Ahh, its good to be back on the bike. Last year was an off year, not sure why but the bug to ride never got me last year. This year, with my buddies' invite for the Montana trip, I had to start training. Portland has a great group with a Saturday ride that splits into many speed groups. A couple years back I'd worked my way into the 20-23mph group, which now has split into a 20-22 and 22-24 group. Beyond that is the 'open' group, and below of course are the 18-20, and 16-18 mph groups.
Not having ridden with the group for a while, and in only moderate fitness, I rolled with the 18-20 crowd yesterday. (There were actually 3 or 4 groups of about a dozen riders at that speed, so a strong turnout on a warm summer morning.) The last dozen miles my legs tightened up a bit, and my old knees were not happily taking the extra effort, but it felt good to get out in a pack. I sat on the back until I'd observed the relative skill of the group before working my way through, though a couple times I still had to break to avoid catching the wheel of someone in front who had a sudden deceleration. I hate doing it 'cause whomever is behind me is also going to have to react. I'm out of practice with a strong shout of 'breaking' at the moment it happens... the breaking reflex is strong, the announcing it less so. One advantage of moving up speed groups is there is less unexpected behavior in faster groups—if you can hold those speeds over 50+ miles you've probably developed some skills.
I always start a ride with a little prayer my Guardian Angel will look after me, and I was thankful again he/she was keeping a watchful eye.
Not having ridden with the group for a while, and in only moderate fitness, I rolled with the 18-20 crowd yesterday. (There were actually 3 or 4 groups of about a dozen riders at that speed, so a strong turnout on a warm summer morning.) The last dozen miles my legs tightened up a bit, and my old knees were not happily taking the extra effort, but it felt good to get out in a pack. I sat on the back until I'd observed the relative skill of the group before working my way through, though a couple times I still had to break to avoid catching the wheel of someone in front who had a sudden deceleration. I hate doing it 'cause whomever is behind me is also going to have to react. I'm out of practice with a strong shout of 'breaking' at the moment it happens... the breaking reflex is strong, the announcing it less so. One advantage of moving up speed groups is there is less unexpected behavior in faster groups—if you can hold those speeds over 50+ miles you've probably developed some skills.
I always start a ride with a little prayer my Guardian Angel will look after me, and I was thankful again he/she was keeping a watchful eye.