Dorsilfin

So I got to the meeting point I found on the Internets.. and Low and behold, a parking lot full of people getting ready for some cycling!

I was immediately approached and greeted, and asked about my riding level, how hard did i want to go today etc etc

I started in the "Pokers" the 10-13mph ave group.

So we start out and everyone's chatting and asking what i do, and how long ive been riding lots of small talk. So after a few miles, the B group waits up for the pokers. At that stop, the B group said "You should roll with us today you look like your ready for a good ride".

SO I then joined the B group, which rolls from 15-17mph ave. unfortunately for me My spedo was broke OHNOES! Anyways we were planning a 30 milie ride so off we go, little less talking, and more pedaling. they go over safety as we are doing our warmup and stress how important it is to hold your line no matter what. and Call out "Cars Back" and "Cars Front" Pending on where you are in the line. Drop your right arm if somethings on the ground your moving to avoid to send the warning back.

Im really getting into this, Im feeling good im warmed up and just kinda sucking up the experience of being in a group of cyclists all rolling together. on every hill, I would sprint well maybe not sprint but Really really push myself and usually pass most of the group on the hills, they all kinda laughed and said.. "he will be a perfect fit for Group A". having no real knowledge of group A or any of these rides I kinda didnt say anything back.

After a while of this which was awesome Group "A" was passing us on the way back (they all do the same giant loop) I saw some serious speed being pushed, and of course a few people who had gotten dropped trying to get back. We took a couple very small stops and they asked all kinds of questions and I met some of them and talked etc etc.

they invited me back and said i should keep showing up, they go year round.. and to get some winter cloths being I was wearing a lot less then most there.

Throughout the ride I got the idea that the "A" group is more of a race pace at 21+ and lots of hot heads as everyone is lance or at least for the 2 hour ride lol.


All in all, I did well they said you held your own and really worked us on the hills and should def come back and ride again and consider joining the club.

After my ride, I went and bought a full suit of winter gear.. Cycling has been such a life changing thing for me, I am trying to save money but you only live once and sitting on the trainer all winter will be a bore.

I cant wait for next weekend.. =)


Oh back to my speedo OHNOES.. at the end for the last 10 or some miles I was managing 18mph... Thats like Im used to just doing 12-13 on my rides.. so I had NO Idea i was moving that fast I was having soo much fun just being with other people riding.

surchekian

Good stuff. I need winter clothes badly. I am attending a racing team meeting on Monday so I am in close to the same situation as you.

Hickeydog

Awesome. Keep going back. Sounds like you found one the many awesome groups out there. Keep riding with them. You will get fast. Very, very fast.

BarryJo

Great ride report, sounds like a good group ride.
My first ride was a disaster because I was making all kinds of rookie mistakes, pissed me off because people were *****ing about my riding but no one stopped to tell me what I was doing wrong until one person finally pulled up beside me and taught me the finer points of paceline riding.

Stick with it, if you train right the A's aren't out of reach.

flyguy676

awesome experience. my only suggestion is stay with the B group a while. its not that your not fast enough for the A group. you just dont have the group riding experience. here in orlando we have had a couple of serious crash( im talking about people having to be flown out) because of people riding faster than their skill level. just remember if you dont know ask question. be will be glad u are wanting to learn.

MrCrassic 

Great ride report!

The first group ride is always the best one :-)

Have fun!

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TarmacAG

Awesome!

My first group ride sucked. I went out, and did the equivalent of the A ride...and got dropped 10 miles later. Well I kept going back at it, and 3 months later I was pulling the group. You'd be surprised how quickly you can get used to the faster paces.

umd

Good job. Maybe I misunderstood from your description, but if the group is together it is bad form to pop out and start going around them on the climb. However, if the group shatters when the climb hits, then it's ok.

Dorsilfin

Yeah the group would break up on the hills and it was kind of a free for all. some stayed in line while others pushed up the hill .. we always regrouped at the top of each however.

RudeSiggy

Sounds like a good group that knows how to teach rookies the ropes. Keep at it and you'll learn some good stuff, including how to ride longer and faster without trying much harder :-).

Doohickie

Group rides are fun... although I've only done one so far. Because I rode my best bike, a hybrid, I kind of stuck out a bit, but I was able to keep up with the mid-level group (we had no pokers that day) and averaged 13 mph. We stopped for breakfast and afterward it was a more businesslike ride- heads down, heading for home. At that point the hybrid was a liability- not being able to tuck and having mountain-bike gearing (biggest ring in front has only 38 teeth). So now I'm looking at handlebar alternatives and eying a different crankset with taller gearing.

I've also got a restoration going on a vintage road bike.

rollin

Does sound like a good group. Keep at it. you'll be in the A group soon enough.


I think I am one of the very few here who like riding solo or in a pair.

Kai Winters

Good for you Dorsilfin. Sounds like you found a good group to ride with. They are worth their weight in carbon fiber bike parts.

Doohickie

Oh I like that just fine. It's pretty much the way I've done every ride except one, and I'm 46.

BillyD

Sounds like you had a blast . . . good for you.

I'm in your area (Newburgh), I'll PM you momentarily.

Sommy

What sort of rookie mistakes did you make? What tips did your guy give you?

umd

I realize the question wasn't to me, but one rookie mistake I made on my first ride was getting up in front before I was ready, getting excited about being in front and pulling for too long, then getting blown out the back... fortunately one helpful rider saw me sliding away and dropped back and pushed me back into line.

My first time in the weekend hammerfest ride I was trying to play it safe by sitting on the back and got snapped off by all the surging... learned to stay more to the middle and to deal better with the surging.