Very common misconception. What maybe a fast pain filled speed for you may very well be a comfortable riding speed for someone else. A cyclist who has a decent fitness level can ride in a group at 25mph and sill see the birds and smell the flowers. Sounds like maybe you just need to find the right group.

+1 Some of my faster rides occur when i'm riding along chatting with a rider faster than myself. It seems when I relax and just ride, it becomes mind over matter.

+1
As a new rider who rides alone 99.9% of the time, I was amazed when the last time I was out riding, a rider caught up to me and we got to talking. We rode together for about three miles and every time I looked down at the cycle computer, I was pedaling about 5 rpm higher than normal, and we were doing about 1.5 mph faster than my average pace.

I must be fortunate having two weekly group rides with A, B, and C groups. The B is good for working on paceline and group skills and the C group is great for hanging out with the hot soccer moms and trophy wives.

That's easier said then done when you are so young

The biggest problem I'm finding is the pounds are not melting away nearly as fast. Now my diet isn't perfect, but its way better than it was in the past. Hoping I can string a few 100 mile weeks in a row and then the weight loss will come, the strength will improve and the fitness will be coming along.

Great story! Most of us have been there, just not man enough to publish the experience. Keep riding and soon you'll look back at this and laugh.

I was just dropped probably worse than this on my first group ride. Not only did I get dropped from the group I started with, but I got past by 2 other groups who were out riding that day. It was still fun. I lasted right around 7 miles with a 20+ mph average. It was still fun and it pushed me harder than I do when I ride alone. I will definitely go out again and hopefully get better. Maybe one of these days I won't get dropped, and then maybe I will be able to ride up front and do some pulling.

Wowzers, a four year old thread that got resurrected twice!

I had a similar occurrence last month with a local club that met at the same spot that a charity team I joined was meeting at and I went with the wrong group. Posted the story at my blog: https://14bikes.wordpress.com/2009/05...ng-the-rabbit/

Well, I'm not 23 that's for sure! If I were a Pro Rider I'd be in the twilight of my career.

-Fbmxer

Trust me, the next 9 years get harder to lose weight. It can be done, but not as easy as when you are 38.

Thanks, Panic. You chose a good nic for that statement

Fixed.

And this seems to be a recurring theme for many group rides. It seems that many advertise X mph and end up with a group who wants to go X + Y mph.

Group rides can be great but I can't help wonder how many people with real potential just give up and play tennis because of this idiosyncrasy in the sport.