schnee

freemti, the C club in my area has a C- that's 10-13mph, but the C+ goes 16-18.

freemti

Again cut from my club's rules:

"B Expert 13- 17 mph: For experienced and stronger riders. Rest stops are
at the discretion of the ride leader. No obligation to wait if cue sheets or
maps are provided. Any distance

A Advanced 17+ mph: For very strong riders, rest stops at discretion of ride
leader. Will not wait for stragglers. Any distance"

Of course I'd agree that actual speeds are greater than the suggested rules, but C+ is not 16-18, at least not in my book. Fair minded folks can disagree, but I think you'd find that most clubs have similar guidelines.

schnee

I read it fine the first time, quoting yourself does not make your argument twice as compelling.

I did not say all clubs.
I did not say your club is wrong.
I did not say all clubs should be that way.
I said the club in my area. I was giving you another data point.

biffstephens

Go, get dropped...rinse and repeat.

Just make sure you are confotable with the route....drive it in your car or better yet RIDE IT before hand...

jrmohan

I remember my first group ride, I barely hung on, it was awful, but I lived and did it again, just do it.

Ernesto Schwein

No one is ever ready. But it doesn't matter.

TomRides

Hey Grasshopper (OP). I just really ramped up my cycling this year, and on the group rides, I always kinda started out with the slow group, and ended up close to the rear of the medium or faster group. A couple of weeks ago, usual weekday ride..there was a threat of rain and the week before everyone got SOAKED, so this week turnout was limited to mostly guys from one of the faster groups (ride is about 20mi. the weekly challenge is to do it in an hour). Anyway..what choice did I have...left the lot..good tight paceline..me at the back..everyone humming along..about 1/2 way thru I look down and notice my avg. speed was about 19.1!! My usual solo rides are in the high 15's, and recently hitting low to mid 16's, but I NEVER thought I could hang with 19!

End of story, the ride gets hilly near the end, and I hung back with a woman rider a little slower, but still finished the 20 miles at an 18.3 pace..a new personal best for me and what a blast! The adrenaline and rush of riding with a tight group I think really gets one pumped up..so just relax, most important..find your rhythm..and just go for it! You'll be inspired!

Good luck..

nvr

Just go. Get dropped. Keep going back for more. It may be a humbling experience, but you'll eventually hang on. From my experience, the majority of riders are very friendly. Tell the ride leader before you start that it's your first group ride, and ask if there are any special rules they expect everyone to follow. At my first group ride, I hung at the back of a double paceline for a few miles to get the feel for it. Like Six jours said...be smooth, be predictable, and communicate intentions. Have fun!

DerekWP

I'm pumped for you man. Go and do it. Let us know how it worked out!
Derek

float

You'll all know this evening. Got my bike, my clothes and my water all ready here at work. Should be a good time.

dr. nate

I was a runner all through high school and the first year of college before I got hurt. Then I became a slug. Then I found myself on scene getting out of breath after doing CPR for a few founds, tired after carrying gear up a few flights of stairs, I was far from in shape. In May my friends helped me discover the bicycle. Since May I have gone from 14 miles at 14 mph to 30+ miles at 20 mph. Just stick with it, and riding in a group will help you alot. Riding in a group was the best aid I found, more so if you can be allowed to stay in the middle. That way you have someone behind you to keep you going, and you aren't stuck breaking the wind all of the time.

-Nate

float

The ride was absolutely awesome. It wasn't a tight group ride so I didn't have to worry about pacelines and all that jazz. There were a few awful hills but aside from the occasional stoplight and the assigned regroup points, I didn't stop once. I wouldn't have accomplished that riding solo. I wasn't the slowest but was far from the fastest.

I missed a turn once when I was in between groups by myself, but I managed to realize it and got back to the group. Stats below:

Distance: 20.94 mi
Max Speed: 35.4 mph
Avg Speed: 14.5 mph
Time: 1:26

Now I'm looking forward to the Saturday ride and getting "proper" pedals and shoes.

PipinFan

Float... I've being there boy,in 6 months since I got my bike I've being in 4 groups rides (just recently)and I have to tell you that I love it !!!! Ohhh yeaahh I was droped and embarrassed but now I can go right with the first riders,let say we are about 25-30 I could be among the first 10 !! Now, I ride in Florida where is "mainly" flat but we have lots of cars passing and stop lights as well as bumps on the roads everywhere basically,now we average some 23-25 miles per hour for some 30-35 miles and other group goes a bit longer which I love too.

Just ride and get used to it,you are young and I hope in good shape,don't over work yourself (Heart rate) and just take it easy and you'll see that by the 3-4th ride you'll be hanging in there..

here you have some good tips !!!! let us know..

https://www.planetultra.com/training/index.html

RoadToNowhere

Excellent job, Float! Keep at it . . .

Beth

Patriot

Excellent.

Everyone has to start somewhere. The most important part, is to have fun.

My first couple of group rides with friends, I found myself struggling to keep up. After years of riding now, I find myself not trying to lead, not trying to keep up, but simply tagging along and having fun.