Dropped!

[homebrewbiker]

OK, I admittedly bit off more than I could chew. I usually go on the easy ride from Erik's and am in the lead group, and could probably lead except I don't know the routes since I've only ridden a couple of times. The friend I usually ride with on the easy ride couldn't make it and I work 10 minutes from Maple Grove Erik's, where they were having a challenging road ride. The little flyer said they average 16 - 22 mph which sounded OK. I conveniently ignored the part that said that the rides get faster as the season progresses. Well I hung with the group for about 10 miles out of 36 or something. Man these guys don't slow down for anything. Oh well, I knew my way around the roads so it was not big deal, but I guess these "drop" rides are pretty serious. There were a couple people that I passed trying to get in with the main pack of riders, I wonder what happened to them. Apparently I am not ready for racing after riding my road bike all of 6 times :crazy:

[SickBoy]

Don't worry about it. Getting dropped on road rides is how you get faster, and is also how you learn how to be efficient.

Plus, when you get out on a road ride of less than 50 miles with a group of (about) cat 5 or 4 caliber racers - they get vicious, but the funny thing is, they can't go much further than that at full bore either.

I started riding with the Gopher Wheelmen on their Tuesday and Thursday training rides about three years ago, and I was deathly afraid of getting dropped, because I didn't know the route. (I grew up riding in the Eden Prairie/Chan/Chaska/Minnetonka area, and the GW rides go through Roseville, Vadnais, Hugo, White Bear, etc) That forced me to try to ride smart (to not get dropped) and eventually it made me a lot stronger.

Nothing's more fun than getting good enough to be an antagonist on those rides. So keep at it, you'll get there.

[nigel]

For sure do the GW rides out of County cycles! Nothing but great folks on a great route! They have 2 groups too, a "b" group that is a lil slower and a no dropping policy (i think) and an "a" group that is more or less a race every time ive been on it, but its fun! They are safe rides around 40 miles.

D

[SickBoy]

The "B" group is generally only on Thursdays, and only at the beginning of the season, I think. Don't let that stop anyone from coming out though. Usually the ride starts with around 20-25 people and dwindles off to just a handful in the front group at the end. There's also several shortcuts that can be taken to hook back up with the lead pack. If you get dropped, just softpedal for a while and there's likely to be an autobus group coming up behind you.

Last night was kind of light. I think we had seven at the start, until Pete Maxwell cut off to go to the state fair or something. I've seen as many as about 40 people show for this ride though.

And yes, the "A" group is pretty much a race. The 40 mile summer route has a city limits sprint in Hugo, a hillclimb sprint on the hill east of 61, and 2 stop-ahead sprints as we head in towards White Bear Lake.

[homebrewbiker]

I think the Erik's group is pretty much done for the season. They were not mean spirited about it, just they way they ride. It is the fast ride and they don't stop. I like challenges. I guess I might have to hold off on the Tour de France for a little while.:)

[grizzly adam]

There's also a fast-paced ride out of Erik's in Richfield on Wednesday nights. Cool group of guys. Usually someone will drop back and either help you back to the group or just ride with you. At least it's happened to me. :)

Like Andy said, you really do get better riding with faster riders. Congrats for having the cajones to show up at one of those rides, especially late in teh season. Just hit the trainer all winter and show up on their first ride and then maybe you'll be winning city sign sprints!

[homebrewbiker]

There's also a fast-paced ride out of Erik's in Richfield on Wednesday nights. Cool group of guys. Usually someone will drop back and either help you back to the group or just ride with you. At least it's happened to me. :)

Like Andy said, you really do get better riding with faster riders. Congrats for having the cajones to show up at one of those rides, especially late in teh season. Just hit the trainer all winter and show up on their first ride and then maybe you'll be winning city sign sprints!
I do trail work at wirth on Wed. I will be cross country skiing this winter but will probably do some spinning classes at the gym. This ride is so convenient I will continue to do it. They always ride the same route, and this is much better than fighting traffic to get to Richfield for that ride anyhow.

It would be nice to get a group together here too since a lot of folks have recently gotten road bikes:banana: