Recumbent - First Group Ride

I went on my first group ride on Friday, Halloween. I was happy that I could keep up on the uphills. Downhills & flats - no problems. Some of the costumes that the folks wore for Halloween made the pace slow but incredibly fun. Nice conversations about how relaxed the other bent rider & I looked. Lots of comments from the on-lookers too. (I didn't get as many positive responses as the young lady dressed as Cleopatra, though).

I had a good laugh with one guy on a mountain bike as we worked up a long hill. I said that this was my duck approach to hills: Calm above the surface; work like hell underneath. The good news for me was that I could stay with the group on the long hill. Passed some; passed by others. In the end, a good time was had by all.

What experiences have you had with group rides?

I do most of my riding with a group, which is primarily uprights. They like to average 19-20 mph, and if there's any hills it's like doing interval training - work hard on the climbs but rest everywhere else. When I'm not in a mood for the workout, I've found that it is easier and faster use my speed profile to my advantage instead of hanging with them. If I simply ride my pace I may slow down more on the climbs themselves, but they never catch back up because they're so slow *before* the hills.

I do most of my riding with a group as well. My recumbent friends and I usually get together Saturday mornings for 40-50 miles in the country. 16-18mph. Some of these guys have become close friends. I like solo rides as well, but it wouldn't be the same without my group.

I also do much of my riding with groups, especially in the Summer.