Joining my first group ride
The ride was listed on Pavé Cycles’ Strava as 72 km with 800 m of elevation gain. A solid effort, but nothing that worried me. I’ve done similar distances plenty of times before. There were two speed groups, and I picked the slower one – though “slower” is relative when you’re trying to prove you belong.
From the start, it felt exhilarating. We formed a double pace line, two riders abreast, about 12 of us in total. Rolling out of the city like that felt luxurious. Drivers actually gave us space. I felt so much safer in traffic embedded in a disciplined, respected group.
Thrown in the deep end
But I quickly realised that this safety comes at a cost. Group riding is mentally taxing when you’re new. Constantly watching the wheel in front of me, signalling to the riders behind, reacting to every pothole and speed bump… I had to stay switched on the entire time. It was nothing like the calm, meditative rhythm of solo riding.
And then there was the heat. It was 35°C, and the late afternoon sun radiated off the asphalt, turning the road into a slow cooker. The same speed and effort that usually kept me in zone 2 or 3 suddenly had my heart rate soaring into the top of zone 4. I knew I wasn’t great at riding in the heat. Still, I had bailed on group rides before for lesser excuses. This time, I decided to tough it out. (Spoiler: it was even worse than I expected.)
The problem with heat is that you can’t just push through it. Riding solo, I naturally adjust my effort to keep cool. But in the group, the pace was set. Dropping back wasn’t an option without risking getting dropped entirely.
When things started to unravel
My inexperience started to show. I spent most of the ride at the back, which meant I had to accelerate after every stop, turn or hesitation to catch the elastic band snapping ahead. My logic was that I didn’t want to split the group if I couldn’t hold the wheel. Ironically, this tactic made things much harder for me.
About 20 km in, we hit a stretch of exposed crosswind. Suddenly, I was pushing past my threshold just to hang on. I cracked on the next climb and drifted off the back. Thankfully, I learned what “no-drop” meant: the group waited at the top.
But not every climb was long enough to qualify for a regroup. With the sun beating down and my legs repeatedly red-lining, I started slipping off the back on even short inclines. By kilometre 35, I thought I was done. But two kind riders dropped back and paced me back to the group. It felt like chasing down a breakaway with teammates – my own little pro peloton moment. Despite my suffering, it was a cool experience.
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The suffering subsides
Mercifully, the second half of the ride brought more descents and shade. The setting sun took the edge off the heat, and I could finally stay with the group without riding myself into the ground. We flew down long sweeping descents together, and for the first time all ride, I was smiling instead of grimacing. Hills still hurt, but I wasn’t riding alone anymore.
What the group ride taught me
Rolling back to the bike shop, I was absolutely toast. But I also felt proud. I hung on. Barely, but I did. Some riders stayed for a drink, and one of them told me I did well for a first-timer. Maybe he was just being nice, but I chose to believe him. The vibe was welcoming, and the shared effort in the heat made the cold beverage taste even better.
I learned a few key things:
- Choose a group that matches your ability. The draft helps, but only to a point.
- Don’t underestimate the heat. And don’t overestimate your ability to ignore it.
- Stay in the middle of the pack if you can. Yo-yoing at the back is a recipe for suffering.
Most importantly, I learned that riding in a group is a different sport. It’s more social, more dynamic, and way more fun once you get the hang of it. I overheard gear debates, shared encouragement, and felt part of something bigger than just me and my bike.
Am I going again? Absolutely. Just maybe when it’s under 30°C.
