Does the group have a Web site? Many do, and they answer many of your
questions, e.g.
http://www.bikepptc.org/classification.html
As you can see, the higher speed rides often include riding in a paceline.
If you don't have experience in these, let the other riders know, and they
won't give you a rash about avoiding a pull at the front.

I second Helen's comments about different club's policy on dropped riders.
Theoretically, at least the ride leader should ride the advertised pace.
Around here, it's common for group rides to go much quicker than advertised.
So you might want to be a big fish in a little pond until you get a feel for
the club.

Another caveat is the quality of the "cue sheet" for the ride. These are
often 8½ x 11 sheets folded into fourths with names of roads, cumulative
miles, and miles between points. Some are abysmal, with obsolete landmarks,
etc. Another good idea for riding in a "slower" group; minimizing the
chance of getting dropped andlost.

I hope none of this discourages you from trying a group ride or two. They
offer a change of scenery as well as fellowship. Be ready to go at the
advertised time, and be honest about your abilities and experience. You'll
have a ball.

baltobernie

wrote in message
...
In article , Tom
wrote:

I've avoided group rides in the past, but I'm tired of getting brushed
off the road by cars and I figure a group should be safer. I've found
some local rides for novice group riders, and I have some questions
about terminology:

If you're getting brushed off the road you're not riding right. The
way riding in a group will help is that people there can tell you how
better to ride on the road. Group riding has it's own set of skills.


1. What's a recovery ride with tempo pace?

A steady ride at an easier than race pace.



2. Some rides are listed as "A", "B", or "C" road. What does this
mean?

Levels of difficulty/speed/distance/hills


3. What's a pick-up ride?

Usually it's an informal semi-scheduled ride where the participants
decide where to go just before leaving. My old club called them show
and go rides.

4. When riding alone, I average 16-17 mph. What pace should I be able
to maintain in a group?

Um, 16-17 mph? if you truly average 16-17 on the computer including
hills, then with most clubs you would ride at a B level with little
problem. If you cruise on the flat at 16-17 but don't usually go far
(over 30 miles) or don't usually head for the hills you would most
likely start as a C level rider. Most riders find they go a little
faster and a little farther more easily with a group.

When evaluating a group make sure you talk to someone on the phone and
discuss how they handle dropped riders. Some groups like to hammer and
it's every man for his'self. Others have strict no drop policies.
Better yet, since you're a little nervous about being out by yourself,
after talking to a club officer on the phone, head out to a start and
talk to rank and file riders to see if actions match words with regards
to dropped riders.

Most riders ride with more than one group and most groups are
ridiculously cheap on a per year basis. Once you're signed up you'll
get their ride schedules and you can pick and choose what you want to
do on any given day. Most clubs are very friendly to newcomers and
guests so get out there and try a couple.