Originally Posted by
burnthesheep
Cool. I agree on announcing the end to the neutral zone.
I think the hills speak for themselves.
I think it’s the rollers people have trouble with. If I’m pulling I don’t lift pace much over a roller shorter than about 30 seconds. Or if it’s a false flat. Nor do the other hammers.
Hills? If earlier in ride I wait at top. No fun TTing for 40min. Later in the ride I ride on in solo OTF and make sure the beer is cold. I’ve gotten away over back to back hills a few times.
The route never changes so maybe I could use some paint with a big “GO!”.
Sounds like it's time to ride with people that aren't cat 4s and 5s anymore!
My most rapid improvement came when I was a 4 and started doing the big city 1,2,3 ride. Where I was no longer the fast guy. Where I had to hold on or get lost. Where people actually rode really, really fast, and I had to quickly learn how to be efficient. Where I learned that you never, ever attack the bottom of the hill, lest the fast people decided to attack the top and leave you for dead. Where I learned how to get into position and sprint.
It was like two seasons of racing packed into one summer of group rides.