dkatz1

I ride my bike to ride my bike! If I ride in a group, I always seem to be at the back...I just don't worry about it (well, maybe a tiny little bit, but not really).

Dave P

Hi Wrecks24:

I'd find a different group to ride with, that fits your fitness level and style. There's nothing more of a bummer than getting dropped and left for dead when trying to get in bike shape. Some folks think getting one's ass kicked on such group rides "is the way to go" for getting stronger, but I think it is stupid. Of course, I am an older guy, so the ass kicking method does not work well for me anymore.

Unless you want to become a hammerhead by 2022, just relax and enjoy the slow process of getting stronger and learning techniques. It's super cool riding with the slower guys/gals while gaining your desired base, as well.

Go Army!

Danhedonia

You said it: ego. It's your problem. I'm pretty direct, so if this comes off as unsympathetic, it's not at all meant to be.

There are two types of riders: those who are competitive, and those who are not. Some people feel deep needs to compare themselves to others; for others it's not as compelling. (But we all do it) Did you take up cycling to go faster than others, and thus feel good? If so, you have an awful lot of riding ahead of you to get there.

You're the very worst in the group. You don't like this. The real problem is the gap between your expectation and your reality.

Three months is not much time. You haven't even hit your floor for ability yet, let alone your ceiling. If you want to compete with others, you need to align your expectations to reality, and that begins with data. Check your local Strava boards. See what those folks are doing? You need to do that, and with the understand that they have years on you.

Don't even think about your bike. Carbon frame and Ultegra? Good enough for your first 5,000+ miles. (Do make sure it's fitted right, though).

There are alternatives. You could realign your expectations. You could have serious conversations with yourself about the meaning of things, and why it's important to be faster/est to yourself. You could pour yourself into long, lonely training rides and wonder if it's really worth the missed time with your kids just to feel superior to some guy you barely know on a group ride.

I'm not anti-competitive, but I am pro-health, and that includes emotions. You have the courage to admit your ego's involved, and that means you will figure out what your needs are, and how biking fits in.

For now, I'd suggest looking at it all as one big giggle: "Hey, I'm not dead yet! And I get the opportunity to enjoy myself on a bike and see if I can improve." Do some HIIT rides. Do some rides where you don't permit yourself to see your stats. Just keep riding.

Kevinw3

Year 1 - dropped frequently.
Year 2 - not as much
Year 3 - about half
Year 4 - seldom
Year 5 - almost never

Keep your drive train clean and lubed. Upgrade your Wheels. Take Beta Alinine, green tea extract, Arginine supplements. Get a full professional bike fit now. Hydrate and fuel properly before your rides. Learn to spin rather than grinding.

Toespeas

you cant suck at cycling unless you fall off every few feet and wear underwears under your cycling shorts

Toespeas

beet juice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nerdftyu

We need to be patient with this problem.

vespasianus

Honestly, I would find a slower group ride to start. You need "base" miles. That is a concept that is out of favor but to me, I have always needed it. Just ride as much as you can. Try ridding every day - even if it is short or slow. And if you can, do a long slow ride on some weekends.

Also, get a heart rate monitor. What effort are you putting out early on to stay at the front? If it is 90% of your max, that could explain why you are being dropped later in the ride.

Lastly, give it time.

Kevinw3

Get stiff carbon shoes and keep your cadence between 90-100. If you’re big in the shoulders then get a more aerodynamic position. The professional bike fit will help you get that. Use race tires and tubes. Read “ Get Fast “ by Selene Yeager.

Reynolds 

Very true. I learned early that you can't predict a cyclist's performance based on his or her appearance, weight or bike.

Rogerogeroge

Ride smart. As someone previously said, draft, draft. But don't be afraid to take your turn at the front. A lot of times riding in the rotation is easier than hanging off the back. Riding smart? When people jump off the front and accelerate, don't jump on, let others do it. Pay attention to who the smooth and strong cyclists are. Get behind those wheels instead of following other more erratic, inexperienced riders. Someone said pay attention when the person downshifts in front of you. Actually you should be looking out for that two or three other riders ahead of him/her.

+1 on previous comments about hydrating, doing intervals. You're new into this, you'll see almost exponential growth in your abilities if you keep at it. Someone said find a slower group - nonsense, in any athletic endeavor if you want to improve then always participate with others beyond your abilities.

bblair

All great advice, but that sounds like work. You need to find a group of similar ability, or maybe just slightly faster. I ride with a group of 60+ year old men and women. We stomp it pretty good up the hills, but make a point to regroup regularly. No one likes to show up to a group ride and get dropped in the first few miles.

As Eddy said, "ride lots."

Wrecks24

Thanks all.

Finding a different group isn't gonna happen as there is only two groups in the area and the other one is really fast. I'm just gonna keep grinding as best as I can. This weekend my friend and I rode 45 miles, I was damn near dead walking back into my house...lol. I could barely stand in the shower. But it did boost my confidence a little, even though the pace was about 14.5 mph.Tomorrow is the group ride and I feel a little better about it. I want to love this sport, and I do enjoy it.

sirjag

What a motivating and helpful thread! Welcome Wrecks! I joined here almost 2yrs ago now, started doing 5-7miles at a time and avg 10-13mph for many months. This year I'm up to 2-4x rides per week between 40-60miles and avg 17-18.5mph, even on the 60mile rides. If i do a quick 25miles I can pull off 19-5-20.5 mph. Ive only done two or three group rides though, so my times are all solo, which is just my style. We each have our own! You will get there, i promise.

JAG

Viich

Based on the pace you gave, you were out for about 3 hours - that's great, and will help you. It might not help you tomorrow, but it will help you.

I still say try to get in some short and easy rides through the week somehow - I do a lot of mine between 0500 and 0700. Usually on the trainer in the house, but I'll sneak out some days and ride on the road then. Not enough time to get anywhere interesting is the problem, and even for easy rides the trainer is more efficient - you're always pedaling, even if easy. Only way to get something similar on the road is with a fixed gear.

I'm a similar competitive personality, I think. I started racing BMX with my kids last summer, and I got started Zwift racing in earnest through March-May, and I'm kind of hooked on both.

Thomas15

There is the old saying "it's always darkest before the dawn". I think this applies to bicycling fitness. Some people are simply competitive in nature. Really nothing wrong with that, it gives us a reason to push the limits.