One of the 20-something mechanics at the LBS has been asking me for the past month to join the Weds. night LBS ride. I've been wanting to join in but didn't really know how/if I'd fit in. I am, after all, 65 yrs. old and 188 lbs. But, I figured it was time to find out so I went last night. After about 5 mi. the group of 12 split into 7 A group riders and 5 B group riders. I was, of course, in the B group. Two of the guys were in their 20's, one in his 50's, a 62 yr. old ex-track racer and me. The ride was really a revelation for me. I discovered that any elevation resulted in me dropping behind. Even little climbs, if steep, had me struggling at 7 mph while everyone else was doing 10-12 mph. After a few of these near drops I realized that I was slow on the climbs but recovered quickly and didn't feel tired even at the end of the ride. In fact, I felt stronger and climbed a bit better on the second half of the ride. I was feeling old until I asked the 62 yr. old track guy how much he weighed. I was stunned. He has a similar body "profile" to me (I think) but weighs 163 lbs. Damn! I'm carrying 25 lbs more than he is. This was actually very encouraging to me. Now I'm thinking that although I'm older it's more the weight than anything that's killing me on the hills. On the flats (we were in a pace line) I was just fine. In fact, the 20 yr. olds were no faster than I was. At this point I'm pumped to lose weight so that I can see just who I can be on the bike. FWIW the ride was 31 mi. and we averaged around 16.5 mph. I'll be there next Weds.

Yeah, carrying an extra 25 pounds is like having a Schwinn Varsity strapped to your back while trying to climb.

Dump the weight. It makes a big difference. I started riding at 180 lbs. I'm down to 160 from nothing but riding and changing my diet somewhat. I've stayed away from high carb foods and sugar rich drinks. I have gone from "fill the plate with food" to "fill half the plate with food" and now I am just as full as I was when the plate was completely full. What I need to start is weight training or some other upper body exercise. There is quite a disparity between my legs, which are all muscle, and my upper body, which is not.

Good luck losing the weight. I'm sure that you can do it and keep up updated on the weight loss.

16.5 ain't bad at all. In fact, that's darn good. Ride more hills and think of spinning going up and not pounding the pedals(unless you have to...all hills are different). Use your weight to your advantage on the down hills and carry that speed into the uphill. Weighing 220, I know the feeling.

I actually decided to focus on spinning more this season and bought a computer with cadence. It's eye opening. My spinning has improved quite a bit. What I've found on the hills is that when I'm spinning in my lowest cog (25) others are spinning in their 23 or 21. So, even when our rpm's are similar I'm dropping. It really is about the weight. This is with a standard crankset btw.

dropping 25 pounds takes time, but it can be done. I did it when I started riding.

You'll get lots of advice about how to lose the weight, but along with diet, etc., the most enjoyable way to make a 30 mile, 16.5 MPH ride easier is to increase your weekly mileage. To make progress on 30 mile club rides, you should be doing 100 miles/week absolute minimum and, preferably 150+

Two years ago I was more or less where you are. Now, I'm not satisfied with my riding unless I'm getting 200 miles/week and I prefer 250. Of course, I usually don't ride with the B riders any more.

Of course it is your power to weight ratio that matters more than your absolute weight, but it's a lot easier to push that up if you drop weight at the same time you increase strength. Using quick calc's, I figure I've increased my power to weight ratio by roughly 50% over the last 9 months: 35% by weight loss, and 15% by power increase.

Congratulations on hanging with the group.

Yes, this too.

Besides weight, you are not used to the dynamics of a group ride. They always jam up the hills. Even the easy rides go less easy up hill. Your not getting tired tells me that you are not going as hard on the fast parts of the ride (hills) as you are capable of. If you did you'd be suffering because you are not used to it. That's good- it's in your head and easy to fix: just tell yourself that you are not going to get gapped on the hills no matter what. Even if it feels like you're going to explode (you won't). You'll probably have to give up and let a gap form eventually, but you'll go a lot farther before it happens. It's ok to blow up on a group ride, just keep pedalling and you will recover in a few minutes.

It took me a few years but I dropped 35 lbs (from 177 to 142). I am now a LOT faster up, well, everything, at age 50 than I was at 40.

A titanium Schwinn Varsity would weigh 25 pounds.
Besides that, good analogy.