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My first club ride didn't go well

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My first club ride didn't go well

Old 09-25-14, 12:26 PM
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A learning experience. I bet your adrenaline was going pretty good since it was your first group ride so I'm guessing you burned yourself out on that first hill. Next time pace yourself a little better; or select rides that are not hilly or quite as long. The other thing is that your bike is not well suited for the ride you took, but it could be. If you're going to ride mainly on pavement, get a more road friendly tire (28's with a good smooth tread). Finally, the more you ride the easier it gets so keep going. Good story.
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Old 09-27-14, 09:01 PM
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I've witnessed club rides, and spoken to some of the members. I'll pass. I have zero interest in racing, and I don't care much for the "if you didn't spend $x,000 for the frame and another $x,000 for a Campy/Dura Ace/Sram group set, you don't have a bike worth riding" attitude. Not to mention that a MOUNTAIN BIKE is DEFFINATELY NOT welcome ...
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Old 09-29-14, 08:28 AM
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I have a DS and did 100 miles earlier this year with a couple of friends on road bikes their bikes did not climb any better and did not go any faster... trust me when I say it is not the bike it is the engine, you simply need to condition yourself better. It doesn't help that the people on the club ride are probably ALL avid riders and well conditioned, whoever invited you really did not consider your riding level or maybe you over estimated it.

Fact is you really need to be TOP shape for to get any discernible performance improvement in switching bike. Another member here posted his speeds with his own TT bike, road bike, and hybrid, the difference is not big enough to matter unless you are really in a professional athlete/race type of conditions.
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Old 09-29-14, 12:12 PM
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Not a big fan of club rides. You always need to be on time, cannot easily set the pace or route you like, if the level is not the same among the group, probably you won't enjoy much (like the guys flying up on the hill while you're the weak link), always need to be alert for hazards you may not see easily, you are usually not the one to decide when and where to rest and how long, chance of a domino accident, .... Ok to be fair here's the positives it is a great way of socializing, going fast without getting tired as much (not true if you're going uphill though), if you encounter a problem there's someone to help, better visibility in traffic, higher chance of avoiding road rage.

So I usually ride alone. Sometime I tag along the tail of the group rides and drift with the pace. While they're taking turns to set the pace, guess who's just riding in the back? and if i'm tired or bored, slow down and continue with my own pace.

Lastly if you'd like to continue to ride with a group of road bikes, unless they set a +20mile pace, I think you can do it with your hybrid. Use thinner tires like they do. I use Continental Gatorskins 28mm width. Made a big difference compared to the stock 32mm (threaded) tires. For uphill performance, change to clip in pedals and shoes. Adding the reverse force will definitely improve your climbing speed. If they are riding long rides definitely consider a more comfortable seat. Don't let long rides create saddle soreness.

Last edited by RocTurk; 09-29-14 at 12:22 PM.
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Old 09-29-14, 01:03 PM
  #30  
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I did an organized ride a few years ago with a group from BikeForums (Lancaster Covered Bridges Metric Century), and it was a definite learning experience. I was on a hybrid was over 50 years old and weighed over 300 pounds. I had done rides up to 68 miles the previous year or two, so I figured this metric century would be fun. I should have sensed the impending doom when I went for the easy spin with some people from the group the night before the big ride... I was barely able to keep up.

The day of the ride, I felt good, and kept up with the group on the flats, then we hit the first mild incline and I watched the others disappear into the distance. THis happened at the start, and after each rest stop. When I hit each rest stop, they were waiting for me, so I filled my water bottle and/or grabbed a quick bite to throw into my mouth and take off so that the others didn't have to extend their break, because by the time I got there, they were ready to go.

At the half way stop, I arrived as they finished lunch, and told them all to ride on, because I wasn't feeling well, and would be taking the sag vehicle back. This was completely true, since I was suffering from the early signs of heat exhaustion (It was a very hot August day).

The difference between barely making 30 miles, and completing 68 miles? Riding at a reasonable pace for me... A hybrid rider might keep up with a road bike if the hybrid rider is in better shape than the road rider, but otherwise a hybrid rider could be better served to ride with someone of equal ability.

Last week I did 46 miles with a friend similar to me as far as bike and ability. We started with a group of 30 or so riders. By the time we finished, nobody was around, but we had a great time because we both pushed our limits a bit, but didn't worry about keeping up with the other people who were obviously in better shape than we were.

If you are compelled to push yourself, that is fine, but the bottom line is to do what you enjoy to keep yourself on the bike long term.
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Old 09-29-14, 01:08 PM
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Originally Posted by woodyman4916
Got my Trek DS about a month ago. Last week I was invited to a 45 mile "hilly" club ride by a friend who found out that I had started riding. I thought 400 miles in a month was enough that I could at least bring up the rear. WRONG!!
I had a similar experience. Showed up to a hilly 30 miler on my Trek DS 8.3 and gym shorts. Everyone else in full kit on high end carbon fiber road bikes. I was at the back of the pack for the whole ride as well, but it really inspired me to push myself further.

First thing it did is make me want a road bike. It's clear that they climb WAY better than a hybrid and the riders are expending less energy throughout the ride. Don't bring a knife to a *** fight.

Flash forward a year and I'm now on a Specialized Roubaix and wish I would have gotten there sooner. Also now doing weekly group rides with twice the climb of that first ride and staying with the front group.

I bet if you tell what area you are in that some good person from this forum could find a suitable group ride for you.
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Old 09-29-14, 02:02 PM
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Originally Posted by intransit1217
Most of us have probably been there in one form or another. Charlie has it right. Rest is equally as important, if not more, than the training part.
train like you are exercising, not like you are a pro cyclist (riding every day)
after 5 years of riding all the time, i gained the skill of spinning, but never got much more than 1 mph faster.

Last edited by Lone; 09-29-14 at 02:07 PM.
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Old 09-29-14, 07:04 PM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by Jarrett2
First thing it did is make me want a road bike. It's clear that they climb WAY better than a hybrid and the riders are expending less energy throughout the ride. Don't bring a knife to a *** fight.

Flash forward a year and I'm now on a Specialized Roubaix and wish I would have gotten there sooner. Also now doing weekly group rides with twice the climb of that first ride and staying with the front group.

I bet if you tell what area you are in that some good person from this forum could find a suitable group ride for you.

LOL@ the wanting a road bike. I did a 55 mile Medio Fondo with 5300 feet of elevation gain yesterday. I spent the last 15 miles really wanting a road bike.
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Old 10-03-14, 04:25 PM
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Originally Posted by woodyman4916
LOL@ the wanting a road bike. I did a 55 mile Medio Fondo with 5300 feet of elevation gain yesterday. I spent the last 15 miles really wanting a road bike.
At the risk of saying something you already know, I will offer this qualified advice. Being the new owner of a Novara (REI) Safari hybrid, I feel your pain and frustration in trying to get your speed up. Having only been back on a bike for a month after a long absence, I have gone from 10-12 mile rides to 24 mile rides and a few 34-36 mile rides. My average speed is 12.5 - 13.5, but it is coming up. I find it helpful to go on medium rides early in the week, longer rides later in the week, with rest days in between, and a shorter ride the day after a long ride, to flush the system. Then repeat with medium, and do interval training on the second medium ride (pedal like hell from telephone pole to telephone pole, then relaxed cadence until you recover, then repeat). Resting a day between rides helps. My speed is low, but I am sporting 700x40 tires, which are comfy but slow. Don't rest too much or the return to riding may find your legs sluggish, at least for the first 10 miles or so. I find the progression from medium to longer rides builds my stamina, and rest followed by interval training followed by rest will increase my average speed. Imagine how fast I will feel when I rescue my sport bike from the rain forest sun porch where it hangs among the plants, and pedal a sport bike on 25mm tires. I bought the hybrid for long distance touring, because my sport bikes aren't made for hauling luggage. Or traveling gravel roads. And it was on sale. What's your excuse for owning a hybrid? Maybe you just need to ride with other hybrid riders and enjoy the riding rather than comparing your speed to the road warriors'. You anywhere near me? Congrats on 55 miles.

Last edited by DeadGrandpa; 10-03-14 at 04:29 PM. Reason: punctuation
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Old 10-03-14, 09:22 PM
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I love group rides, I have gone from someone who had not been on a bike 20+ years in May, to helping run a club now... I got lucky though, and found a club that catered to new riders and was full of riders just like me.. either new to it, or slow for whatever reason. Some on Road Bikes, Some on Hybrids, even a few on MTB's... Look up cycling on meetup or some other website like that, Im sure you find a groups nearby that does lower level rides.


BTW.... Of course I do want a road bike whenever I can afford one... cant help wanting one of those when you spend as much time road riding as I do.
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Old 10-04-14, 08:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Vexxer
BTW.... Of course I do want a road bike whenever I can afford one...
Ditto!
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Old 01-03-15, 05:13 PM
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Originally Posted by woodyman4916
Got my Trek DS about a month ago. Put 400 miles on it with some hill climbs thrown in just to get my feet wet. Last week I was invited to a 45 mile "hilly" club ride by a friend who found out that I had started riding. I thought 400 miles in a month was enough that I could at least bring up the rear. WRONG!!

I went today and got dropped on the first climb. I was the only flat bar there but thought I could at least keep up with the lady old enough to be my mother. Wrong again! Everyone in the group climbed past me on the first hill. They eventually assigned a 68 year old diabetic on a 2013 Modone 5.2 to stay back with me. He had to check his blood sugar every 10 miles and would wait for me. We got back to the meetup point with just my friend and the old guy's wife left in the parking lot.

I just didn't realize how much work I have to do on my engine. Frankly, I left embarrassed.

Recovery tomorrow and Monday I hit the hills again. I may never climb as well as that old diabetic, but I am gonna try.
Well 3months has past, and just wondering If things are going better now in grup rides? Cheers mate :-)
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Old 01-03-15, 05:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Lt Stonez
Well 3months has past, and just wondering If things are going better now in grup rides? Cheers mate :-)
After 2,800km on the road and 21,000 meters of elevation gain, yes things are better now. I still work very hard to keep up (Bike is 34 pounds with cages, pedals and seatbag). I do repeats and the like on my solo rides to train.
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Old 01-03-15, 05:36 PM
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Great to hear. Have you tried a roadbike now in a grup ride? It most be really easyer to keep up with the rest of the grup?
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Old 01-03-15, 05:36 PM
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400 miles a month makes for a good base. That is if you do it for minimum 3 months and even better six months. Try doing 200 miles, three hundred miles, four hundred miles. then do 250, 350,450. Do a stair step and cycle back and start the progression over. Don't be too bummed about getting dropped on the first climb. It will take time. Riding hills all the time will not get you there. You need a mix of hard and easy days with the weight being on long easy days to build cardiac endurance. Of course it is more complicated than that. I would suggest being very recovered before doing anything intense. You will gain more from it if you are fresh.

Don't be embarrassed. Your failure on the hills was not a character defect. No one is judging you.
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Old 01-03-15, 06:04 PM
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I've found on sportier rides even with a road bike it's hard to keep up. I managed to hang once and found at the end of the ride we had managed 18.5 average, which included stop signs and direction changes. It seemed awesome at the time.
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Old 01-04-15, 06:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Lt Stonez
Great to hear. Have you tried a roadbike now in a grup ride? It most be really easyer to keep up with the rest of the grup?
I can keep up with most of the group rides as long as it's not a hammer fest. I sometimes have to skip a pull or two though.
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Old 07-14-15, 06:01 PM
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Its been 6 months since your last post to this thread. Also, looks like you added a Trek road bike to your arsenal. So, how are things now? Did the road bike make a huge difference, or was it more conditioning.
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Old 07-14-15, 09:40 PM
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Don't feel bad! I joined a ride sponsored by a local LBS this past Saturday. There were 12, 26, and 41 mile rides. I expected to be dusted by road bikers. I was one of two hybrid riders. Yes I did get blown away by the road bikers, riding mainly higher end Specialized bikes, some with TT and Tri-cross bikes. The area is located just south of where I live and very hilly. However, my Rolling Stones was the talk of the ride! The Stones played here the night before but I did not go. 8-)) Beautiful day and I completed the 26 mile route. The 7.4 FX did well!

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Old 07-15-15, 09:13 PM
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Originally Posted by woodyman4916
They eventually assigned a 68 year old diabetic on a 2013 Modone 5.2 to stay back with me. He had to check his blood sugar every 10 miles and would wait for me.
I know it wasn't funny at the time but give it a few months and you'll laugh at it.

I once heard a story of being smoked by a one legged rider which I find hard to believe except it happened to a very straight tell-no-lies guy.
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Old 07-16-15, 09:59 AM
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I'll just chime in here with some of my experience this past years. I started riding again in May of 2014 after 20 year biking hiatus. My first bike out of the shoot was an s-works stump jumper. I thought I needed a mountain bike and could swap tires to ride on the road with my husband. He rode a Trek FX 7.4. After a couple of months of riding and not being able to keep up with him, I went and bought a Giant Escape 1 and upgraded it. Going to the Giant was a revelation it made the MTB feel like I was driving a jeep versus a sports car.

So, I went on riding the Giant for a while but got the itch for a new bike. I proceeded to do custom bike. Enter my Lynskey Viale. Road bike frame built with a "flat bar". Wow, what a difference. I was sooo much faster on my new bike. Not sure why though. On my Lynskey I'm 2 - 3 mph faster on average than on my Giant. Now my partner couldn't keep up with me. I just did a charity ride a couple months ago and almost kept up with the roadies.

On a whim I bought a used Trek Madone. OMG, what a revelation. I thought my Lynskey was quick, the Madone is FAST. It gets up to speed soooo quickly and I find it so much easier to maintain a higher speed. On sections of road where I was averaging 16 - 17 MPH on the Lynskey, I'm doing 20 on the Madone and it seems easier. So we bought my husband a 2016 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 105. Now we both ride fast.

Anyway, my point in this is that maybe it's not just you. It could be the bike. I'd posit that perhaps the reason why road bikers are much faster and can maintain higher speeds is probably due to riding position. Yes, you're hunched over the front of the bike but I think it makes you more aero. Also, I think with that type of riding position, your pedaling is different. Like you push your muscles in a more efficient manner. I'm just guessing here. I know that when I ride my road bike, different parts of my lower body feel like they are getting worked and again, it just feels so much easier to maintain a higher speed.

Just my .02....as long as you're riding a bike, do it so that you enjoy it. If you hate it, you'll not want to do it. So if you want to do group rides, find another group that is slower. I know that with some of my friends, they ride at a snails pace (think 12 MPH), and that's ok. I enjoy being out with my friends and just pedaling and enjoying the scenery.
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