deacon mark

As a runner first I normally run solo. For about 12 years I ran with a regular weekend group but due to differences in when to start I gave it up. I wanted to run when I wanted to and not be dictated by others. So now over the past 3 years of more serious cycling I do the same thing and ride solo. The only group I ever road with was an organized century and we had spred out pretty well and there were no pacelines as such. All my other centuries have been solo and I ride around 3500 miles a year.

Now that I enjoy getting out on long rides on weekends it would be good to ride with a group if for no other reason than a little comparison. The club and LBS have training rides and I could probably go along but still not always at the best time. For instance yesterday it was warm and I have things to get done so I want to ride early as possible about 5:30am. I did 6o miles in 3:06 and was done before 9 am. Had I wanted to ride with a group they start at 7 am and then I am unsure of the whole pace thing. I think I can easily ride with the B group that goes 18-20 mph but the A group claiming 20-25 would be difficult especially since I have little experience with a group. THe few times I have gone with another friend to ride I was clearly a strong rider and simply did the wind breaking.

I guess what I am asking is if those of you who have ridden for years find that after awhile a group ride is ok but can it get old? As I mentioned my group running got this way after years because no need to talk much about running anymore and time was the factor. I live by a pretty tight schedule and to get any miles in riding seems you have to just go when you can.

So do most ride solo or make a point to be with a group periodically? I don't normally mind riding sole I just once in awhile would like to see how I am doing?

theREEDeffect

First off, if you can do 60 miles in 3:06 riding solo, I don't think you would have any problem hanging with that A group. Riding in a group is a lot of fun. Riding in a reasonably fast group is addicting. I find I can dig deeper and push myself harder when I'm riding with peers than I can alone. Like many, I have difficulty getting around scheduling conflicts, so the majority of my rides are solo; but I always look forward to the next chance I get to join in on a group ride.

Phil85207

I am old and slow now but I never got into group rides for some of the same reasons you mentioned. Some of the other reasons are, I can stop when and where I want to, do intervals when and where and how long etc. The social thing can be a two edge sword. Sometimes all is OK, but more often than not (for me anyway) there is someone on the ride that thinks none of the rules of the road pertain to him or her. I am talking about running lights, weaving in and out of traffic and in general being a ass. Then there is the one who thinks everyone needs to hear his wisdom on every subject under the sun. You know the type. I used to enjoy the competition a lot more when my legs were younger and stronger, but those days are gone. Some love it and that's good. Its the same reasons I wound never join a bowling league.

Mantis Style

I just posted up a similar question (well at least on the same subject), and since then have been on two more rides (three total). So new to the group ride thing after several years of riding alone. There are definitely good and bad aspects, for me the worst of it is getting used to the danger that simply comes with other people, but it's really just completely a different experience. No matter how I try I simply can't motivate as hard as I am, say, racing someone up the next hill. Or taking a pull in a quick moving line. By no means am I an expert (or even good at it!) but yes, the hassle of not being able to stop on your own or go when you want to is outweighed by the group dynamic. That said, I think I'm only planning on doing group rides 1x a week - I really still enjoy solo training...

AdelaaR

Don't like grouprides.
Less safe.
More things to worry about.
Waiting up after a hill for the slower guys isn't fun.
I ride hard and I don't have any breath left to talk to anyone while riding either.
If I want to talk to people I'll sit down at a table and have a drink or a meal with them.

tadawdy

I just started doing group rides. Sounds like you and I are at a similar level in terms of cycling strength. I've been going on the B ride, which is advertised as a friendly, with cruising speeds around 22, but sections above 25. I've been leading the group a good part of the way, doing good pulls, and mixing it up on sprints. I think I'll try the A ride after I get more used to pacelining and such.

It'd be good to start with the slower group if you're unsure (though you could probably hand with the A group). From what I can tell, they tend to be more courteous to each other and to other road users, and it's a good place to get used to holding a wheel and a good line. And usually, there are a few fast guys who will push the pace occasionally, so there are bursts of speed. The difference is: on a friendly B ride, they'll generally wait for you if you get gapped and don't/can't sprint to hold on.

One amazing thing about riding with other people: the psychological boost is phenomenal. I very rarely see the mid 20's on my own (I'm really not very fast), but I can do long pulls at about 24, and did a few shorter ones at 26-27. It just feels way easier, and I swear my FTP has to be about 20% higher on group rides.

With the right group, it's also really not dangerous. I chose this one because they ride at a decent pace, are welcoming, and are generally very courteous to drivers.

This Sunday group ride has become the thing I look forward to at the end of the week. Sunday's my only day off, and I can't think of a better way to spend the morning. As far as efficiency goes, you'll also cover more miles and at greater speed than you would alone (so long as they don't stop for long breaks or anything).

DropDeadFred

i think you could hang with the A group

banerjek

I prefer riding solo. View is better, you get to set the pace and the route, and you get to figure out what to think about -- riding in a group takes a lot of headspace.

deacon mark

The other problem could be my image, I ride a Motorbecane Imm Spirit with eggbeaters, but frankly I am my own mechanic, build my own wheels, and wrench myself. I just think the ones from the local bikeshop might frown on me. One thing I like to do about solo riding is that here in Illinois we really don't have mountains or even good hills so going real fast down hill cannot get you up to super speeds. Now that I have much more experience I really like to push downhill fast and going solo you just do what you want. Yesterday in a place were there are a series of good hills I was all ready to muscle all out going downhill and did. Then I had so much fun thinking I could maybe get to 40mph I went back over the route again, but could only get to 37.

I just wonder how much faster a pack of riders could go? For running I know how this works and translates. I normally run about 8-8:30 miles in training but with a group I could pick that up to 7:45 and I know how it relates to racing. I could never in my life run a training run near what I did the actually marathon in so I am guessing riding maybe that way too. Oh well I am old and slow now and with the Lord's help will get to 50 years old in a 9 days. I am not going to do any racing that seems pretty dangerous to me.

Some of the things said about solo riding seem like they apply to me at least in the way I ride. I normally ride pretty hard, and I don't really like to stop except for something quick in a century. I can see like running after awhile you don't really need any more information about things. I guess some might avoid the deacon simply because they might get the impression they could not say Oh "sh t" if a deer ran infront of your bike or something. They or course would be wrong because sometimes you have to yell it.

FLvector

If you can do an 20 mph pace on the flats, you'll be able to hang at 22-23 with a group ride with the same effort. I look at group rides as a team effort, since the overall pace is always faster due to each rider taking turns pulling up front. The dynamics of each ride are different depending on who shows up, the roads, elevation, etc. I'd avoid the A ride hammerfests until you get some paceline experience. One little mistake at 25 and everyone is scrambling. What one calls a B ride could be someone else's B+, so ask what the rolling avg speed is, excluding warmups, sprints, etc.

Nothing more fun to do a few hours at 22/23 and still feel like you have something left for the finish.

dissident

prefer solo, but I'm a bit of a loner as it is. Hard for me to get motivated to chit chat, I just wanna ride.

bbattle

I start off in a group; they soon drop me, I then ride solo.

Pros and cons to riding in groups; best to get out there and give it a try. No matter what we say, you won't really know until you do it yourself.

Paul01

Solo. Not much fun spending a hour looking at the rear wheel in front of me while the scenery goes by.

Vicelord

I learned that riding in a group allows you to go much faster with much less effort. Taking a wheel then taking a pull is fun. Staring at someone's ass for an hour is not fun. Trade offs I guess.

I got yelled at on my first group ride for breaking when a guy started to attack. They said its not a race, but then someone later wanted to air it out. Make your minds up group riders.

carmonkie

If you do not like to wait for regroups find you a drop group you can hang with. If you want to turn around at mile x so be it, no one cares. If you want to take short cuts so be it no one cares. If you get dropped then ride solo, best of both worlds. You get interactions of group dynamics and get to ride by your self when you want to.