ilovetheewind

OK< I've been here for a while and have been training all winter to join my first group ride. I've been riding for years by myself, but never joined a group. I have spent plenty of time drafting off more experienced friends, but thats about as big as my group rides have ever been.

I listened hard to all you had to say.


1. My first words to my group were. "I'm on my first group ride, please YELL at me if I make any mistakes."

2. I quickly learned the signals and stayed at the back concentrating on others and how the group worked. (about 35 of us)

3. I maintained a constant line and made all stops and changes in placement VERY gradual. Distance between all other riders was kept at a safe distance.


Our group broke into three groups and as many of you say, the "hammer was dropped". I got nervous, but hung in as I was sure I would get dropped.

Strangely, I felt strong and decided to see if I could chase down group two. I nearly kiiled myself me getting there, (long lonely gap) and when I did I I ASKED PERMISSION to draft off more expereienced rider to get my wind back.......I was sure it was over for me, but the draft got my strength back and I wound up trading pulls with the guys that let me stay on his wheel..... I LISTEN TO WHAT YOU ALL SAY AND DID NOT SPEED UP WHILE PULLING !!!!!

Strangely, I started to get cocky and after 5 or so miles decided to head for group 1.

Dammit I got there ! And in the end I wound up riding right behind the group leader. (with permission of course)..................


WOO HOO Not only did I not get dropped, but I came in with the top 5. Not bad for a newb that listens to BF huh?

My next group ride started with 25 or so and only 4 of us made it home....I may be in need of a faster group. What a way to start..................Now, I need to be dropped hard with a faster group to see how the OTHER side feels. Not bad at all for 40 years of age.

Thanks all for the great advice....Some of us "Freds" actually listen.

ericm979

You don't need to ask permission to draft behind each rider on a group ride. It's automatically granted when you join the ride.

ilovetheewind

As a new guy and from what I saw of other people skills, I thought it best to ask..... I was very careful with everything I did.

I understand what your saying though. I just wanted the person I drafted off of to feel comfortable that I would not hit his back tire. I was new, but wanted people to feel comfortable with a newbie on there back tire. It worked out well

umd

I figured he meant ask to sit in and recover and not pull...

RacerOne

Very nice, great job.

Juan Foote

Sounds great. I am happy when I can finish the ride in sight of the main group.

Nachoman

Please give us more details so we can find something wrong with what you did.

nixternal

ilovetheewind

Well, here is what I did wrong.....As much as I liked pulling, I did not now the ride well enough to stay up front. I had to fall back to know which way to turn. This really bugged me as I loved pulling, but did not know where to go.

I'll have to tape the map to my bars next time. (or move up a group level.)


I ride 80-100 miles during the week and 50-70 on the weekends.....I'm feeling much faster everyday.