Celebrated Labor Day by riding in a 106 mile organized ride with only 4400 ft of climbing. We averaged 24 mph for the first 55 miles-but the pace seemed easier than that-at least while I was actually in the group.

However I got dropped from a group of about 30-40 at 30 miles and surprised myself by bridging back up. There was a group of about 8 that gone out front and were a steady couple hundred yards ahead of our larger group. We just didn't seem to be able to close the gap. We hit a pretty fast stretch and somehow I wound up out front and did a humongous pull to cut into the gap-and pushed the pace up so high I could not get back myself on other wheels. I dropped off and figured I'd just wait on the next riders and did not expect to see the larger group again. After a few miles they were completely out of sight. A couple other riders came up after a couple more miles and we worked really hard and I was able to launch them back up to the group.......only to leave myself about 100 yards short with no help. Somehow I eventually got myself back on the larger group with another large effort.

That was probably the furtherest back from the lead group I've been where I was able to bridge back up. It had to be the bike.......

Ye playeth "a game with which I am not familiar".

I agree with Billydonn. I have no idea what you are talking about. Sometimes on a great day I can hold 24 MPH for a few miles. I pay dearly for that burst of speed the rest of the day. I ride a number of centuries each year, but at a speed I can last.

I am very happy you can do this, but have no idea what you people are doing in those groups.

So those PEDs are working out!

Once I get dropped I doubt that I could ever catch up unless there were some unexpected circumstances that slowed the group that dropped me.

Yeah, averaging 24 MPH over that kind of distance, (or much smaller distances) even in a group, is beyond my comprehension. But also, catching up to a fast group after you've been dropped, that's about the greatest feat in group riding. Very hard, very impressive.

That doesn't sound like much fun, worring about not keeping up with the "group". But, to each his own.

Great job jppe! And I would not say that 41'/mile of climbing over 106 miles is "only". Your time trailing experiance came in handy. Don't you just hate it when you do all the work pulling guys back to the group only to have them fly around you and complete the bridge leaving you hanging?

Especially going downhill!

I can understand where you are coming from. For me it's based on what I'm out there planning to do for that day. I enjoy riding in groups but also enjoy the solo stuff as well. I got a good dose of both yesterday.

And I KNOW better as well. Pulling a group of 30 for that long was just dumb-but I thought I could jump back in and catch some wheels. Little did I know I was riding that hard or that a nice hill lay just ahead.......and the second time the visual of seeing us reeling in the large group was motivating-plus I had a really nice TT rhythm going. I misjudged that I could sustain the pull until latching onto the rear of the group. I guess what surprised me the most was mounting a 3rd effort to get back on by myself. All of that cost me in the long run as I paid dearly about 25 miles later.

Well there's your problem right there. No amount of elbow flicking will get anyone to help you out until you stencil it on their foreheads. Plus, whose fault was it to take too long a pull?....

What happened to the Deep Woods Off, the elixir of champions?

Nice job latching back on, though, that's pretty tough to do after getting dropped, twice.

Most of my riding at 24mph is done in suffering mode so it doesn't last for very long.

I'm working hard (doing intervals on my commute) to improve my ability to get up to speed quickly, and to generate bursts of 'bridging speed'. Having started doing group rides for the first time, with a club that stretches my abilities, my goal right now is to finish one darned ride with the group, instead of by myself. There is generally a regroup after long climbs - a stop to refill water bottles and such - but losing the group as it accelerates away from a stop or a corner generally means riding the rest of the way solo, or with other 'dropees'. The fast guys in front will tend to jet off quickly to about 23. I can push that speed only briefly if I'm not drafting, so if I let a gap form, I am in trouble fast. I learn a bit more, and get a bit stronger each weekend. This weekend's ride is a tough one by my standards: 63 miles with 2,300' of climbing. Unless they take a long water break, it will be adios amigo long before the end. I'm at a point where I am in between the B group, which has a wide range of abilities and constantly stops to regroup, and the A group, which has a higher cruising speed, accelerates like mad, and doesn't stop for anyone, anytime.

So, bottom line, I understand how you must feel to have made those bridges, and respect the effort, and especially the training, that made it possible.

I'm so slow, it's best I don't know my actual speed or change in elevation.
No computer on my bike

And I'm not jealous.
Just happy to mosey along at my own pace.

I know what happen. He needs to be sure his batteries are fully charged before he rides with "that" again. :-0 Oh sorry, wrong forum. lol

" I got a good dose of both yesterday." -- jippe

I laugh because I'm a B-B+ rider when my knee lets me. Congrats on the third bridge!

Brad

In order to bridge gaps like that I rely on quantum fluctuations and the instantaneous entry into and egress from parallel universes.

That and lots of drugs.

ALL of my riding at 24mph is done downhill

Nice job, jppe.

Yeah, that's where I am. Or similar. I've spent a lot of time dropped by stronger ridrers but more serious than the others and therefore in no man's land-riding alone. But increasingly I'm keeping up with somewhat stronger riders provided that they let me do a lot of drafting, so maybe in a few seasons....

Jppe... Is this really the 50+ forum? I want to start taking whatever you are taking! I just had a good crap and I feel like I really accomplished something.

I don't know about that ... all you have to do is keep going and catch them when they stop for pie ...

It sounded like a great ride and effort. Group dynamics make cycling more interesting and a lot more fun. I feels great to put out a big effort that pays off.