*Held on to the first pack (~21mph) for 15 miles before getting dropped
*Cramped up pretty bad 1 mile from home
You've probably already figured this out, but these two tidbits are directly related. Don't get seduced by the fast riders into riding over your head at the beginning of a long distance ride. It
will come back to bite you in the nether regions! You know how fast you can comfortably ride; ride that pace, alone if necessary. Exception: If you find a group riding less than two mph faster than your pace, hook onto them. Two mph is about how much advantage riding in a paceline gives you.