Originally Posted by TenSpeedV2

Did my first real group road ride on a geared bike. Seriously considered taking my fixed gear and am so glad that I did not, so is my ego. Gotta keep that in check. In my mind, I am in great shape. In real life on the bike, not so much. Did alright the first 20 miles out on the country roads which I hate riding in the lead pack. We did that first 20 miles in 1 hour, 1 second. The last 5 miles......oy. After the main pack broke away and the gap started, that was it. I could not keep up to catch it. This couple on a tandem were just killing it out there leading most of the way and a few times, I swear on everything I know, they were ACCELERATING up the hills. I pull up along side of the tandem at one point, and this couple is having a normal conversation. I am breathing like I just ran up 200 flights of stairs, and they are talking about their next ride. The last 5 miles were pretty rough out there by myself fighting that wind. I didn't pull into the lot last, so that was good.