So I've posted a couple of times here about my first group road rides. Last night was my 3rd time with the same group. There were around 40 people last night and the weather was beautiful. It is a 22 mile loop with flats, some steep climbs (and long descents) and some great, fast, meandering residential streets. It also was the first time I rode my new carbon fork (very smooth) and shorter stem. Those made a huge difference in the feel of the bike. Loved it!
The bad news is I got dropped from the main group, but that is no surprise. The good news is that I wasn't the last rider AND my average speed improved from last time.
The coolest part was that I had my first experience with the whole leader/drafting dynamic. Very cool. I was riding with four other guys and I was second in line, hammering to stay on the guy's rear wheel. After a while, he pulled off to the left and slid back, giving me a nod as he went by. I was a bit surprised, but not wanting to disappoint, I did my best. It was an awesome feeling being the lead and having these four guys drafting.
Inevitably (sp?) we began a climb and I couldn't hang, so I dropped back to the rear and I know I could have stayed with them, but there was just enough distance between us that I got caught at a friggin red light. It was frustrating watching them ride on while I sat (and it was the LONGEST light ever...
It was cool while it lasted, though. Anyway, another guy pulled up next to me and we ended up riding together the remaining 5 miles or so.
I'm really jealous of these guys with 8,9,10 cassettes in the back and here I am with only 6. Although I'm a newbie and more cogs would be great... I also know that the 6 is really going to make me a stronger rider.
Anyway... cheers! :dancing:
The bad news is I got dropped from the main group, but that is no surprise. The good news is that I wasn't the last rider AND my average speed improved from last time.
The coolest part was that I had my first experience with the whole leader/drafting dynamic. Very cool. I was riding with four other guys and I was second in line, hammering to stay on the guy's rear wheel. After a while, he pulled off to the left and slid back, giving me a nod as he went by. I was a bit surprised, but not wanting to disappoint, I did my best. It was an awesome feeling being the lead and having these four guys drafting.
Inevitably (sp?) we began a climb and I couldn't hang, so I dropped back to the rear and I know I could have stayed with them, but there was just enough distance between us that I got caught at a friggin red light. It was frustrating watching them ride on while I sat (and it was the LONGEST light ever...
It was cool while it lasted, though. Anyway, another guy pulled up next to me and we ended up riding together the remaining 5 miles or so.I'm really jealous of these guys with 8,9,10 cassettes in the back and here I am with only 6. Although I'm a newbie and more cogs would be great... I also know that the 6 is really going to make me a stronger rider.
Anyway... cheers! :dancing:
. To some it may seem "g@y" but thats usually not what im thinking about, im usually thinking how the other guy on his new nicely colored 9/10spd is taking to my passing him. I can only imagine its a wonderful feeling seeing some lil punks a@@ wiggling in your face, go by on a pink/yellow double 6. so all in all its great. Well sorry you had to suffer threw this I know the way all of this was worded was horrific but oh well
Im sure your all smarter now knowing all of this information. So with that I bid to you farewell.