Corcis

About a week ago, I was offered a pair of riding shoes from a guy on my school's cycling team. He invited me alone for Saturday morning's ride and I took him up on it. I picked up a set of Ultegra pedals and cleats the next day and installed them at the Outdoor Center, rode around and tweaked the cleats once (they would've destroyed my knees where they were).
Three things that I was proven wrong on: 1. "Easy" pace does not mean easy for racers; it means easy. I was holding conversation for about three-quarters of the ride. 2. I wasn't dropped. Actually, when I fell back, one of the guys dropped back and spun alongside me. 3. I did look out of place, but no one really cared once we got rolling. (I was in a WWU team jersey as it is my only jersey, yet I'm not on the team. I got it for $40, cheaper than even most jerseys seem to go for online.)
My ride was about 33 miles. I split off from the group along with a couple other people, as I knew I was around my halfway mark. It was rather uneventful in a good way, excepting a single flat. Before this, the longest I had pulled was about five miles, in-town. I managed to stick with the group for all but about a mile, which was great. It was one heck of an experience, definitely something I will be doing again. 33 miles...damn. I look at that number and it just seems surreal.
lol, as I was heading back in by myself, I managed to fall twice within a couple blocks because I couldn't clip in/out going up hills. No blood, no foul; it was really funny, in my opinion. I can just imagine this guy in a racing team's jersey getting stuck in his pedals, squirming about, attempting to jump off the bike, then bracing for impact as he fell straight on his side. Really, if I couldn't laugh at myself, I'd be dead by now.

I love it. I liked it a lot when I would go out for rides, short jaunts to the store and back. I liked it when I bought it. I liked it when I rode to school back and forth each day on my Wal-Mart bike. I liked it when I rode to school randomly on my old Sears bike. Now, though, I love it.

dimer0

Congrats!

Being a n00b like yourself, I know how ya feel. Two years ago, 20 miles seemed like a huge accomplishment. Last year, the regular night runs (twice a week, normally) were between 30 and 40 miles. I ended up doing a 42 mile charity run (with some monster hills), and then a 52 mile ride. (All on a mountain bike)

I just picked up a Roubaix Elite yesterday, and plan on making 50 miles the 'norm' now, and would really like to do at least one century this year.

I got some SPD's late last year, and luckily I never fell off my bike once. I did have one accident that sucked, tho - while learning the proper technique for unclipping (in front of my house, in my driveway, etc) - I thought it would be safe/easier to unclip BOTH pedals before coming to a stop (so I didn't lean the wrong way, etc)... So I unclipped both, and then one of my feet slipped off the pedals, and I ended up slamming down into the top tube pretty hard... (I had enough standing clearance, it's just that my leg buckled when it hit the ground...) OUCH

substructure

Sounds like you had a good experience. I hope all your group rides will be.

SteveAZ

Sounds like a good time. Careful though, sounds like you like to go fast, group rides (especially with racers) leads to racing. That's how it all started for me. Cograts, keep it up, and have fun!

Steve

EventServices

Another one bites the dust.

Say good bye to summer picnics, BBQs, family outings, etc.

Say hello to 6-hour monster rides, City Limit sign sprints, and road trips to towns you never heard of.

kirkcubs

You know, that's one of the best posts I've ever read on this page. Well done, and congrats.
I just got my first road bike about a week ago and I'm looking forward to my first group ride.
...should be fun.

timmhaan

sweet. enjoy it - glad you found a good group to ride with.

Corcis

Steve: I did ride in the fast paceline. It was fun, but I am nowhere near as smooth my first time through, but I got a little better. It's definitely obvious that they could outpace me no problems whatsoever. I may bite, though, just for fun. Racing is next schoolyear's goal. Putting down some hundreds of miles between now and then is my immediate goal, along with general better health. Right now it's a matter of finding time between classes, homework, and when I am not physically exhausted (swimming classes 2x a week).


I wish you well in finding a good group to ride with. I think that made all the difference in the world.

ovoleg

You said you are a racer on your schools cycling team?

Thjen you mention that 33 miles is alot?

I am missing something...

mtn_mojo

You are missing something. He said he rode with his school's racing team, not that he's actually on it.

Corcis

This is the case.

ovoleg

Ahh thanks

marqueemoon

Nice report. Thanks for sharing. It sound like you found some good people to ride with.

Oh, and welcome to clipless pedals. I see you've already gone through the initiation rite