Beginner feeling bad about being too slow!

Don't panic Sarah. There'll be at least one or two that will help you, you're bound to get a half decent rider in a group like that.

Plus it'll be funny for them if you do fall off (but not a bad one) and for you too. I always laugh when I come off, or am just about to lose it.

How long is the other half out for, was it a bad off?

Hear, hear. Make an appeal to the group leader - just say, look, I want to keep riding with you guys but I can't really keep up with your pace. Can we slow things down a bit?

One of three things will happen - either they will slow down, and help you along until you are able to keep up with their pace; they'll slow down initially until the herd mentality takes over, then they'll be off again; or they'll laugh at you and tell you not to ride with them until you can keep up.

A good group will do the first; a mediocre group will do the second; and a bad group will do the third.

The thing is this - don't feel bad about being slow. Do what suits you, in your own time and style and at your own pace. If the group can't handle this, it's not your problem, it's theirs.

This is why I no longer ride with others very often. I don't want to race (I've got nothing to prove, and a group will ALWAYS race despite what they say); and very often I don't want to have to think about anyone else. That might seem a selfish attitude but it solves an awful lot of problems.

Three people at most is plenty. That way you don't really feel the need to compete and if the worst DOES happen (an accident or serious breakdown, etc) one of you can scoot off for help while the other two stick together!

Ride how you want, when you want and at your pace - sod everybody else!

They never are though. There'll always be ones that have to lead and it will inevitable turn into a race.

I only ride with 2 others thats enough for me, any more and it would just get too messy.

Hi,

Was the other halfs accident in Dalby Forest? We were there the other day and a rescue chopper was busy nearby...

Sweet.

don't make him too jealous or he may tryto get back on the bike too soon.

mediamonkey wrote:

Whereabouts do you ride? I'm in Hampshire too and always on the lookout for some more good spots!

Hope your fella mends quickly. I need to start getting my fiancee out on the bike a bit more - she's more of a "summer cyclist"... :roll:

I live in Emsworth, far eastern edge of Hampshire, but cycle mainly with a friend from Fareham. There is a good group that ride from Whiteley every Sunday, and QECP can be plenty of fun.

I had a good look round local areas, so do ask if you are looking for a local club.

Jess.

what a lovely thread! the kind that gives you the warm fuzzy feeling inside. just me? oh right

anyhoo, i'm the only one in my group of friends who is properly into mountain biking so
a) being the only one with a proper bike i feel i should be first to the top of the hill. this means i push too hard and i'm glad of the rest at the top (i'd like longer rests really but my friend on his really heavy BMX seems intent on keeping up with me all the way up climbs then zooming down the downhills at a hundred miles an hour)
b) even if the fastest in the group is way faster than everyone else they are much more appreciative of having riding buddies and would rather wait for hours at the top of climbs for friends than go out in the cold and wet on their lonesome

i don't know anyone whos had bad experiences from impatient riding partners. has anyone else?