Group Rides - To Be Faster or To Be Funner?!?!

Group rides can significantly improve your cycling abilities through enhanced learning, skill development, and motivation. Riding with others exposes you to new techniques, pushes you to ride at a faster pace, and encourages you to exceed your limits, leading to faster overall performance improvements. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

• Skill Development:

  Group rides offer opportunities to learn and refine various cycling skills. You can observe experienced riders and pick up tips on things like cornering, drafting, and bike handling in close proximity to others. 

• Enhanced Speed and Fitness:

  The competitive aspect of group rides often motivates you to push yourself harder than you might on your own, leading to increased speed and improved fitness. 

• Drafting:

  Riding in a group allows you to practice and master the art of drafting, which can significantly reduce wind resistance and conserve energy. 

• Pace Line Dynamics:

  Group rides often involve pace lines where riders take turns at the front, which helps you learn to maintain a consistent pace and work with others efficiently. 

• Mental Toughness:

  Group rides can be mentally challenging, especially when riding with faster cyclists or during intense efforts. This can help build mental fortitude and improve your ability to handle discomfort. 

• Social Aspects:

  Group rides are a great way to connect with other cyclists, share experiences, and build a sense of community. 

However, it's important to choose the right group and be mindful of etiquette:

• Appropriate Group:

  Ensure the group's pace and intensity align with your current fitness level to avoid injury or discouragement. 

• Etiquette:

  Familiarize yourself with basic group riding etiquette, such as signaling turns, maintaining a safe distance, and communicating effectively with other riders. 

• Balancing with Training:

  Group rides can be a great addition to your training, but it's important to balance them with structured training to achieve specific fitness goals. 

Some group rides are more about the social experience:

Recycled Cycling hosts a fun, moderately paced (~9 MPH) group ride every Wednesday evening at 5:30 pm. Be sure to contact the shop to learn more! These are no-drop rides meaning everyone is welcome and nobody rides alone no matter their speed! We typically stop somewhere mid-ride for beers and burgers. We’ve had groups of 30+ riders some nights… so come join in the fun!