Sol588

Worked all year for this day. Heading out this morning on my first group ride. Plan is to do 48 miles. I've been up since 4:30 this morning thinking about the ride, my stuff, what ifs...

I really hope I don't get dropped but riding friends have told me I am ready. We'll see.

datlas 

Enjoy it! Google group ride etiquette for dos/don'ts.

thin_concrete

You'll be fine - don't overthink it.

chaadster

I find group rides make the miles pass more quickly because there's more to think about and pay attention to. I do most of my rides in a group and love it, but solo is appreciated too for its unique attributes.

Let people in the group know it's your first time out, and almost certainly they'll look out for you and clue you in on the particularities of how their group rides together.

you're gonna love it, I bet!

bakes1

You will be fine as long as you understand that group riding is impossibly difficult, takes years to master and only works if everyone yells at each other because it truly is a matter of life and death.

noodle soup

This was probably meant to be a joke, but there is a little truth in there.

Don't get upset if someone overreacts about something you did wrong. Riding fast, at close quarters, can become dangerous quickly when people make mistakes, and sometimes people yell less than helpful comments in that dangerous moment. If that happens, don't take it personal, and ask about after things cool off.

svtmike

This is true especially if you are a natural crybaby with thin skin and an aversion to direct, constructive criticism.

OP, have fun. Group riding brings a social dynamic to riding that many of us love and you might too.

bruce19

This.

bruce19

It figures......Jersey boy. (Hackensack HS class of '64 here)

bruce19

Knowing what I now know about group riding I would find some of the seasoned riders and tell them this was my first group ride. I would also ask that they feel free to give me advice on the ride.

hueyhoolihan

describes me to a "T". ... we must have met.

Stratocaster

It depends on the group and "class" of riders involved.
I did my first group ride this fall - about 40 miles. It was rated as "B-/C+ with hills". It was a loose group - nobody got dropped because at some intersections the front would stop and wait for the rest.
There wasn't a pace line, save for the end where about 4 of us sort of "sprinted" the last few miles. Honestly, I wouldn't even call it a pace line.

I'm sure many rides are much more tight. Do you have any idea the level or riders you will be with?

shoota 

So how did it go? If you made it longer than twenty minutes before getting dropped then you did better than me on my first group ride

Sol588

It went great. As suggested in an earlier post, brushed up on my group ride etiquette beforehand and everything went well. Did not get dropped and stayed in the middle of the pack for most of the ride. Definitely looking forward to doing another ride next Saturday.

Definitely saw some great bikes out there today but, after today, feeling very happy with the bike I have.

Thanks for all the great suggestions this morning. I spent some much time focusing on my line, and the road ahead of me that time past faster than I expected.

allen254

What i did on my first group ride i just stayed in back the whole time just learning how the guys ride??,, at what speed??,, were they aggressive riders?? ,, Just analyze the ride ,but also have fun, don't over think it like i did my first time just enjoy the ride .

Johnny Rad

Congrats. Before long you'll be up front, racing for sprint points and looking out for the newer cyclists in your group.

Now you can pass along your experience / prep with the next cyclist headed out on their first group ride!

Sol588

I have really met some cool people riding...some that have really shown me the right way and have provided a model from which to draw on when aiding fellow riders, and sharing information. I cannot say enough about how good I feel about the biking community as a whole. I am really glad to be a part of it!

Thank you all. Happy holidays!!!

shoota 

Awesome great job! You did better than me