Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Why am i scared????????

okay so i think that im going to go out on my first group ride this saturday. its for ann arbor bicycle touring society (for anyone in michigan) they have 4 riding groups "A" "B" "C" and "D", "D" being the slowest which i will ride with. i dont know if its because its my first season or what but im kinda scared ive always been athletic and very competitive (till i got fat) i just dont want to look dumb and dont even know why i care so much?
Any Advice??

Show up and have fun. Does the "D" group's description match your usual pace and their routes match the typical terrain you ride? If so, then there's nothing to worry about.

okay so i think that im going to go out on my first group ride this saturday. its for ann arbor bicycle touring society (for anyone in michigan) they have 4 riding groups "A" "B" "C" and "D", "D" being the slowest which i will ride with. i dont know if its because its my first season or what but im kinda scared ive always been athletic and very competitive (till i got fat) i just dont want to look dumb and dont even know why i care so much?
Any Advice??

Slow rides are generally not competitive, and they generally have a no-drop policy. You should be OK.

My question for you is....

Are you afraid of what others will think of you, or are you afraid you aren't going to measure up to the standard you set when you were thinner and younger?

Just get drunk before the event to ease the tension.

Either before you get there or at the start, find out if there's a no-drop policy, ask them what average speed is, do they make any stops along the way, etc., and you can hopefully find out right away how you'll fit in.

i know its no drop and they have someone sweeping the back

As with most things, if you do your best and don't forget to have fun, it will be a good time.

There is always someone faster/stronger/smarter out there. Just be the best YOU that you can be!

Oh yeah, and maybe bring a Groucho Marx disguise in case someone has your high school yearbook at the event and notices you aren't a stud anymore, because that would be a bad time.

You'll find that the slower groups are more out to socialize and enjoy the scenery than to worry about keeping any sort of pace.

You'll find that the slower groups are more out to socialize and enjoy the scenery than to worry about keeping any sort of pace.


Slow rides are generally not competitive, and they generally have a no-drop policy. You should be OK.


+1
Speak with the ride leader before the ride just to get a feel for the terrain/pace/frequency of stops, etc. As mentioned, C & D pace rides are generally not competative. To give you an idea of ride pace, here's how our local group breaks it down (aabts may be different):
A Pace = 19 to 21 mph (few if any stops)
B Pace = 16 to 18 (few if any stops)
C Pace = 13 to 15 mph (stops each 10 to 15 miles)
D Pace = 0 to12 mph (slowest rider pace, several stops)

Go out and ride...... Most importantly, Have Fun.......

It there is a D group, people there are not there to compete, but just to have fun going for a ride together. These types of groups are very supported and you should have nothing to worry about. Enjoy!

Don't sweat it you'll have a ball.

Meeting up with a bunch of riders you don't know can be a bit intimidating. Last year I jointed the local bike club (NFBC) and started participating in weekly rides. At first is was a bit strange because a larger percentrage of the riders are 50+. There are younger riders as well, but the majority is older. For that matter most members are around my parent's age. I joined up with a slower group and ended up having a great time. Everyone was very friendly. I found that I could ride faster that the slow group so on the next ride I went out with the slightly faster group. Last year I had signed up for big centry ride (CanAm - start in the USA, cross over into Canada and eventually back into the USA mostly following the Niagara river). I didn't know a single person when I started the ride. I found a group that was riding at a pace that suited me nicely and we all rode together for the day. I had an absolute blast.

So go out and have a good time. Start with the slow group and get to know some folks. If you find that was too easy, then move up to the "C" group and see how that fits your cycling abilities. I certainly enjoy riding solo, but it is also lots of fun to ride faster with a group.

Happy riding,
André

Just ride with them, if there is a no drop policy you will be fine, who knows you may be faster than you think. Remember there will be the rest of us fat cyclist riding all over the country that day.

Advice - Go out and have fun.. Don't worry about being dropped, slow, or how you look. If you go out and just enjoy the day that is what matters!

Well how did it go?

its not till sat. i think ill be okay. the more i think about it im sure i can keep up with the bottom "d" group. i have a 15mph avg. when i ride alone and a little higher when i go out and ride with friends

goodluck with it:)

Honestly, what's the worst that could happen? You get dropped and end up riding by yourself. When you go out riding normally, aren't you riding by yourself anyways?

Who knows? You may be a lot faster than you think you are...

If you average 15 by yourself, you'll be fine in the D group. You'll even be stronger than many. If you hook up with some people of about your ability, you may end up pacelining with them and going considerably faster, especially if it's a flat ride.

For what it's worth, it's normal to be nervous about meeting a new group. All of a sudden, you're the new guy. It's a bit like High School again. ;)