Originally Posted by
StanSeven
All excellent advice.
I'll add that when doing group rides, let others know you are trying to improve and it's okay if they don't wait on you. Sometimes groups are very conscientious about not dropping people and you might really slow them down unintentionally.
The key is finding a group just fast enough so you improve but not so fast they constantly have to wait for you.
The groups I ride with are usually not shy about dropping people. If I'm in that situation, I hang on as long as I can and then I get dropped. It is always a little disappointing, but I can take care of myself out there if I need to. I ride on, finish by myself or with other stragglers, and know that I've pushed myself and built some strength and that I'll hang with them another day.