I have learned, I will tend to shadow the faster pace group till dropped, then there is always a second pod that will creep up while re-stoking engine, then off again. But then I ride in more a FRED fashion, so never taken seriously, ever.

I always wonder if I'm riding "correctly" in a group or not? And it seems that no one will tell you, like it's some kind of secret. I mean, is there a right and a wrong way to pass a rider on a climb?

I always wonder if I'm riding "correctly" in a group or not? And it seems that no one will tell you, like it's some kind of secret. I mean, is there a right and a wrong way to pass a rider on a climb?

I do not know the answer for sure. I do know the wrong way, (in my book), as it has happen to me on more than one occasion.

That is to pass a rider, after of course declaring - "PASSING ON YOUR LEFT" (or right), and then spend all your energy to make the pass to then fade and force the passed rider to slow or pass you. I know I am not happy when that occurs.

I honestly do not know why these items are not discussed, it is my impression, no one else knows either and we are all winging it out there and praying no one gets hurt.

Last tour ride, with mix of skill levels, the riders of drop bars, with aggressive positions, (bars well below seat level), one of the group (always more than one) would declare - "on your left". Tour type riders, with steel bikes, most with drops set at seat level or higher, usually in pairs, some solo, decalre same message, but then when came along side, would make casual conversation, some would ride along for a period or till next SAG.

I met the nicest fellow with a SURLY LHT, and then his ride partner and last his son on one outing. Their pace was at least 18 to 20 MPH, and I know I offered a more relaxing pace as I had the wrong bike that day and at best I mustered a 16 MPH into the wind, and 20 MPH with the wind to my back.
I was not past by any MTB, hybrid or comfort riders, so I held my pace through the tour, from my view.

I've been wondering, is it bad form to get passed, then horribly drop someone? On Monday a guy on a old MTB passed me as I was goofing off, so I just rode behind him. Yesterday I heard a loud/annoyed "ON YOUR LEFT!" at the same place in the trail, lo and behold the same guy as I was again goofing off and looking around.

So, of course, I had none of it and hammered. The drop was delivered in a brutal, brutal, BRUTAL manner. Probably a pretty jerk maneuver, I know, but hey. :)


I do not know the answer for sure. I do know the wrong way, (in my book), as it has happen to me on more than one occasion.

That is to pass a rider, after of course declaring - "PASSING ON YOUR LEFT" (or right), and then spend all your energy to make the pass to then fade and force the passed rider to slow or pass you. I know I am not happy when that occurs.

I honestly do not know why these items are not discussed, it is my impression, no one else knows either and we are all winging it out there and praying no one gets hurt.

Last tour ride, with mix of skill levels, the riders of drop bars, with aggressive positions, (bars well below seat level), one of the group (always more than one) would declare - "on your left". Tour type riders, with steel bikes, most with drops set at seat level or higher, usually in pairs, some solo, decalre same message, but then when came along side, would make casual conversation, some would ride along for a period or till next SAG.

I met the nicest fellow with a SURLY LHT, and then his ride partner and last his son on one outing. Their pace was at least 18 to 20 MPH, and I know I offered a more relaxing pace as I had the wrong bike that day and at best I mustered a 16 MPH into the wind, and 20 MPH with the wind to my back.
I was not past by any MTB, hybrid or comfort riders, so I held my pace through the tour, from my view.

I always wonder if I'm riding "correctly" in a group or not? And it seems that no one will tell you, like it's some kind of secret. I mean, is there a right and a wrong way to pass a rider on a climb?

I just say "Passing"

I always wonder if I'm riding "correctly" in a group or not? And it seems that no one will tell you, like it's some kind of secret. I mean, is there a right and a wrong way to pass a rider on a climb?

A group of highly skilled rider will compliment you if you ride well. Club rider type wannabes won't cause they are too busy trying to impress you with the 'pass and drop' after they sucked your wheel for 20 miles!:rolleyes:

As far as passing on a climb, depends on the climb! I keep my pace and whatever happens, happens. I've had so many riders pass while throwing 'the look'. Big mistake cause the guy you pass at mile 5, may dust your butt at mile 40!

I did a 10,000ft century where everybody was blazing fast on the first 10 miles of the climb, but sucked at mile 50, 8,000 ft later!:D