I’ve been cycling regularly since about July of last year, been getting in great shape, lost 70 lbs, and have been riding roughly 15 miles 5-6 times per week. I get the 15 miles done in an hour or less without stopping. I’m pretty proud of my progress and I’d like to start getting out and making some cycling friends. There’s a Critical Mass meetup that started near me and I want to go but I have no idea how I compare with others or if I’ll be able to keep up.
I’m not interested in racing as I’ve never considered myself much of an athlete, but I don’t want to slow the group down or get left behind.
I attached my metrics from an average day last week, one is a quick 7 mile lunchtime ride that I did at a leisurely pace, the other is my normal nightly ride.
ChatGPT seems to be telling me the pace I’m riding at is considered advanced bordering racing pace… but I kinda feel like it’s over exaggerating.
Anyways, just looking for some others opinions, am I in the ballpark for keeping up with others on a group ride?
I should also mention I’m riding a brand new Trek FX Sport 4, just got it about 2 weeks ago.
by TheBeadGeeks
8 Comments
There’s a group ride for everyone.
That’s the beauty of riding a bike.
Yes, you’re ready. Have fun!
Group rides I do are social, slower chill.
If they don’t post it, you can usually contact the person coordinating the group ride. They should tell you what their pace is, and whether it is a no drop ride (i.e., they will wait for folks to regroup, usually after a climb).
Probably depends on the group.
I’m about 1mph faster than you and I don’t feel I’m ready for group rides in my area, but that group flies past me at 25-27mph on Tuesday nights.
A more chill group I’d feel more comfortable with.
You’re ready for critical mass. Ready for a bigger social ride. Don’t think many fast rides would accept you in the bunch with a bike like that. Regardless of your fitness and skill. They’ll see that and assume you’re a risk in the bunch.
I think you mentioned you’re in Florida. A trained rider will be rolling anywhere between 18-22 mph average speed solo since it’s so flat. (I race bicycles in Florida)
You can ride a BMX bike at critical mass and be fine. For a proper roadie group ride, having a hybrid isn’t ideal but your solo ride numbers look fine.
Like others have mentioned… Different groups for different speeds, focus, pleasure, etc.
Find a group that is willing to teach you. It’s not about one guy pulling all the time. It’s about leaning to enjoy it and more importantly to build trust and ride cooperatively.
Remember when starting off. Give yourself a bit more gap from the rider in front. Keep your fingers on the brakes. You will feel the draft working when it does. Don’t look at the wheel in front of you, look at the person and look through them to anticipate what’s coming up. Learn proper signals (not just road signals) like flicking your elbow to change the lead. Learn to Echelon in cross winds. Do not cross wheel especially at the start. BE PREDICTABLE! I only get into really tight pelotons with guys I trust and have ridden with for a long time, guys who I know don’t get squirrelly or do abrupt things like get out of the saddle and attack with no warning.
Group rides are more about the cooperation than the overall speed, because once you cooperate well you can hold easier speed, hence many times the general classification and main peloton will catch the break away groups in races.
I personally have groups I ride with speed or distance in mind and others more chill. Enjoy the friendships you will make.