Disappointed

[provoked]

Thought I would try a ride with a group today, so went ahead and joined the group leaving Bundoora (Melb, VIC). Bike was nice and smooth after the service yesterday, was ready to go. Felt a little awkward as I knew no one, but took off with the rest of them.

Before I left, I realised the LBS put my front wheel on the other way, so that my speedo magnet was on the opposite side to the sensor. Tried to remove and re-attach, but the group left as I was re-attaching. So took off with them with a loose magnet. About 5k in, the damn thing started sliding around, so had to stop and fix it. Was at the back of the bunch, so no-one noticed me stopping. Then, couldn’t get the damn thing on with numb fingers...lost the bunch.

Tried to catch em, but with my longest ride yet yesterday (~65k), my legs couldn't take it.

Am I just not ready? Feeling really crappy about this - sorry to any members here from that bunch!

[ni78ck]

not to worry, you just need to spend more time on the bike, so next time you can keep up with them. the experiance would of been great for you.keep it up!

[sogood]

Leave the magnet in place and swing the wheel around. That's what the quick release is for.

[provoked]

Would have been easier with numb fingers, didn't think of that. Was bloody nervous. Really kicking myself now -though legs feel beaten after yesterdays effort. May give it another whirl next Sunday (hoping it's just the long ride yesterday stopping me)

[sogood]

Things to be learnt are,

1) Always check your gears before a ride.
2) Always introduce yourself to members of a new bunch.
3) You don't need a computer to have a good ride. If you really need the data, just ask any of the other riders in the bunch.

[Pax]

Yep for you it is more a lesson in not being fully prepped, rather than any other problem.

HOWEVER: Say What with your LBS...
that is a poor piece of service if they put your wheel on the wrong way around....the position of the quick release should be to the left of the bike, are you saying that they had it on the right hand side thereby stuffing up your sender magnet position and potentially your tread direction (tyres aren't actually reversable, there is a tread direction that is optimal, to reverse that is wrong) ??

Pretty poor form from them!!!!!!!! Even if you actually took it down to them having set it up back to front yourself, they should have fixed the whole setup, not just turned the wheel around, AND should have informed you of it so you learn.

Not a very professional crew I say. Better luck next ride, don't be put off....its is all just a good lesson.

[Chuck]

May give it another whirl next Sunday (hoping it's just the long ride yesterday stopping me)

Definitely give it another go mate.

[didge]

Sorry to hijack the thread a bit provoked, but what route did you take around Bundoora? I'm thinking about doing some lunchtime training rides from when I'm at uni. Feel free to PM me if you don't want the thread hijacked.

[provoked]

Haha, couldn't tell you mate. Only travelled around 5km. We were going down Plenty Rd (apparently they go down to Mernda).

[JV911]

Definitely give it another go mate.

+1

trying to play catch-up would have taken it out of you

poor form from the LBS

[philip]

poor form from the LBS

If no one noticed him dropping off I wouldn't really call it poor form. [Edit: oops, read this wrong the first time, thought you meant it was poor form from the bunch. definitely poor form from the LBS if they did put the wheel on the wrong way.]

For next time, yelling out "mechanical" before stopping should let the group know to slow down or stop to wait. If they still didn't then that would be poor form.

+1 for giving it another go!

[lemmiwinks]

Next time don't worry if your computer isn't going, so long as your gears, brakes and wheels are all shipshape anything else you can fix up afterwards. It's easier to stay on than to get back on if you get dropped. Definitely give it another go, bunch riding is awesome fun.

[damhooligan]

don't be to hard on yourself, these things happen...
None of it was your fault.

I would go back to the lbs and complain, if they provide anything close to what in reality is called service,
the would apoligize and do something to make up for it.
(discount for next time)

Have you introduced yourself to the group??
I find it very rude of them to leave a new member behind,
it could have neen a mistake , but if not..
what would happen if you get a flat half way?
would they leave you stranded up there too???
You are better of on your own , or find another group
(ie make one yourself...)

Keep us updated about your next attempt,
on the bright side, can't get much worse...

[provoked]

No, no fault to the LBS (Don't ask ). Realised this morning it was my own mistake. LBS have done a great job.

The one thing I noticed about the group is that it was a pretty large group made of smaller groups (1-3 riders). I just felt there was no opportunity to get up and intoduce myself, just felt like most would have thought i'd lost it. I'm considering possibly joining a more "oragnised" group such as the Coburg club, who are prepared for a few newbies tagging along. Not sure, although I will definately give it another crack next weekend.

[drubie]

No, no fault to the LBS. Realised this morning it was my own mistake. LBS have done a great job.

The one thing I noticed about the group is that it was a pretty large group made of smaller groups (1-3 riders). I just felt there was no oppurtunity to get up and intoduce myself, just felt like most would have thought i'd lost it. I'm considering possibly joining a more "oragnised" group such as the Coburg club, who are prepared for a few newbies tagging along. Not sure, although I will definately give it another crack next weekend.

Just give it time - if the group sees you turning up regularly you'll soon be part of the conversations. Most bunches get "oncers" every now and again and it's hard for the regular riders (who might be club mates or whatever) to try to say g'day to every new face they see. If they get familiar with you and your bike and you're trying hard to stay with them, it won't take long.

You have to remember that for a lot of group rides this is part of their race training - they don't necessarily have time to hang around waiting for you if you fall off the back or are getting in the way, so it's also important to find a group that is better than you (so you improve) but not a bunch of a-graders.

[DanielS]

Like others have said, your only mistake was bothering to fix something as trivial as the computer magnet. So no need to feel bad.

If you show up to a group ride, just introduce yourself to whoever, if they snob you off then you don't want to ride with them anyway. And whatever you do, make sure you're ready to go when everyone starts to leave! If you can slot yourself in near the front you have a much lower chance of getting dropped.

[provoked]

Hey All,

Thanks for the replies! I will definately give it another shot.

Thanks for all the encouragement.

Cheers.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

(tyres aren't actually reversable, there is a tread direction that is optimal, to reverse that is wrong)

On-road at least, that is incorrect.

[provoked]

Hey All,

Tried my hand at the ride again today, couldn't make it...

I'm just not there in terms of fitness; I have to push to keep up with the group up the hills. I feel better about it though this week, I now have no excuses and know I simply have to work harder to get to the level the groups at.

So it's either I start training a lot harder and push harder during my commutes, or I could possibly find a more "beginner" oriented group.

Thanks all.

[casual_cyclist]

So it's either I start training a lot harder and push harder during my commutes, or I could possibly find a more "beginner" oriented group.

Not sure where you are, but there are usually beginner groups around the place. You might find pretty quickly that you outgrow them and are then looking for something more challenging. Good luck.

[Redbull]

Stick with the group you are in.

You will get to recognise people, build relationships and they will push you harder to increase your level than riding with others of the same ability.

No shame in being dropped, there is shame in not coming back and having a better crack.

Hills never get any easier, you just go up them faster - so don't worry about falling back, just work like crazy to get back on the bunch and suck some big'uns.

Mate of mine was starting to train with a full on bunch. He was happy after the first month just to find out where they had coffee at the end of the ride He stuck it out is a far stronger rider than if he was by himself or in an easier group.

[drubie]

+1 for redbull

I get dropped a lot, but still made plenty of friends so far. There's nothing like it for improving your cycling. There are hills around town now I would never have attempted 6 months ago that, while I don't find easy, I do find myself heading up a lot faster than I used to.

Remember though, the first bunch ride you complete within sight of the bunch means you have to start racing

[lemmiwinks]

Hills never get any easier, you just go up them faster

So true!

[sandman]

Provoked, if you think you are 70% of the way there I wouldnt drop back. You only get better by riding with people that are better than you. You might get dropped a few times but over a period it will be less and less and then you will find yourself hanging on. Though in saying that if this group is practicing for the Commonwealth Games then they could be in another league

About chasing, it takes a hell of a lot of mind control to do it. I used to get onto the chase and want to catch tem as quick as I could. In some respects getting there quicker means I can get back on and suck a wheel to recover, on the other hand you can push yourself into the red and blow up. IN a chase, focus on yourself, cadence and breathing as you need to maintain a sustainable speed. I chased 2 guys down this morning, head said catch tem as quick as you can, body told head we're going to do it my way so a nice cadence, got as aero as i could and maintained a speed I could sustain, caught the guys and kept going... worked well....

Sandman

[USM TOM]

i wish there was a bunch around here for me to ride with
the only cyclist in my town are kids on there dirt jump bikes