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07-27-04, 09:22 PM
Tonight my schedule finally worked out and I was able to go on the local 'Tuesday night ride' that I've been hearing about from my friends. Most of my rides are alone or with one other person and, although I've ridden with two or three others several times before, this was my first time with a group of more than 20 riders. It was great. It was fun. It was also faster than I expected. According to several of the 'regulars' it was one of the faster rides they've had recently. (I think I picked the wrong week to start!)
On this ride the front group averaged about 28mph on 38 miles of hilly roads and through a couple of rural towns. About 10 miles from the end fo the ride I got a bit behind the front group after a stop sign (man they get back up to speed fast!) along with two others, and we finished a bit behind. I guess that's what they call getting dropped. I wasn't really that tired, but once there was a gap I couldn't catch back up to the group. (That was my personal goal tonight -- to stay with the front group...and not puke.) After the gap formed, a couple of us tried to work together to catch them but didn't seem to be gaining much when we decided to ride back at our own pace (slower!). When we pulled in, the front group was still in the parking lot racking their bikes. I guess I'm pleased, for a first group ride. Most of the guys are younger than me and have been riding longer (I just got my first road bike last summer). It really was exhilarating to be traveling in a group on flat roads at speeds that I would usually only reach on downhills by myself. I can't wait until next Tuesday!
On this ride the front group averaged about 28mph on 38 miles of hilly roads and through a couple of rural towns. About 10 miles from the end fo the ride I got a bit behind the front group after a stop sign (man they get back up to speed fast!) along with two others, and we finished a bit behind. I guess that's what they call getting dropped. I wasn't really that tired, but once there was a gap I couldn't catch back up to the group. (That was my personal goal tonight -- to stay with the front group...and not puke.) After the gap formed, a couple of us tried to work together to catch them but didn't seem to be gaining much when we decided to ride back at our own pace (slower!). When we pulled in, the front group was still in the parking lot racking their bikes. I guess I'm pleased, for a first group ride. Most of the guys are younger than me and have been riding longer (I just got my first road bike last summer). It really was exhilarating to be traveling in a group on flat roads at speeds that I would usually only reach on downhills by myself. I can't wait until next Tuesday!