Well I think I am going to give it a go. It is only about 18 miles but I a.) haven't gone that far before and b.) never been on a group ride.

I will look like a dork since will have street clothes (waiting for paycheck to get some pants) but will see if I can do it. It is a beginner group ride so I think they won't be too shocked by my clothes.

I guess I would like any suggestions as to what sort of etiquette to have? I don't know if we will be going fast enough to worry about drafting honestly. I figure if I feel well enough by the return portion I will see if I can hang near the front to see what that is like.

I most likely will hang near the rear to see what all happens in a group ride and then also be in a better place should I get dropped. Last week they had like 25 folks or something so that is an encouraging sign I think.

Well I will hope for the best!

Show up, take your cues from the group leader, hold a straight line, rather than stay back move up within the group hold your place at the front for a short time, and enjoy yourself.

since it's truly a beginner ride, you're not going to want to follow too closely to other people since there's going to be a lot of room for error. i really doubt you will get dropped unless maybe you've only ridden your bike 1-5 miles at a time.

basically listen to everything your instructor / leader says, hold your line, pay attention and have fun.

i bet you a majority of the people riding along with you will be in general *work out* attire, nothing to worry about.

It's just like riding a bike. Have fun!

Two basic rules:

1) Try not to make any sudden movements
2) Have fun

Yeah I have been riding for about a month but only managed a few days a week and have worked up to around 10 miles or so but I have tried to include some hills and such to get the old heart rate up (which I sometimes kick myself by the time I reach the top). I think this ride is mostly flat so I am hoping I should be okay as far as that part is concerned. Should be interesting to say the least

ignore this advice.

Although Botto wrote this regarding "racing".... Look at #1 on the list.

Bike Racing for Beginners: How to get started

1. Find some group rides, fast group rides. Sit in the back.
2. Don't get discouraged if/when you get dropped from those group rides.
3. Go back the following week and do the fast group ride again.
4. If you're dropped a 2nd time, repeat steps 2 & 3
5. Once you're comfortable with the group and pace (and vice versa), take some pulls.
6. Once you're comfortable taking pulls, try some attacks (if it's that kind of group ride).
7. Once you're comfortable with steps 5 & 6, it's time to enter a race.
8. At your first race, repeat steps 1-6, but substitute 'race' for 'group ride'.

Yeah this is good stuff. If I can get to the point of doing really good at the beginner, this group has a team that has several faster rides on different days. I think I will take my time and enjoy this part until it becomes a cool down ride. I figure with my awesome physique it may take a while

You should have a great time! I'm just getting into group rides myself, and I have seen and learned so much on just a few rides so far. 18 miles is a great distance for your first one too.

This weekend, there was a crash in my group ride. It was because this one kid kept swerving all over the place, and his derailler grabbed some guy's front wheel and took the guy down. (no major injuries). After it was over, the kid who caused it had no idea that he caused it. None. Try not to be that kid. You can avoid it by driving your bike in a straight line. Try to keep straight and be predictable.

You'll probably be intimidated when you first arrive and see all these guys that are way more experienced than you, but then you'll start going, and you'll realize that everyone is really nice and willing to help you (as long as you don't know everything already). Each group ride I've been on so far has been a great experience, and I've made friends that asked me to ride with them at other times.

One problem that I'm still trying to work around is the fact that pacelines scare me a bit, so I'm just trying to keep straight and not kill anyone, but then I forget to drink my water.

Group rides are a lot of fun so I'm sure you'll have fun. Since it's your first time riding in one the best thing to do is control your bike properly and not do anything that will endanger the other riders; focusing on speed is something you can do once you're comfortable riding around other cyclists and can pace yourself properly. There is no shame hanging off the back and paying attention to what other riders are doing, and chat up some of the more experienced riders who will be a great resource. Enjoy!

You won't get dropped. "Beginner" rides are almost always no-drop, slower paced (12-14 mph), no one will care what you wear. For a group this size there must be a ride leader. Speak with him/her about ride etiquette, etc. Agree completely with hanging in the back until you're more comfortable with the group and the group is more comfortable with you. Enjoy yourself.

That list isn't advice for your beginner group ride. It's for later!

Take cues from the leader and don't ride too close to other people (because of them and because of you). No sudden movements. Don't surprise other riders (tell them you are passing, etc). Keep a straight line. Don't cut corners. Have fun.

RELAX It's a beginner's ride. Have fun, meet a few new riders, that are just as scared as you are. The ride leader will (hopefully) instruct you on your route, and ride behaviour.

Be safe. You will have fun going faster and farther than you ever could on your own.

Replace "If" with "When I get to the point of doing really good....." because you will if you keep at it. You're going to have a blast. IMHO it's more fun than riding alone.

Everyone has been there before.... it was just a few days or years ago that we were once on our first group ride too.

Go out, be yourself and enjoy it so that you will want to do another.

Sounds like the guy that went down was overlapping wheels? Unless the kid was braking and swerving, they both have some fault here. The 'kid' shouldn't have been swerving, but the guy riding his wheel also shouldn't have be overlapping wheels, especially if this kid has been swerving everywhere.

Yeah, I think it was more of the kid braking and swerving. But then, I'm basing this on the guy's reaction and the others' reactions to it. His first words were some not-so-nice words about the kid being "ALL OVER THE F&(*@#&$ PLACE!" And it also seemed like the guy was way more experienced than the kid....(not just because of the age). At first, I thought I caused the crash somehow (just for being a noob), but I wasn't even close to it.

It was one of those group rides where everyone doesn't know everyone, so I don't think these 2 had ever ridden together before. (I had never met any of them before sunday).

I'm not placing blame or anything like that, but I'm firmly under the impression that the 'kid' was forward, back, and sideways, and the 'guy' was having to work hard to avoid him. I was behind 'kid' for a little bit, and I had my hand on the brake the whole time.

But it was a great ride though. That was my longest AND fastest ride to date. I felt really good about myself when it was over and I checked my computer. I was all "Holy Crap! I'm FAST!"

Don't forget to drink your water! . What group rides do you go on down here?

Yeah, whenever I WOULD remember to drink, I would be too scared to reach down and grab my bottle. I need to work on this. I'm used to riding alone.

The group rides I've been getting into are training rides for the MS150 (the one in Hammond). I've now done a few unorganized group rides and a few of the official organized MS150 training rides (that's what sunday was...and is also why there were people who didn't know each other riding together).

And then I've been meeting people who say "come ride with me and my buddy" and I do.

I live by the lakefront, but I'm not strong enough to do those Giro rides or anything just yet.

One person's idea of a beginner ride will be different than someone else's.

Regardless, my number one advice to the OP is to introduce yourself to the group beforehand, let them know that you are new, and ask for advice, what is exepcted, etc.

Also, know the route and be prepared to fix your own flats, etc.

I frequently am the group leader for beginner group rides and encourage beginners to move to the front. I try to stay up with them out to the left and encourage them tpp draft and move forward. I find the biggest problem is they want to accelerate the pace and then stay at the front too long. I hope that by the end of their first group ride that they can get an understanding of drafting , moving forward, riding at the front and dropping back, calling out hazards and holding a line.We do this at speeds between 16 to 18 mph in groups of 8 to 12.

Now if a begginer was to join the A or even B group I would tell them to sit back and hang on. Most beginners who do end up riding with my group after a few miles because they have been dropped .

Wise words. Its been just 3 weeks or so since my first group "beginner" ride and at that particular ride was 20mph+.
I would show up prepared to ride as hard as you ever have. And if it turns out that the group is slower so be it.

"I will look like a dork since will have street clothes (waiting for paycheck to get some pants)"

I think I'd get some "pants" first!! You will look like more than a dork without "PANTS".