intence

You'll get faster riding with the A group. If the both follow the same course, then you can always join B after you get dropped. Eventually, it will take longer and longer for you to get dropped until you end up finishing the ride.

badhat

mix it up

you learn from struggling to hang on and you learn from being one of the strong guys in a group and trying to control it.

personally i think strugglign to hang with a group that drops you 15 minutes in is sort of overrated.

i believe my solo training informs my fitness more than my group riding does. groups are more for social and tactical and skills work. just my opinion. this was easily my best and strongest season on the road and i havent done a wedneday night group ride since march.

Dudelsack 

Seroquel in escalating doses until the voices stop.

Commodus

I don't really understand the idea of 'dominating' a group ride. I mean, it's not a race. You have no idea what the motivations of the other riders are.

I wonder if that's why people sprint the last few hundred metres of that Wednesday hill climb I do...

nhluhr

Is your primary goal to have fun or to improve fitness? Riding the A ride will force you to work at higher levels than you otherwise would and you'll get faster quicker. Doing the B ride will let you just enjoy what limited time you have available but you likely won't improve much.

banerjek

I dominate the groups I ride in almost every time. Group of one is the only way to go.

Apex Carver

I would go with this.

Commodus

Almost? Do you sometimes drop yourself?

I've felt that way sometimes...

banerjek

The other times I arrive at the destination DFL

Sidney Porter

A couple people have pointed out that the B should be used as a "recovery" ride. My understanding of a recovery ride is that they short be short and slow. 30-60 minutes at 50%-60% intensity. I would think that is slower and shorter than your standard B ride. Maybe I don't truely understand the purpose of a recovery ride.

Commodus

The difference between first and last in a group of one: outlook? Point of view? Largely a result of blood sugar in my experience.

On the bright side, no matter what, at least the beer won't be all gone by the time you arrive!

hhnngg1

You can dominate the agreed areas of the group ride where people show their stuff. Here in Norcal, there are a few well-established sprint areas where people sprint (for no prize) - it takes a few rides with th egroup to learn where they are. Also , most climbs are fair game, as draft effects are very small, and you can regroup at the top of the hill.

I do enjoy being the first up or first in a sprint in a group, as it happens infrequently with the folks I ride with. However, most of my group ride is spent being a good citizen, holding the pace and riding predictably as it should be. Still doesn't mean that I won't throw down at the areas where everyone is supposed to!

Elduderino2412

Whenever you get dropped by the A ride, you should just tell people you are dominating the B ride. They will never know the difference.

curiouskid55

Beat up the girls or go toe to toe with the men. What kind of man are you?

Elduderino2412

Bring on the girls, and the mud rasslin' pit. I'm a perverted type of man.

badhat

our big dog wednesday night shoot out leaves in two waves, its self selected and the Bs go out 5 minutes before the As and try to stay away as long as they can and then once they get absorbed they try to hang for a while.

they usually stay away for about 20 miles or so, and then a few of them manage to hang on once they get absorbed.

it seems to be pretty popular, as it keeps the B riders involved for longer. i think a lot of them found it demoralizing to get left for dead immediately after the first attack and spend 35 miles of a 40 miles ride alone in the wind, cracked.

NWS Alpine

There is a million opinions on what is better etc. Basically a B ride would be way to hard for what most would call a recovery ride. Your understanding is correct that is should be short and slow. Just get the blood flowing through the muscles and get everything moving.

Terex

When I was doing group rides on an almost daily basis, I alternated between A and B. I was living in a fairly hilly area, so on the B rides, I'd hang back and chat, and then try to be first up the hills after starting from the back. This way I got in my hill repeats without getting bored and I'd keep away from the less less attentive riders who seem to show up in greater numbers on B rides.

But it really depends on your ability and the options you have for groups to ride with.

milkbaby

So you're a lover, not a fighter, ehh?

caloso

Around here, the B ride makes for a good tempo ride. My team also does a weekly "Chick Ride" where the male racers are welcome, but are asked to sit in and not affect the front of the ride.

nhluhr

Sounds good.

Dfarlow

Why does everyone assume that riding with the B's has to be a recovery ride. It depends on the amount of effort you're willing to put in working at the front helping to maintain the group's pace. There were a few A rides in town that I was initially too intimidated to join, but once I did I realized that my power profile on the B ride was actually ~15+ watts higher due to the additional workload, even though the pace was about 1.5mph slower (22 vs 23.5). I may not have been riding with faster riders, but I was dang sure getting in a solid workout and becoming a stronger rider. However, it is true that riding with faster/stronger riders makes you better....no doubt, and you are definitely riding with more skilled cyclists. Bottom line, as most folks have stated, do both...but if you ride B don't just sit in.

sstang13

I go on as many 'A' rides as possible, and it's the only thing getting me faster, I do better and better each time. Do that.

Paul Barnard

He can help others improve their riding if he rides the B group.

Dudelsack 

The purpose? To Search and Destroy.