As the OP of this thread I need to put to rest the suggestion of meds causing a problem. I am 67 and I am on ZERO meds. The meds do not enter into this thread.

That's good to hear, but it might help if you described the issue more clearly.

Are you talking about perception or motor control issues, daydreaming, or an inability to stay focused when you're trying?

We all daydream from time to time when riding. More than once, I've found myself miles away from where I'd been with no memory of what I rode through to get there.

That doesn't bother me, because just the fact that I'm still on course, confirms that I'm processing at a background level, even if not consciously aware that I am.

OTOH - if I found I couldn't control my bike, consciously or unconsciously, or couldn't marshal the needed concentration in difficult situations, or when riding in close order, then I'd be worried and want to explore what underlying issue may be involved.

So, I hope you can get the answers you need from this thread, but from what I've seen so far, we're all shooting in the dark.

I can understand your concern about group rides and being a danger to others. I don't think your challenging yourself. Try going to the front and driving the pace. If your just lolly gagging and soft pedaling in the draft, it is easy to fall asleep.

I deleted my posts to avoid derailing the conversation. Best wishes trying to find a resolution.

I concentrate in traffic, I concentrate where there are dogs or kids, and I concentrate going down fast hills. Other than that my pleasure from cycling is the lack of concentration.

Cycling involves repetitive motion. That in itself, puts the rider in a certain mindset. To counter that, it takes experience like riding with a group.

In a group ride, you do certain things. You watch the entire line, hear who is coasting, the cadence of the guy in front of you, their hand position, drops or hood, the curve of the road ahead, the traffic lights, the speed of the cars to your left, etc.

Active participation like this, even though considered very minor detail, is actually good to do.

This goes for driving a car too. There's more to skills than just driving at a safe speed and following the rules of the road.

The single most important thing "not do do"??? ear buds.

+1 - except it is NOT considered a minor detail to people who participate at a level where the simplest cycling skills are inadequate to the tasks at hand. Nobody wants an 'inexperienced' rider (in the context of the specific action) in over their head - thereby jeopardizing their safety and others. Race situations, fast group rides and pace lines are a few examples, where ..... [well, you who know, just know, eh? ]


edit: The way to gain these skills is easy, best to: ask to participate, do a ride (or 1/2 a ride) near the back and assess your ability. Come in as a friend. All capable are welcome. No disgrace whatsoever to those who cycle for any other reason, at any other level. I believe in 2 human powered wheels for almost everyone. . Not my 75yo, 'never cycled' sister with bad balance.

In your opinion.

Wow! Your post scares me.
I've only been riding 6 years but I ride 2-5K miles per year and I lead several group rides (largest was 70, smallest 15).
Losing focus? I think you said you had even ridden off the road?
I have severe ADD. When I started, I found cue sheets useless - "turn left in 0.6 miles" - I might remember that, but zero sense of time and in those 2.4 minutes my mind will have been thinking about the movie last night, why that mailbox is crooked, and a dozen other things.
After reading you don't take drugs, maybe you need some? Something is wrong. Add a blood pressure tester to your kit so you can test when this happens? Try counting backwards from 600 by a 7 interval? Like I say, I don't have a clue, but I am worried for you and I hope this works itself out. Or maybe a therapist? Or some group?

Good luck.

I'll bet it would also scare the guys he rides with, inches apart at 20+mph....

I haven't experience losing concentration on a ride, I have fiddled a bit with my computer and wandered a bit, but nothing to where I was going off the road.

About 4 years ago, at 61, one of our sons got me to try mountain biking. I can tell you that if you want to improve concentration, ride in the dirt. Even trails that are not very technical require attention as there is always something to be aware of on the trail.

John