Originally Posted by
merlinextraligh
+1 on keep coming back and trying. It will get easier. Try to hang just a b it further each week.
Also work on your pack riding skills. Pacelines inevitably surge and slow. Anticipate when those are going to happen so you can be smooth and use less energy.
Don't go to the front and pull. If you have to, pull through quickly (just long enough for the last guy who pulled to clear).
Learn the places you can save a bit of energy. For example you can let a small gap develop on an uphill that you know is immediately followed by a downhill.
Don't accelerate to close gaps when you know the group is going to slow anyway, and be prepared to start accelerating smoothly when the group is going to surge.
Find the biggest guy to get behind in the line.
Learning good technique helps make up for missing watts.
Originally Posted by
caloso
Consider skipping a turn if you are on the edge of blowing up. You're better off for your own training (not to mention it's better for the group) if you hang on as long as you can.
took the words outta my mouth.
but also want to give my $.02 . . . . . if you can't hang with the group for the entire ride you should not be taking pulls. like merlin said, if you do find yourself on the front, hold it only long enough to safely get over and let someone else pull.
it took me several months to get to where i was able to stay with the group for an entire ride. don't let it demoralize you. stay in the front half of the group, try to ride behind someone larger than you, etc.
also one thing to note: we are currently in what i'd call the middle of the cycling season. so most riders will be in better shape than they were in Feb. and if you've only just started group riding just be glad you're able to hang on for ~1/2 of the ride.