Hi,

I'm a mountain biker who recently picked up road biking in some sense to help me to build strength for my off-road endeavors without beating myself to death on the trails everyday. Anyways, I'm finding that, while I'm a fairly strong mountain biker, I am *weak* when compared with many of these roadies. Turning that double crank(up Lookout Mountain in Golden, CO, for those of you who know it) burns me out fast! When I'm in a paceline, everyone takes turns leading up front. I hang out in back, since I'm slow. I have been offered a couple times to lead, and it usually turns out disasterously. I can't keep a steady pace for everyone by myself, and I have no computer to guide me. I'm slow, so it brings the whole group down and screws things up. This is something I never encounter in mountain biking, and I'm not sure how to handle it. Should I just say "no" when asked to lead? Would that be rude in itself? I think for the time being it would be best for everyone if I just hung out back, but I don't know the standard etiquette. Any thoughts?

get a computer, one with a cadence would be best. When you're riding in the line, see how fast the group is pacing at and when you get to the front, get as aero as you can and match their speed, pull the group for as long as you can then pull to the left and fall too the rear and recover. It doesn't matter if it's 30 seconds or 5 minutes. You'll get faster, you just need to ride more both solo and with the group. If you know the guys in the group they should be understanding. When up front, always call out things ahead, the guy/gals are following you and your tire, usually with 12" from your rear or closer. Just remember to have fun and stay alert.

if you tell them that you're a newbie roadie and they still want you to have a go at pulling the group, then i don't think they should complain.

i don't think there is any harm in saying no when asked to pull the group and it might help if you give them that "can't you see i'm suffering" look. however if everyone else in the group refuses to pull (and gives that look), then the leader might probably just sprint off and ride alone; no point pulling a bunch of free-loaders.

by the way, i am sympathetic to the newbie roadie and can understand if they don't want to pull. been there, done that, so i understand what it's like. but others might not be as sympathetic.

boon

I think the group is too fast for you to do a pace line. I would either find another group that's slower, or a group that doesn't do a pace line. I would also talk to some of the people privately and ask them what they think about you not taking the lead until you are a stronger rider. Riders talk, try to figure what they are saying about you. The higher level you go, the more you need the right fit for you cycling style. They may not mind knowing that you are in there trying. I've seen good computers online for $12 plus shipping. You have much more invested in riding than that.

[QUOTE=jsigone]get a computer, one with a cadence would be best. When you're riding in the line, see how fast the group is pacing at and when you get to the front, get as aero as you can and match their speed, pull the group for as long as you can then pull to the left and fall too the rear and recover. It doesn't matter if it's 30 seconds or 5 minutes. You'll get faster, you just need to ride more both solo and with the group.QUOTE]

Bingo. If the other people in the group see that you are taking a pull at the front and actually trying they will probably not say anything if you only lead for 30 seconds or so.

Working smoothly in a paceline takes practice. it's easier to get that practice if you're not killing yourself to maintain speed for a few seconds. So maybe you should ride with this group when they are doing slower rides.

Sitting in the back being ok depends on the group and the ride.

When you're in a paceline don't pull til you're dead. Leave something for the next rotation, and also make sure that you leave enough so you can accelerate to get on the last wheel when you drop back. Depending on how the rotation is being done that acceleration may be kind of hard if you just used up everything in your pull.

Get a computer. Like said before try to assess what the groups pace is while you are being pulled, then try to maintain that pace hwen it is your turn to pull. only pull until you start feeling like you are working significantly harder and breathing significantly harder than you were when you were being pulled, then it is time ti drop to the rear---signal off and pull off to get there. If you are really feeling blown the next tiem your turn comes around make it a very short one and then pull off. You are not doing anybody any good if your pulling pace causes the group to slow down. I think cadence is less helpfull than overall speed, as I usually drop a gear and increase my cadence it is my time to pull, compared to when i am coasting in the back while resting.

When you are alone practice riding in the drops for 4-5 minutes at a time all the while maintaining the pace that your group tends to gravitate to in their group rides. Alternate those simulated pulls with some slower rest periods of 5-10 minutes until you can do the simulated pulls ( five or six of them) without feeling blown out by them, then you are likely ready to rejoin the group and try again.

Lastly ask for suggestions from the other riders in the group and be open to criticisms--usually these guys are looking for a nice fast consistent ride, and if they can find (or manufacture) another competent puller they are even happier to have you along.

Sounds like a consensus on the computer. Can somebody reccmond a cheap, simple, reliable one? I don't need anything fancy.

cateye astrale 8

cateye Micro Wireless 29.99 on ebay!

cateye astrale 8

suer reliable (not fancy at all), but has all the functions I like (odometer, time, distance, cadence, speed) there are cheaper, but this one has served our family well. we have 2 and will be getting a 3rd sometime in the next week

don't go to the front of a paceline if you can't really pull. Just hold it for 30 seconds or so if you can, then drop off. Nothing worse than having the speed fluctuate up and down.

get the computer. you won't regret it. don't obsess over what's on it though. it's just a measuring tool.