i love and agree with everything in your post expect for
4) Lose a lot more weight before attempting to match the skills of people who have been cycling for years.
screw that in this trip
- Road 21 miles
- did better than some
-did worse than other
- Discovered a lot about your self
Just think of this as the test run, next time you can go with the slower group and pull the whole way there since you will be faster
. You did all this after a 20 mile ride the day before and not eating right ( you should know better) .
Don't let a bunch of carbon road freaks ( kidding kidding please don't flame me) carrying half you load turn you off
I would ride with you but there is a giant puddle of water between us