Bad Group Ride Experience

Nothing wrong with being jittery around cars on the bike.  If it makes you stick to areas that are safer to ride on that could be a good thing.  Personally I can do it, but I hate riding in traffic.  I make a strong effort to stick to the areas I know are the safest and for my weekday early morning rides in the dark I stick to the loop in my part of town that I think is the safest.  It gets boring doing the same 4 mi. loop over and over but I'd rather be bored than crippled or dead.  I've never done a group ride and can't offer you any advice there.  I can tell you that riding solo all the time is very doable and not liking group rides is no reason to get discouraged about triathloning.

1.  You don't need a psych.

2.  You can avoid group rides if you want but....

Like the others said, give it some time. 

Not all group rides are the same.  I am very lucky that the group I ride with has a wide range of abilities.  The main thing is that the LBS owner (who manages the rides) is a great biker and understands that people have different abilities.  He has been know to ride his mountain bike just so that he can get around easier (over curbs and through the crap) to help other folks out.

It is a bummer when you don't get a chance to rest with everyone else but just think of it as extra training.

Have fun!

Almost all of my rides are solo.  Just not into the group thing, scheduling, meeting,waiting,  etc.

Recently though I've been riding w/ one experienced rider and man, is he aggresive on the roads. It takes some getting used to but I'll be better for it. Now if he was just a bit faster

Still, I prefer to ride where there is less traffic and also longer and harder than him. So do what works for you but remember, you'll race alone.

GolfMark, first off, great job getting out there and riding with the group.  You'll get more use to downhills the more comfortable you get on a bike.  When I first started going down hill, I wouldn't dare let my bike get above 20 - 25 mph and I would always have my brakes on.  You could smell them on my way down.  Now I barely brake because I'm comfortable on the bike.  It will come with time.

But, I have to address some things.  None of this is to be negative.

It sounds like the bike group was really looking out for you.  It was your first time and from the sounds of it, the "fast" group showed up and were making sure you were ok.  That's hard to find, unfortunately.

Just because you bike doesn't have a seat belt doesn't mean it's not a vehicle.  Actually, in most states, you bike is a vehicle.  That the reason you can't go flying down a sidewalk at 20 mph.  If you're riding on the road, you're a vehicle.  That means that you observe the rules of the road and that includes making a left turn just like a car does.  That's why riding in a pack is much safer.  It lets vehicles know that we are there.

Instead of thinking of the one car that honked at you, think of the many cars that DIDN'T honk at you and actually respected your right to be on the road.  You just get people that don't think you should be on the road no matter what.  They are wrong...you are not.  We've been on a 25 mph road doing 25+ and had a car honk at us.  Go figure.

Think of the postive and the longer you ride, the better you'll get.  And keep going on the group rides...it will make you a better rider. 

Keep up the good work.

Ditto to all Dan said above; Overall your ride went well and your next will go better.  It really does get easier in time.  Remember that it's supposed to be fun, and don't let a cranky SUV idiot spoil that for you.

 I'd suggest arriving to the meet-up location just a little earlier to A.) let them get to know you and your exp a little better and B.) connect with another regular rider who'll be towards the back, taking an easy day, or whatever.   They can chat with you about the Rules of the Road (bikes are part of traffic, just like cars) and the dynamics of the group (just knowing who's off the front and why might make you less irritated when they're not patiently waiting for you to recover because they have a big workout planned, race date just ahead, etc.).  They can also tell you who's *not* out at the ride -- there may be a rider very similar to you who just stayed home on that one day.  Knowing that can help you decide if this group is the right one for you in the future. 

Good luck and keep on riding, no matter what.

Unless it snows, and then it's OK to wimp out a little and get on the trainer.

I ride the route Mark rode all the time, so my comments come from knowing exactly the conditions he's talking about, and I'll bet I know the left hand turn he's talking about.

1.  First off - that is a TOUGH ride to have as your first group ride.  This ride has a good 2-3000 feet of climbing in it, and a fast downhill.  I would suggest getting more group rides in on flat terrain to build up your confidence.  Really, I have to emphasize that this is a tough route to ride in a group.

2.  Waiting. -  As a Clydesdale, I know quite well the feeling of others' having to wait.  Seriously, I've been riding in PV for two years now.  At the toop of the switchbacks I have gone from last to third to last, but people still have to wait, and now I wait for others.  It's all part of the "group ride" dynamic.  I think it's great that others waited for you.  The longer you ride with the group, and the stronger you get, the less they will have to wait. 

It made me uncomfortable too at first.  Now I appreciate it, but I also understand when people don't.  Unless I have to be somewhere, I absolutely 100% do not mind waiting, or stopping for a flat.

I also understand wanting more rest.  The grop dynamic will either (1) make you stop riding with them (maybe it is too advanced a group and is not appropriate) or (2) work your a$$ off so get you get dropped furtyher each time.  My approach was the latter.  My first "group ride" consisted of a warm up then a tradition hammer fest sprint, I got dropped 5 miles into the ride.  That's how some groups work.

3.  Left turns - Yes, IMHO you should turn from the left lane, but if you prefer crosswalks by all means use that.  I think you'll get comfortable doing left turns if you do it safely.  Several hundred yards before the turn, start looking at traffic.  There should be a nice break to get into the left lane.  If not, then use the crosswalk.

I think the particulat left turn that you are talking about is at the base of PV East?  It's the bottom of a long downhill and cars come fast, but it's not super heavy traffic, but there are breaks allowing you to get over.

Sounds too me like this wasn't a merge but people at the bottom, at a complete stop, trying to get into the left turn lane.  That's a fustercluck.

4. The downhill - This is a two lane twisty downhill, lots of trees on either side. If you are uncomfortable going downhill, this isn't the place to be.  I am fairly comfortable on this road but there are times when I do get nervous.  I make it a habit (on all downhills) to make sure I know if there is traffic behind me.   If there is, I slow and stay as far to the right as is safe, sometimes I give them a wave as if to say "It's ok, come pass me now."

Some people are nice.  Some people are a-holes.  I don't think I've been on a ride recently where someone didn't honk at someone in our group (I even got a "biker fag" yell as I was changing a tire in PV Sat --that's rare)

5.  Speed - yes, I started at 25 being fast, then 30, then 35, etc.  I also don't go as fast as others, but you do get used to it and more confident.

I'd say find another group in some flats and get some group experience.  In my opinion, it's a LOT safer than riding on your own.

Chris

Not at all, I am firmly of the opinion that not EVERY ride needs to be a hammer session.  Unfortunately, many group rides end up being that way since someone always wants to do a sprint off the front, and I think we're hard wired to take off after the sprinters like lions on the Kalahari

For the record, I wasn't even aware there was a bike lane coming down city side on PV East.  Although there is a sign there that says "Not Suitable for Bicycles"

Hey Mark,
Everyone has been giving you some very good advice.  And I think you're keeping a good attitude towards improvement.

Here's my 2 cents....

I teach a course for IPMBA (international police mountain bike association).  We start at the very basics.  The key points to riding in traffic safely is to be Predictable, Conspicuous, and ride like you're a vehicle, because you are.

In my profession I investigate a lot of Car vs. Bike fatalities.  Its almost always the same scenario, inexperienced cyclist, inappropriate gear (wearing all black at dusk w/ no lights).  You have to be sure of yourself and your skills if you're going to ride in traffic or around other, more experienced riders.  How do you get experience?  Just as you have been.  Join friendly group rides.  Take your time and slowly and surely get over your fear of speed and vehicle traffic.  

The safest cyclist in traffic is one who rides WITH and LIKE other vehicles.

Be safe!