I've been cycling for almost exactly 2 years now, so still a novice. I am 48, 5'11, 158lbs. I've been doing club rides for quite a while now, but usually just the easier "no one gets dropped" ones in the 15-17mph range. Last week, however, I started doing the Saturday B run which is a 55mile rolling ride that is usually completed at around 20-21mph average. This ride starts steady, builds tempo, and then goes full pelt "through-and-off" and eases off toward the end. (Well I'd hope it eases off, but I haven't gotten that far yet to be sure).

Last week I managed to stay in the group, taking turms on the front, until about half-way, when I lost the wheel due to a lack of concentration at a little kick up in the road that caught me out. At this point the group is doing 25mph+ in a single line with a tail wind, and I couldn't get back on. I'm not saying I wouldn't have got dropped pretty soon anyway, but I ended up finishing the route myself with a 19.0mph average speed, which is fast for me.

Anyway, I'm still very inexperienced at this. Does anyone have any useful tips for tomorrow's ride? Since I'm new, they don't mind me missing turns until I get up to their fitness levels, so I am thinking of trying to stay in the middle of the bunch so I have time to react if I start falling back. Also at the front of my mind is to keep concentrated and to be ready for climbs and inclines as I'm not that familiar with this route.

Also, training-wise, I think I need to get a more structured routine. The last few months, I've been riding about 150m per week over 6 days. Group rides Sat - 40-60m, Sun - 35m, Wed -22m and on the other days I just do my own thing with usually a Monday or Friday rest. Do you have any ideas for the type of training I should be doing to improve, even a daily routine to follow? I would say I need to improve climbing and top speed most of all.

Any BF wisdom on these matters would be much appreciated.