catatonic

Yeah people joke around and call me "Mr Toolbox", because I roll with 3 powerbars and gu packs, a leatherman, 3 tire levers, two tubes, 3 co2 cartridges, a schraeder/presta compatible co2 nozzle, allen wrench set, and an adjustable wrench. This is all held in a 100oz camelbak.

I hate seeing people stuck on the side of the road, for any reason.

chancho

That stuff happens with large groups sometimes. I was on a ride once with 25+ riders. We were stopped at a convenience store near Jersey City, NJ while waiting for the back of the group. I ran in to buy something (several others were buying things also). I was the last to come out of the store, and when I came out everyone had left. Fortunately my bike was still leaning against the wall where I left it. Since there were several newbies on the ride no one thought to wait until all the bikes against the wall had been claimed.

maximum01

Don't take it personally. It probably feels like they did it on purpose because you're new but more than likely it was a misunderstanding or the guy near you didn't inform the front riders.

Group rding can be harsh at times tho, and it's worse if you get dropped because of a bonk or just not being able to handle the speed. The trick is to take it on the chin and remember that you're not special....everyone else who gets dropped or has a mechanical will be treated the same and probably feels the same.

Just make sure you're with a friendly group you feel comfortable with......and if it's not working just do solo rides until you find some better riders to pack ride with. Enjoy!

Hipcycler

Love it.

furiousferret

Have your mother call the group leader and have her tell him, 'I haven't seen him since he did that no-drop ride. No one has seen him since the 'no-drop' ride.'

cyclezealot

Eddie I ride a road bike. That makes me a roadie.? Roadies come in all shapes and forms. As do racers. I think racers are more inclined to be more hard core .So what. Racers make up only a small portion of riders. No need to generalize here.

jamiegoesbiking

Geez, a couple hours? That seems like an awful long time!

I haven't ever riden with a group, although I could use a little advice from more experienced riders. I'd be more comfortable with one or two people rather than a giant group, though.

PrfectHair4ever

I would tell the group leader to make a map for everyone. If you had a map, it sounds like you would have caught back up since it was so early into the ride.

SteveE

CyLowe -

Speaking as a ride leader, it's up to each rider to communicate to the ride leader if there's a mechanical or if the group is getting gapped because of a hill or a traffic light. I *try* not to drop riders but sometimes it doesn't work out because riders in back never call out when they're having problems. Also, sometimes people fall behind on longer climbs. I don't consider that being dropped because the route is posted ahead of time and there are regroups along the way.

I'll always stop and stay back with a rider that's having problems (mechanical or otherwise) but if I don't know about it, I won't. Heck! I've even been dropped from my own rides due to a flat or some such nonsense!

SteveE

ericgu

I do a no-cue-sheet ride with a group twice a week.

We have a designated ride leader and a designated sweep for the ride. The sweep stays behind everybody.

When we get to a corner, we leave corner people behind to direct the group. They stay at the corner until the sweep comes by.

During the summer we average 30 people or so, and sometimes we've had 50, but we don't lose people. We do keep the tempo fairly slow (16-18 on the flats), and we regroup at the top of climbs.

When we get within about 5 miles of the end of the ride, it's not uncommon for a group to attack off the front and paceline back to the starting point, but if you do that and get lost, it's your own fault.

cyclezealot

I will say for the first time, I am presently riding with a group that demands knowing of each rider's whereabouts. First time I have ever experienced such. Not sure why,my communication skills in French is limited. ( My wife's French is excellant, wish her cycling woudl pick up and join us on group rides..)
But anyway. One member just turned off and went on his own. No one knew where he went, but myself. He told me he was 'allez maison,' I tried telling the group that.
Since his leaving was not sanctioned before the rides' start; when we all got to the next club's meeting; there was a real shouting match.
I think it's because we are a 'rondoneles' oriented group. ON Sundays' we are expected to complete a given course as a group. We sign in at some sponsoring villages' bike club as having completed a rondoneles.'
Racing is not it's focus. But, completing a given course is. Upon completion of each weeks rondoneles' a riders completion is noted on the bike association's web site.
First time I have ever experienced such behavior. As member of this bike association, our dues even cover insurance upon ourselves and our bikes.
Maybe, since we are insured by the association, the club leader must report our safe return. ?
My experience, everyone is so wrapped up in their own training, they hardly notice your whereabouts. Even when you are on a friendly basis.