kycycler

Sunday morning I was invited to ride with some of the customers I have at the bike shop I work part time at. I said what the heck as I was going to go or a ride anyway. I showed up and immediately new I was in trouble. At 65 I was the most "senior" person present. The ride started off easy enough at about a 16mph pace. This soon increased to 18mph. From there it only got worse. We hit some hills and I watched the group pull away form me. At the top of the hills the group waited for me. Some jokes were passed around as I caught my breath. We then took off again and the pace climbed into the 20mph range. I was barely hanging on to the tail end. More hill were next and I was dropped again. After about 50 miles of this "fun" we got back to the ride start. needles to say I was whipped. Next time some tri guys ask me to ride with them I think I will decline.

maddmaxx 

Congratulations on surviving. I'll bet you still had fun.

Allegheny Jet

I bet you go back for more fun (suffering).

kycycler

Great training, next time I will know what I am in for. You are correct that I will be back for more punishment.

Hermes

My favorite part of this situation is when the last one up arrives at the top of the climb, the others have been waiting and recovering. They are ready to hand out more punishment. I have been on both sides of this equation and as long as the abilities are not too far apart, it is all good.

stapfam

Right- You have taught them a lesson- They either ride at your pace- Or they don't ride with you in future.

bobby c

The cool thing is you showed them a thing or two. How many of those guys were thinking:

1. I wish my dad was in good as shape as you were
2. I wish I could ride with my dad and punish him

Allegheny Jet

My two boys do that on a regular basis. They wont ever say "that was a good hill dad". If I stay with the fastest group on a ride I'll get comments/response afterwards like "you throw your bike back when you stand", "you always spit on me" or "why do you take pulls?" The're relentless, but I continue to strive for thier acceptance.

maddmaxx 

As far as the kids go..........I'm the only mechanic in the house................

Red Rider

I don't know why that makes me laugh so hard.

Donegal

Next time remember that you are the local wrench. You must check every one of their bikes and make sure their brakes are adjusted properly and tight. Also they must have the mandantory 57 lbs. of air in their tires. I ride w/ two tri-guys and they like to put a hurting on me. Rides like that will make you faster. Enjoy.

P.S. I also wrench on all my friends bikes.

will dehne

I have been there done that.
There are two options:
One, avoid that situation.
Two, train to improve.
I have found that using a resistance trainer wisely does wonders for your condition. Do 3 miles sitting down at 95 to 120 RPM and 17 to 21 MPH. Get off the bike and get your HR down to the 90's.
Repeat that over and over.
Go and give the same group hell. They wont know what happened.

Bone Head

You are a much stronger rider than the group......They had more time than you to rest at top of the hills...

Reynolds 

Tri guys?
If you somehow manage to hold their wheel, you probably could outsprint them at the finish.

professorbob

Been there as well. But every time I ride with them, I get a little better. You will too.

djnzlab1

HI,
Its a sadistic trait of many conditioned bike riders, ask the newbie to come along for a easy ride at 14-16 mph, and then 3 miles from the gate they start to sprint a little and you glance down and see that 18mph, and they are still pulling away.
You hear your heart pounding in your chest your breathing thru your mouth and they wait at at the stop sign for you and drink their water telling bike crash stories, and ask hey are you ok??? My answer is this yes ,, and please tell my wife I love hercough gasp ..
DOug

PSPS I then plan to ride harder the next couple weeks upgrade my bike ,check everything, lube the chain, check the hubs. and train like there's no tomorrow, and after you can easily hold 18 mph average, I try the roadies again..
Some guys never learn..