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Cycling Forum: Getting Dropped in the Pack

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    • CommentAuthorFree MemberRiderman
    • CommentTimeMay 16th 2008
     
    Riderman

    I am cyclist of 6 months now and have lost 50lbs since November wich is great although no matter how much I rest in between rides and make sure my nutrition is controled it seems as though I cant get stronger and continue to get dropped when riding with groups. I am as faster than the slow group and not fast as the fast group so what is the key to success in terms of hanging on? My legs burn and heart rate is high!

    • CommentAuthorFree MemberTrekn1
    • CommentTimeMay 17th 2008
     
    Trekn1
    Speed and endurance come with training, this takes time. Interval training can help. Hang in there and have fun!
    • CommentAuthorFree Membersjk
    • CommentTimeMay 24th 2008
     
    sjk
    Training certainly helps! A couple small tips that will make a bit of difference if you're not already doing them: 1. Make sure you stay close to the person in front of you and catch as much draft as possible. It can make a big difference. 2. Until you can fully keep up, stick to the back of the pack and don't try to get to the front (assuming no one cares....). You can save an awful lot of energy that way.
    • CommentAuthorFree MemberRoadie12
    • CommentTimeMay 24th 2008
     
    Roadie12
    The biggest thing is to not give up.  Cycling is a sport where years matter the most.  Muscle memory is huge.  Most experts will tell new riders to just put in as many miles as possible in the first year or two.  Don't worry about training specificity.  Intervals, lactate threshold training, and such will be much more beneficial after a year of miles.  Be patient.  Observe how the faster guys act and react in the pack.  Learn to draft, play with it.  You need to learn to find it and maximize it.  It's not always as easy as riding directly behind someone.  Work on pedaling efficiency.  Be a sponge for information.  If you start learning the finer points now, while your legs are learning to ride.  You will be well off when your legs finally figure it out.  6 months is still pretty green, you'll be amazed at how much easier it will be in a year or two!  Good luck, and remember to keep the rubber side down!
    • CommentAuthorFree MemberMk1Racer
    • CommentTimeMay 25th 2008
     
    Mk1Racer

    What level group are you riding with?  Also, the slower groups tend to focus more on staying together as a group, whereas the faster groups not so much.  The club I belong to had descriptions listed on their site for the various ride levels.  Pretty much anything B and up says that slower riders may be dropped.  C and lower tend to stay together, and the ride leader will sweep and make sure that no one is dropped.  C to B seems to be the big dividing line in club rides.  You will get some very fast people in B rides.  For example, our Tues and Thurs evening club rides tend to have the front of the B pack come in over 18.5

     

    You also haven't said much about your riding style.  One of the guys I ride w/ after work talks about how he's not getting any faster, but he keeps pushing big gears at a slow cadence.  If you don't have one, get yourself a bike computer that will monitor cadence.  You want to shoot for a cadence somewhere between 85-95 when you're on the flats, and with the group.  Too big a gear and too slow a cadence will really sap your energy, especially if you have to go up a hill.

     

    Good luck and stick with it! 

    • CommentAuthorFree MemberRiderman
    • CommentTimeMay 28th 2008
     
    Riderman

    Thanks Guys for the comments.

    I am currently putting in about about 300 mile a month and Cadence is always high I tried pushing big gears but found it was much easier to peddle fast while building more strainght.

    I ride with pretty high intensity on tues/thurs rides about 30 miles each with a club (not a member) there categorized rides are on the weekend but the week rides are a free for all and the groups form as you ride. I have been finding myself on the leading end of the mid group mainly on hills, I can hang pretty well on the flats. So I have come to the realization that I need to get stronger and continue to loose weight which always helps.

    Oh yah, Roadie 12 there will be no giving up on my end and so far the rubber has stayed on the ground!

     

    Riderman

    • CommentAuthorFree MemberMk1Racer
    • CommentTimeMay 28th 2008
     
    Mk1Racer
    Sounds like you've got it figured out.  Keep up the good work and hang in there.

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