Originally Posted by RobbieTunes

The larger group will predict "50 miles at 18mph" and then ride 65 at nearly 20mph, generally higher in the beginning, leaving anyone not running 21-22 in the dust quite early. It's my belief they mean 18mph for the entire ride, including off-bike stops. I've never seen them stop for more than 15 minutes, and never more than once in an entire ride. However, if you are pulling with this group, you set the speed, be it 15mph or 23mph. You just have to survive the 23mph guy in order to pull your 15mph turn! Upon requests, they'll run slower, but will have sprints right before the rest, and again at the end, generally with a breakaway. It's sort of fun, once you are self-confident enough to admit you're not where they are.

They encourage all new riders to join them, which lasts for maybe 5 miles, then they're gone. That's just the way they are; you either work up to their speed or don't.

My second wave training group will not ride over 14mph on any part of our route, unless we're coating downhill on the only hill we have. That's our protocol. We try to teach riding so that if a person keeps it up, they can run faster, but we're about learning to use the drivetrain, etiquette on the road, safety, and basic maintenance. I make sure those with cyclos "call out" if we exceed 14mph pace. My body seems to get nothing out of these rides, but that's not what they're for.