ATT. Road Bike Riders

[Mojo88]

I have been riding again for the past two years and had a couple questions for those who ride. I am comfortable at a 17 mph pace for an hour. I usually take a short break at the hour interval and in the summer I will ride for another hour. The terrain is fairly hilly and I usually end up at about 33 miles total in those 2 hours.
I ride with my son, however I mostly ride alone. Next year I was thinking about joining a bike club. I know all groups vary,but is this a reasonable pace for a B-C or will I get dropped?
The bike forums are pretty brutal and I was wondering if these guys are like this in real life or is it forum talk? I want this to be a fun time and not a pain in the butt, so any experience with clubs, I would like to hear.

 

[pelotonjon]

I am a Cat 2 road racer. Have you ridden in a group before? Your speed seems ok, but there are some skills needed to ride in a large group. Maybe see if there are some "no-drop" rides just so you can get comfortable riding in a group, and learn the etiquette, etc.

All the group rides and clubs I know of are all pretty friendly with new riders.

 

[urkel]

i agree with peletonjon..........most group rides are open to new blood (i mean new riders) you'll have to talk to some of the riders in the area about pace and etiquette. usually winter are rides are more leisurely paced with most people just wanting to maintain some fitness thru the winter. guess it depends which part of the world you live in though.i would guess an avg pace of 16 - 17 mph might boarder on very casual though. group rides in this area are closer to 20 - 23 mph in winter but it depends on the size of the group. the more riders the faster the pace
good luck

 

[dklaiman]

Your post doesn't say where you live. In MN quite a few of the bike shops have group rides on weekends when weather permits. They break the larger groups into smaller ones based on anticipated pace and distance. They also offer "novice" rides for people just starting out on group rides.

I'd call a few bike shops in your area and see if they offer something similar. You may need to join the store "club" to ride with them, but then you'll likely get a free jersey and discounts at the shop.

 

[TimmyBoston]

Hit up your local bike shops and ask about group rides.

 

[Woodash]

I am a Cat 2 road racer. Have you ridden in a group before? Your speed seems ok, but there are some skills needed to ride in a large group. Maybe see if there are some "no-drop" rides just so you can get comfortable riding in a group, and learn the etiquette, etc.

All the group rides and clubs I know of are all pretty friendly with new riders.

+1. You'll find your niche. You should have no problem finding an appropriate ride/group, and before you know it, you'll be riding up a notch. But I definately agree that it's best to learn a bit about ettiquete, paceline riding, riding in traffic, etc.

 

[azmark]

I agree that pelotonjohn makes about etiquette and most of all safety in group rides. The good thing most group rides from shops or clubs will be broken up into groups that can work off each other and learn along the way.

 

[Wheater]

hit up your local bike shops and ask about group rides.

+1

 

[Blue Raccoon]

the biggest adjustment will be getting use to riding in the paceline with tires very close or overlapping. just working in a paceline will add a few mph to what you are use to as you get sucked along.

 

[pantablo]

Also check for all the local clubs to your area. Here in West Los Angeles there are a dozen clubs, many with racing teams too. each club will have a distinct 'flavor' in regard their overall safety, ride pace, ride etiquette, etc. Also, their rides may vary significatntly different days of the week.

For example, the club I belong to has a friday social ride. It is a recovery ride (for the racers) and we encourage the new (to us) riders to start there. the pace is slow enough, 18-ish mph, that its easy enough to talk to each other and get used to group riding.

You might also try to befriend some other riders and ride in small groups of up to 10 to start. That would be less intimidating at first.

Bike handling skills and etiquette are big things that affect the safety of you and the whole group. It's important to work on them. The best bike handling skills I learned from taking a beginning track riding class. I used to put on skills clinics for others in my club. Maybe someone local to you is doing something like that.


Safe riding!

 

[Woodash]

the biggest adjustment will be getting use to riding in the paceline with tires very close or overlapping. just working in a paceline will add a few mph to what you are use to as you get sucked along.

Unless you're a ~pro and riding with a huge group, I would take the word overlapping out of your vocabulary. That's the surest way to hit the pavement, often by someone else's actions. Take control and don't put yourself in that situation. My $0.02.

 

[evandood]

I agree with the above, any good ride leader in anything other than a "A" drop allowed ride should work with his sweeper and maintain a good pace that is the advertised pace. Rides are not races, if you want to rabbit ride ahead. here are some guidelines from my club...
1. Start out easy by spinning the first few miles to allow the group to warm up. This allows riders to adapt to riding with each other and begins to establish the group spirit.
2. After the first few miles and at regular intervals thereafter have a water break and check with your riders that all is okay. If a rider cannot handle the announced pace and terrain, you should provide instructions and if necessary assistance to assure their afe return to the start.

3. Maintain the announced speed of the ride. Don't be afraid to suggest that the "rabbits" go on ahead as individuals. The leader and sweep must work together as a team, taking reasonable control to ensure that the group works together. Maintain group discipline.

4. Regroup by riding slowly or stopping when making a major turn. Stop if part of the group gets caught at a stoplight. Be patient. Maintain contact with all members of your group. Avoid unknowingly dropping any member. Remember that this is sport touring ride and not a major race. When stopping, and at rest stop make sure that all riders are safely off the road.

5. Make your primary rest stop the focal point of your ride. Enjoy social interaction at the rest stop. Stops can vary depending on the mood of the group. Provide additional short water and rest room, stops on, longer and more strenuous rides. Generally the primary rest stops last about 20 to 30 minutes unless a special destination is planned requiring more time. Respect the environment by properly disposing of trash.

 

[Blue Raccoon]

Unless you're a ~pro and riding with a huge group, I would take the word overlapping out of your vocabulary. That's the surest way to hit the pavement, often by someone else's actions. Take control and don't put yourself in that situation. My $0.02.

didn't say I liked the idea, just that it happens. yep, the new guy will take control, right. be prepared to find your way back alone.

 

[Woodash]

didn't say I liked the idea, just that it happens. yep, the new guy will take control, right. be prepared to find your way back alone.

Sorry - I meant my comment to be directed to the OP. But I don't understand your comment about the new guy taking control. I'm talking about taking control of his own well-being on the road, positioning himself correctly, and not put himself in a position of danger in a group when he is not used to riding in one. Nothing wrong with that.