I've done several "group rides" in the beginner's group of a club sponsored by a LBS. Yesterday I stepped up to riding with their regular riding group. I was a bit intimidated when about 30 riders showed up and I was the only one with a flat bar and flat pedals on a home-built hybrid. Everyone was in spandex and cycling jerseys so I stood out a bit in denim shorts and an athletic T-shirt. Even though everyone was friendly and supportive, I still felt out of place.
It was about a 30-mile round trip out of the city, cross country to a neighboring small town and back and the wind was picking up as we left. Going through town wasn't bad as the pack broke into a more aggressive group up front and about a dozen less experienced riders in back with one of the ride leaders hanging back with us. Even among the less experienced group, I was the obvious newb.
I did pretty well through town but as we hit the open flats into a hurricane force (OK . . . 10-12 mph) headwind I began to struggle to keep up. I had the aerodynamics of a concrete block and an extra 10 lbs of bike to boot. Eventually, I fell off the back. The group took mercy on me and stopped for a "water break". We headed into the wind again and I kept up fairly well, thanks to another rider who set a slightly slower pace (14-15 mph) and made sure I didn't fall off the back again. Shortly before the turn around point, we came across the aggressive group stopped by the side of the road due to a multi-rider crash. Luckily, nobody was badly injured so the ride continued.
After the turn around, the wind died down a bit and was now at our backs. I found my second wind and had a much easier time keeping up with the group, riding 20-22 mph much of the time. I was able to chat with several riders and began to really enjoy the ride. I finished the ride in the middle of the less aggressive group, which for me was a huge accomplishment. I had a beer with the other riders and got some nice comments and encouragement.
Forgive the rantings of a newbie, but considering that just a few months ago I started out huffing and puffing through a 5-mile trip around town, I'm rather happy about how the summer is turning out. This ride added a lot to my motivation to lose my last 30 pounds (I'm 50 down already) over the winter and look for a road bike in the spring.