Road Cycling - Largo or small group rides?

Do most of you guys and gals prefer to ride in small <5 groups or larger groups? The concept of the larger group seems fun, but it seems that it might get complicated on who is suppose to be where.

Largo is not spanish for large. It is just a typo.

To me, 30-50 was always a perfect size. I don't see an issue as to who's supposed to be where.

I prefer a larger group (10-15). Larger the group, the less frequently I'm at the head of the paceline!

No groups.

No preferrence here..... from quiet solo rides, with another rider, a very small to medium sized group, or large weekly 100+ Sat morning rides.....
Depending on my mood, I can fit into any group.... as long as I don't have to pull up front.

How do you manage to bring about 100 people on a ride? (newbie here)

-Panoram Jazzman aka Panoramic
--

Hey Brian, there's a message in my Alphabits. It says "OOOOO"
Peter those are Cherios

How do you manage to bring about 100 people on a ride? (newbie here)

I don't. A couple or three dozen or so riders hang around at a designated corner every Sat morning and hop on the tail end of a much larger group of riders which started a few miles up earlier. Lots more riders tag along this growing pack along the way. The same animals up front do all the pulling. As far as I know, this ride's been going on every Sat morning for the last 30+ years.

Most of my riding is by myself or with a buddy. On Saturdays, if I can get out of the house, I'll join the River Ride. It's a long established ride of 40-100 guys, depending on the season and whether it's a race weekend. It's a kick.

If it's a very, very fast group, then 'largo' is too dangerous if you're mixing it with some traffic. What happens if a car pulls out if front of the first guy? It's dangerous enough riding on your own. I prefer a fast group ride to have less than ~12. :)

While I'm at it, there's a group around here who ride in super, super-tight formation on their 'easy' nights, doing about 17 mph, and spend most of the ride almost crashing into each other (there has been a few falls at this speed). What's the point of slip-streaming and 'working turns' at that ridiculously slow speed when you're just gonna increase the chance of a stack? If I let so much as a 1 meter gap appear in front of me, they start yelling, "keep it together" Why not just spread out a bit to make it safer? It's not like anyone's gunna get dropped. RIDICULOUS!! :mad:

what is the average speed in these group rides......i havent done one yet???

what is the average speed in these group rides......i havent done one yet???

Some groups roll along, and it feels like they're going backwards, yet some other groups fly along at 33 mph!! So, in my experience there's a wide range. Some groups are more social, but they think they're fit, so they might get up to 27 mph for the last 2 miles......with the wind!! (aren't I smug)

So, I suppose I haven't really answered your question. :(

Many organized club rides will have casual, intermediate and advanced groups - so those wanting a slower pace (probably 12-14 mph), a medium pace (14-17 mph), or a fast pace (17-20+ mph) can all find a group to ride with. The distances will usually vary too - easier, shorter (15-25 mi) rides for the casual group, longer, steeper rides (30-55 mi) for the advanced.

I've been dropped by the advanced group on one ride, and dropped the intermediate group on two other rides, so I'm a "tweener" - between intermediate and advanced.

Well I had my first large group ride of about 30 people. It was well organized and I learned the nature of the paceline pretty quick. We rotated out right to left so everyone led at some point, but just for a minute or so. We averaged ~18 over 38 miles. It was a real blast.

17 to 20+ mph is the fast group? Wow. That's the rollout for the ride I do. Maybe I should find a mellower group.....

Nah. ;)

17 to 20+ mph is the fast group? Wow. That's the rollout for the ride I do. Maybe I should find a mellower group.....

Nah. ;)

That's the average speed, including hills (which are substantial on many rides here in N. CA). So the pace is more like 24-25 mph on the flats.

Where is this N.CA of which you speak?

I like the fast group that rides on the flats of central Oklahoma, usually about 20-30 guys and girls that drop the hammer thanks to the Cat 2's that come out to taunt the rest of us. I like riding with a smaller group as well. I also like going it alone. If I'm riding, I'm probably doing great no matter who's around. Even the most annoying person is great to be around if everyone's riding.

I like the fast group that rides on the flats of central Oklahoma, usually about 20-30 guys and girls that drop the hammer thanks to the Cat 2's that come out to taunt the rest of us. I like riding with a smaller group as well. I also like going it alone. If I'm riding, I'm probably doing great no matter who's around. Even the most annoying person is great to be around if everyone's riding.


One of the groups i have been ridding with here has a ton of strong riders and about 6 absolute hammers...these 6 pull the whole 50 miles!! And I am hanging on by the skin of my teeth for most of it! These guys pull in the 30's for miles!! it is silly

On the ride that The Fixer is talking about, I have averaged 21.3mph for a 45 mile ride. I got dropped. Big time. They are animals. I have gotten to 36mph on the flat, in a tight pack a full lane wide and several hundred yards long with these guys.

So, after I get shot out the back, I end up riding with a smaller group. A group that big is scarey. You have to be on your toes every second.

Between 21 and 22mph for that big Sat morning ride sounds about right. Of course that average speed includes some traffic stops, slow downs, and climbs. And like Avalanche says, the paceline on Arrow Hwy usually picks up to at least into the mid-30's for a good couple or three miles. I always end up straggling to the finish with a much small group on this ride. I'll be lucky with a 20mph average on this ride..... :D

21 or 22mph average may not sound like much but considering the entire TDF average speed is just under 25mph over the course of the entire tour for example, kinda puts things into perspective..... I think....

Where is this N.CA of which you speak?

The East Bay of the SF Bay Area, assuming you were serious (didn't see any emoticons to guide me).

The East Bay of the SF Bay Area, assuming you were serious (didn't see any emoticons to guide me).

I'm kidding, Allen H. Notice my location, which is a 100 miles east of yours. Notice my username and avatar, which is a hint that I spent the 4 best years of my life on a lovely campus in the East Bay of the SF Bay Area.

And you guys are right. I looked at my computer from Saturday's ride. 49 miles, avg. spd. 21.1, max spd. 31.5. So even though the core part of the ride is at a 27-28mph pace, with the rollout, cooldown, and the increasing number of stop signs, it's still a 20-21mph average.