Originally Posted by
Wrecks24
So I started road biking about three months ago and I know that I suck, but I have been riding these local shop rides. I cannot keep up with the main group for the life of me, the ride is 25ish miles, mixture of "elite" type riders, women and older dudes. I even struggle to maintain speed with ALL of them. I am 43 and retired from the Army so its a little bit of ego. My bike is a Carbon bike with Ultegra gear set, so I know its me and not the bike. Now, I don't have the option of riding everyday to build up as I have a job and I also have two kids that are involved in sports and other activities that take up much of my free time. I just want to be able to hang with at least the majority of the riders. Any advice for a new guy?
It actually sounds like you are doing fine. Check your ego and just keep riding. Find a ride that is a little bit slower and you will feel better about yourself. Others have already said what needs to be said about training. If you only have time for one 25 mile group ride per week, your progress might be slower than you might like. You might do better just riding solo or with a slower group of riders, start your rides out a little slower, then ramp up the intensity over time.
Your situation reminds me of a guy I met a few years ago in my Tae Kwon Do classes. He was also ex military, and very frustrated he seemed to not be getting much better at it. The thing is, like you, he had work committments so he only had time to go to class one hour a week. But the thing is, if you only have time to do something one hour a week, it stands to reason you will find yourself getting your butt kicked, literally, by people who are putting more time in. And the guy eventually took time off because of an injury and never came back. Which is too bad because once a week was better than doing nothing.
And the same goes for you and your riding. If you can hang with people riding 18 mph for 10 miles, imagine what you can do pacing yourself at 15 mph?