Originally Posted by
Athens80
Why do people do whatever possible to hammer up hills and then drift back on descents and flats? And also at leaving stops, starting across the intersection and down the street ultra slow?
Why not maintain a fairly steady power on the flats, a little harder uphill, a little easier downhill, without slacking off for long periods?
Reverse that. Steady on the flat, a little easier uphill (not hammering it), a little harder downhill. That's how you keep it steady. If you're on the front you should never, ever be coasting. You should be doing threshold plus on every downhill that isn't having you spin out, because everyone behind you will be coasting/soft-pedaling.
This was the number one reason I stopped riding with most groups. Too slow when they need to go fast, too fast when they need to go steady. Too slow over the top of hills, too slow down the hills, too slow on the fast bits, too slow after intersections, and then attack the hills! Plus too many stops.