Comments on: Mountain Biker Turned Roadie – The Roadie Group Ride

By: jason milliron

jason milliron — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:14:44 +0000

Great writeup!Road riding is especially nice during the longer days of summer. Not having to drive to a trail makes thing so much more convenient.jason millirons last blog post..Stanley Gap Group Ride

By: Sid

Sid — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 07:30:18 +0000

That was a very interesting post. I’m glad you were able to ride with a good group. Some roadie groups will drop slow riders the first chance they get and look down on anyone who isn’t riding a $5000 bike with lycra, clipless pedals, and a team kit. For anyone looking to try to join a ride that is new to road cycling, make sure you find a group that has a no-drop policy as this is a good sign that they are friendly to new riders.

One aspect of road rides that I enjoy is the paceline. It benefits the entire group since everyone gets to draft and also makes sure everyone does their part pulling up front. It is also makes the riders interact more and form better bonds with each other since it requires a lot of cooperation and communication.

By: John

John — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:53:56 +0000

Great post. My first group road ride was in the spring of last year (the Hickory Flat ride). It only takes a couple of those to learn some hard lessons. You are spot on with your comments about losing the group for a minute. It HURTS trying to catch back up.

By: Omega

Omega — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:51:26 +0000

great post Robb! We will soon see you id spandex huh? lol

By: Jeff Portaro

Jeff Portaro — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:48:24 +0000

Nice writeup. I remember my first group ride with roadies. I looked the part with the tights and carbon bike, but my giveaway was the mtb shoes I wore. All in all I agree with everything you dealt with, and I still deal with those same issues when I venture out on group rides.

By: 198

198 — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 03:04:20 +0000

@ JimmyNick…absolutely! I hope I never stop learning when it comes to mountain biking…much less road biking where I am very new. We are having our 10 degree mornings now…there was a time in December where we were having all time highs. It was pretty odd, but I wans’t complaining!

@Laurie Thanks again for the invite! You know I will always be up for more abuse. Rich is going to be a blast. Roger and I have been dreaming about that trail for awhile now.

@Frankie Thanks for the response! And you are right…it is nice to have a bike to grab when the trails are wet. With our GA red clay, if we ride when it’s muddy we’ll ruin the most of the trails around here.

@Jonny The spandex is going to have to eventually come…but I refuse to shave! I’m lucky enough to get my face shaved several times a week.

@James I’m with you…I’ll ride just about anything that pedals.

@Ken Higher cadence is something I am really going to have to get used to, but it is going to help out in a lot of areas I’m sure. I can’t wait until you guys head out for the TransRockies…that is going to be an interesting writeup!

Thanks for all of the responses…as you can see…this project is far from over!

-198

By: JimmyNick

JimmyNick — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 02:53:23 +0000

You’re right — you do still have a lot to learn. And if that weren’t true, it wouldn’t be any fun, would it?
I’m a roadie who just took up XC riding, and every time I learn something new on a trail, it just drives home how much more there is to master. But it’s an adventure I can’t wait to continue (if only we could get some of those “bad-weather” Georgia days, instead of this morning’s 8-degree commute — maybe by July).
If all the MTB riders who trash road riding would just try it like you have, most would be as surprised — and as delighted — as you. And they’d be in a lot better shape on the trails.
Now, work your way up to racing! And good luck!

- JN

JimmyNicks last blog post..E does NOT equal mc squared!

By: Laurie Phillips

Laurie Phillips — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 02:31:46 +0000

So glad you came out to play with my roadie friends! You did great and made me proud. It just takes time, and I hope we can do alot more of those rides together. But for now, let’s get back to the dirt for some real fun! See you at Rich Mtn!!

By: Frankie

Frankie — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 02:20:26 +0000

Great article! Alot of it really hits home. I bought my first road bike two and a half years ago to stay in shape through the winter, and to have something to do while the trails are wet (how cliche, huh) and found that I completely love it. Since then, I dropped thirty pounds, and have really stepped up my mountain bike program. Addicted for sure.

By: Jonny

Jonny — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:09:17 +0000

Maybe you got dropped because of the baggy shorts, you might as well be riding with a small parachute. I know how it feels, it took me a while to switch but if you want to go fast its mandatory.