Only just started group rides with my local club and I am the one that you would pick up as sweep. I have noticed one thing however and that is my position in the pack as we re-start after a sweep. If I am at the back--I will stay there. No picking up speed and that gap that opens up 6 riders in front of me will get bigger. It's not me that made the gap but I get dragged down by it. When the others have re-gained energy they pull away leaving me at the back. I just cannot pick up speed once I have settled into a rhythm. But If I start 2nd or 3rd in the line I stay up the front. I get dragged along by the strong guys and when I have to put in energy for a short spell- I can do it to retain my position. But that 15 mph-Last ride out along the seafront they were doing 21 mph and I stayed with them but I wished I had been with the back markers. Those 3 miles with a tow still hurt.

The group I ride with is the 15 miles at 15 mph. May seem low distance and speed but the next group up is 26 miles at 18 mph. Too fast for me and I am not going with the 50+ mile group. They are long distance at 21 mph on the flat but a hilly ride slows them down to 20.