tbdean

Three weeks ago I attempted my first group ride. It was 28 degrees and only me and the group leader, David, showed up. We went out anyways and it's an interesting ride. We hit the first hill and I shift to a higher gear and my speed drops. Normal stuff for me. David, in front of me, doesn't even flinch. He doesn't even shift, just keeps pedaling. He gets ahead of me, but me and my bike have quite a few pounds on him so I catch up on the downhill. The ride goes on like this, we do 30 miles in 2 hours 15.

The next Saturday doesn't work out, but this Saturday I had my first 'real' group experience. The weather was the same, but this time there was a group of 5 of 6 guys.

As we're getting ready everyone agrees to go easy due to the cold. That sounds good to me as I'm nervous about keeping up. We start out and I'm 2nd from the front. We hit the first hill, at a pace of about 15 MPH. I'm doing okay, this is my normal pace. But in the line of guys I'm being forced to keep my speed constant, I can't slow down for the hill like I did with David.

As we warm up the speed starts creeping upwards. I look down and we're already doing 21. There's now 2 guys ahead of me and a gap is forming. Eventually I find myself at the very back riding like the first Saturday. But someone from the group notices and they tell me to get in the middle. They're a great bunch of guys, always yelling out things like "grab onto my wheel" or "here, get in the middle". We do the same route, but 15 minutes faster.

It was a great experience, and I'll defiantly be there next Saturday. It really pushed me further then I normally ride. My legs still hurt!

gfrance

Sounds like you found the right group. Keep it up and have fun.

trin2du

It's great that you found a good bunch of guys who may be in a little better shape than you. Great way to get faster.

JC 911

Where is your ride at? Just curious as I live in Roswell.

bigskymacadam

nice report. that's how all first ride's should start. glad you had a good time.

tbdean

We meet every Saturday morning at 11 AM in the Walmart parking lot on Lawrenceville-Suwanee and Satellite in Suwanee. From there the ride goes up to Lake Lanier and then back. Although I think they mix up the routes sometimes.

PM me if you want David's email, he sends out a Google Calendar invite each week.

OCRider2000

You'll be amazed how fast your fittness increases by riding with people who are stronger than you. Eventually you will find yourself taking long pulls at the front like everyone else.

draxine

I also had my first group ride very recently (this weekend), but i ended following the wrong guy who was actually doing laps round this park rather than the long trip the group was going on

Anyway, my friend was forced to stop and wait for me while I turned back after noticing no one was with me. He wasn't too pleased as we were about 3 minutes behind the group at this point. We tried to catch up, but we didn't know the exact route - only the halfway break point - so we set off that way in the hope of catching the group up. We didn't meet up with the group in the end as they might have gone via a different route and arrived at a different time. Still, it ended up being a great 116km ride which we both enjoyed.

Hopefully, next time I'll be able to stick with the group a little better!

msheron

Thats cycling.

wrote4luck

I did my first group ride 2 months ago, and now I'm hooked. The local hill ride yesterday had about 70 people total and most of them are racers, so our average was around 23. It's way more fun riding in groups than alone.

platypus

being with the group will usually push you to stick it out a little longer than most folks will do solo - it's a great way to jumpstart your fitness. Sounds like you were in with a good bunch of guys.

BigBlueToe

To each his own I guess. The idea of someone barking orders while I'm riding is anathema to me. When I ride in groups I go my own speed, pick my own spots (in front, in back, solo) and "form up" at the top of hills or at turns. But I do like the idea of riding with people who are in a little better shape, as an incentive to push myself a little.

I'm glad you've found a group you like.

GuitarWizard

There's a difference between people "barking out orders" while being annoyed at the person they're giving orders to, and "yelling out" to be helpful and encouraging.

Sounds like this group falls into the latter category.

VegaVixen

+1

Wish I could find a supportive group like that to ride with around here. Women cyclists are definitely in the minority, and, while my performance could benefit from keeping up with the guys, they don't seem to enjoy having women along so much.

How do you guys feel about women being on your group rides?

bdcheung

A cyclist is a cyclist.

waterrockets 

I lead a developmental group ride that is about 30%-50% women. I'm happy to be helping them get into the sport, and they seem to have a great time.

I can't imagine why a group wouldn't like to have a woman along. If there's some enormous fitness disparity, some won't like going slow, but that could happen with a man too.

There's another ride here in Austin (ATC) that has a lot of women as well, and they also are just part of the gang. That ride has as many as 200 cyclists.

VegaVixen

I actually prefer to hang out and to ride with guys since my education and career is engineering, and I enjoy the bawdy male company. I'll just tough it out. Riding with them can only make me stronger. I suspect because I can't lead it's a problem or something. We'll see how it goes by mid-season.

Thanks for the encouraging report, waterrockets, and for your comment, bdcheung. I'd certainly feel welcomed and challenged riding with you guys!

waterrockets 

Yeah, you can have a lot of fun. There's a woman who joined us on our company lunch ride today for hill repeats on a really steep hill. Her husband joined us as well, and she was lagging just behind him on each repeat. On the last climb I rode back down to her and pushed her up to her husband (silently), then gave one huge shove and moved in behind his wheel. She flew by him like he was going backwards, and kept on going.

Good times...

Keep at it!

twahl

That's how I ride with smaller guys too, defiantly.

tbdean

The spell checker in FireFox 2.0 helps a lot, but it can only do so much...

However, I think the sentence still works.

"I'll defiantly be there next Saturday"

In the background: 'Eye of the Tiger'

Greg180

Sorry but this just gave me a good laugh. I could just see myself in the same situation. "You know this road looks familar...DOH!"

twahl

It absolutely works, and it's more funny!

That's why I pointed out!