20 mph (Page 2)

I really think that if you are at 18.6 on a solo you could definetly ride 20 in a group.  You also have to think that you 18.6 is an average over the entire duration including slowing for stop signs, lights traffic.  The 20mph group is probubly riding 20 mph pace while spinning.  I would say your 18.6 was very close to that. 

I say go for it.

Agreed 110%...this is where it will get hard...if they undulate and surge you will be yo-yo'ed out the back...if you want to try and keep up try staying in the front 1/3 of the group...when its your turn to pull do so and if they are an experienced group they will let you back in that front third to hold on to you if they see you in any difficulty...DO NOT let a gap open up with you in that front third because you screw up everyone behind you...they now have to close the gap down...if you feel a slight push on your seat its probably the guy behind getting you back up...it happens

Also it was mentioned above for you to ride as close as possible to the wheel in front of you...the wind coming across determines where you "hide" behind the other rider...I would suggest that if you do not have alot of pack riding time (which you said you didn't I believe) that you NEVER put yourself between the riders wheel in front of you and the edge of the road...ALWAYS stay to the outside of his wheel to give yourself an out should something come up...sometimes you fight a little more wind but its really nice knowing you have the whole road over there vs a wee little strip...

Group riding is an artform and groups usually come together from riding with folks with similar riding styles...drafting requires absolute trust from the person in front and behind you...if you see someone riding wobbly or they tend to "slide" left and right...go one more person up or one back...you want to be behind someone rock solid...the wiggle sometimes comes from a weaker rider pushing himself and they also tend to surge more instead of being smooth...

Definately go do it though...but I tend to think from what you mentioned that they will AVERAGE 20...so you will ride closer to 22/23...but thats doable in a pack...good luck and have fun

Depends on the course for sure. Riding in a pack can be amazing though both from the perspective of the energy (more mental) as well as the ability to draft (physical). I've done some very fast rides in a group. Most triathletes train alone and obviously race alone but it's fun to go on group rides.

I've also found that the 20+ crowd doesn't always ride 20+. They'll ride a lot of 17-25 stuff. Easy to get dropped on the hills.

18mph solo >> 20mph group.

If the group actually stays at 20mph avg, you'll have no problem whatsoever.

However, if they go faster in key segments (VERY common), it'll be tough. We have a group ride here that averages only 20-21mph total over 60 miles, but for about 4 segments of 5 miles in there, the group will ratchet up the pace to 26+ mph on the flats, and then slow down like crazy after the weaker guys are dropped. 

Well... to average 20MPH in NH you will need to go 24-26MPH on the flats. When we used to live in FL (SW), you could pretty much start at 20MPH and just stay there for an avg. of 20MPH...

Go for it. I only do a few group rides a year, but they are always fun. There will be bursts of speed to contend with, but the draft allows you to stay with a faster group.

Dang, that's pretty harsh.  ;-)

~Mike

This ^^^^^

My experience is when someone is new to a group ride they tend to not get close enough to the wheel in front of them, causing them to work harder than the others in the group and then when a surge hits, which happens a lot in the group rides I do, and the rider needs to pick the pace up significantly they are unable to.

Saying that I would still do the group ride. The worst that happens is you work hard and get dropped. Do group rides long enough and it will happen.

Especially when they are overheard saying "we need to POOP the slower guys off the pack"

I was watching a download of the 2004 TdF and one of the trivia questions was about how much you save in a paceline (This was the TTT stage), and they claimed 40% savings "When you're behind your mates" as Phil said. :D

John

Riding solo and in a pack are two different worlds.  You will easily be able to ride at 20 in a pack if you are riding 18 solo.

Have fun and ride with the group.  You are probably faster than most of them is the group.