Whelp, I survived my first (and longest) group ride

[katinthehat]

So some friends and friends of friends met up at my house this morning and we rode to the start line.  It was organized and smooth and without much delay, we were off. 

The course was stupid.  I mean, stupid.  Busy roads with construction that weren't closed to traffic.  And there were a lot of traffic cops but they weren't consistent with when they would let you run red lights or not, so it was weird.

We're fairly certain a cyclist died.  There was this bridge and he was at the top, stripped naked, with the paddles on his chest.  I looked over just in time to see them shock him.  It was pretty awful. And by the time we got to the scene, we'd been hearing sirens for a while, so I don't think it was a good outcome.

Some dipshit ride marshall was up there telling us all to get off our bikes and walk them over the bridge and saying "Well, it's good you're walking anyway because every one is climbing (HAHA!) in the wrong gear.  You're all in your big chain ring and should be in your small."

My friend and I looked at him and to his face called him an asshole.

The course was just really crowded up until the first rest stop.  I was stuck for a while behind a lady with wicker baskets on her cruiser.  The four of us were separated at that point but after the first stop, grouped back up together.

Miles 10-22 were better.  Just lots of stop and go, some policed intersections, some not.  Lots and lots of people with flats and mechanicals.

The rest stop was fine and the ride back was a lot better and a good 40 minutes faster.  I inadverntly dropped my friends because I got the front of a light and they were in the back and got stuck behind a crash.

But I rode the last 8 miles with a girl I just started chatting with who lives in my hood and we finished together, exchaning emails to meet up to ride again later, so that was a great way to end it.

It sucked and I wouldn't do it again, but I'm glad I did it at least this once.  48.5 miles, my farthest ride to date as well, so that was fun.  And I made a new friend, never a bad thing!

Also, I learned that I'm a more skilled cyclist than I think.  Clipping and unclipping and starting from a complete stop don't bother me any more. I think I saw five people just spontaneously fall over while at stops.  I also learned people just out for joy rides on their bikes annoy me.  I need focus and competition to be happy apparently

[zoidberg]

Wow, that is...wow. I'm glad you had a decent ride, but man, I would have been really freaked out seeing someone who probably passed away. How awful. I guess that kind of takes the wind out of your sails a bit.

[kams]

Holy hell Kat.

I was hoping to hear a very different report from you. I am thankful that you took some positives away from it, but it sounds like logistics were a mess, and I'm terribly sorry to hear about the cyclist receiving medical attention. T&Ps that he is ok.

[katinthehat]

I think that this is really promoted as a big, city wide, hey, let's all ride our bikes kind of thing, but jeezuspete people, just ride the 20. If that! Don't push it for the 45 or 70.

[kams]

Was it the Tour de Houston?

If so, I just read that that rider did pass away due to a medical emergency, not a collision. How heartbreaking.

[amesmarie]

Wow that was a rough ride. Ive done a number of rides and have never come across that many issues. I have discovered anything promoted as a fun ride can be annoying for those even slightly more serious riders. I just stay away from those. That really is so very sad about the one rider.

[sadlebred]

Sounds like a pretty typical urban-type bike tour. Unfortunately, it's rare to have closed roads for centuries/fun rides. 99.9% of the time they are open to traffic. (It's not like a marathon/5K/run.) It takes some getting used to. Of course, it's easier when the ride is held in a rural area! Sounds like it was not very well organized. Was this their first year doing it? Sorry that you didn't have a better time! I say find a well established century in a rural area and try it. They can be so much fun!

Poor guy! I've heard of several people dying from medical problems on rides over the years. Very sad.

[katinthehat]

Yes, the guy ended up being pronounced dead on the scene I believe.

This was their 8th year and they had about 5000 riders. I don't really think I expected more of the event, but more of the actual riders on course. From now on, I'll surely stick with country road organized rides or more competitive rides (if I can find them).

@saddlebred give me about six more months and I've threatened Josh with asking for a cyclocross bike for my birthday

[sadlebred]

You NEED a cyclocross bike. You know where to come to advice on that.