Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Just did my first group ride with some roadies in town. . .

I weigh 235 (haven't update the ticker) - and I have a Surly Cross Check with the knobby tires still (slicks on the way). I did a 37 mile ride with a group average speed of 17.8 mph. I finished every bit and stayed either at the start of the pack or in the middle the hole way. Near the end I finally figured out what is meant by the term 'bonked' - because suddenly my legs became like weights. Thank goodness we took a two minute break and someone handed me some 'gel' or something, and that seemed to help. I'm so sore right now I can barely move (my quads mainly) - but woo hoo :) We live in rolling hills too, if that makes a difference, I know it did for me.

I was the only clyde in the group. At the end, they said I was 'beastly' - I think thats a compliment. Going to go out again next Sat if I can walk by then.

I'm not sure what "beastly" meant, might as well have been a compliment yeah? Anyway, congrats on your first roadie group ride and your first bonkage.

Beastly is definitely a compliment in this case. Sounds like you beasted that ride. Just wait til you get some slicks!

Don't know where OP is at (hilliness wise), but in my neck of the woods 17.8 mph is a pretty good avg. I'm lucky to get 15 mph avg for a forty mile ride.

Yeah... next week, eat something along the way... gel pack (check out the LBS) every 45 minutes would be a good plan. If you're riding in a paceline, do your eating/drinking when you're bringing up the rear.

Yeah... next week, eat something along the way... gel pack (check out the LBS) every 45 minutes would be a good plan. If you're riding in a paceline, do your eating/drinking when you're bringing up the rear.

That's great advice! If you notice, lots of good riders are eating, if not drinking something every few minutes. It drives me carzy when ride partners are boasting about their new found super gel and super duper exercise drinks but start to bonk along the way cause they still have full bottles. Yes, the color is pretty and it matches your bike but........you're s'poded to drink it!:D

We live in rolling hills too, if that makes a difference

That makes a big difference. I'd be proud to keep up at 18 mph on a steel bike with fat knobby tires on a hilly ride.

I've been using Perpetuum in my water bottles on longer rides, and that seems to help, and easy to drink while you ride.

The 17.8 is good (meaning "faster than I normally go"), but "roadies" vary considerably, so hanging with them isn't always a big accomplishment.