The first ride was depressing. It was only my second group ride and second on this route. Two weeks ago over the 12 mile "fast" section we averaged 27-30, and never dropped below 25. I stayed with the lead group through til the end. I was amped, to say the least.
This week, there was a demon wind, and I made the typical mistake that I've made in every race or ride this season, I didn't make any attempt to line up near the front. At any rate, we hit the fast section, and the front group of riders gapped the group. The back of accordian came back up. The problem came when they attacked again. I was still on the back, and the guys in front of me hadn't reacted. It was too late, they were gone up the road. I don't know if I could have stuck with them in the wind, but after sprinting up the road after them, I latched on with a couple other splinters, and we pacelined it in. The whole affair was a hammerfest.
When we finished, I asked the guys what they thought had happened. How did we get dropped? What happened up front? What could all the guys who got dropped have done differently? They didn't seem too concerned. I suppose if most of the group gave up the ghost when the "fast" guys took off, that might have been part of the problem. I f**king hate getting shelled, even when I get shelled along with everyone else. That's no consolation for me.