Pros and Cons Of Group Rides For My Training
Dear Coach: Are group rides good for my training?" Let’s look at the pros and cons of group rides and when it's best to do your own thing.
As long as I can remember I’ve been doing group rides as part of my training on the bike. I’m a social person and riding with friends is one of my all time favorite activities. I have been on group rides of all different kinds all over the world and all over the USA. Each one has its own dynamic and own personality.
I’m asked on a regular basis, “ When are group rides good for me, if ever, and what do I have to gain or lose by doing them?”
Some key things to consider when deciding if and when a group ride might benefit your training.
Is it a safe group?
What are you training for specifically?
How hard and fast is the group you are headed to ride with?
Are your skills in line with the level of group ride?
From a training perspective group rides can provide motivation and push you to an intensity level you might not have achieved on your own. Some athletes achieve huge breakthroughs during group rides physically and mentally. The question becomes, “Is this appropriate for what you need right now?”
For example, I live in Tucson Arizona. The group rides here are at a very elite level. The riders are fast, strong, and can handle their bikes very well. For me, if I choose to go on a group ride it is likely to be the same level of intensity as a top tier women’s professional road race. I need to be very fit and very focused to be on this ride. That serves a great purpose if I’m preparing for an event or need a race simulation effort. I can achieve a total of 3 to 4hours of riding as a high intensity race simulation.
On the flip side, if I’m not fit and I choose to go on this ride I might go to max effort for 3 to 5minutes, end up exploding, then drop off the back, finishing the ride duration very very easy trying to recover from blowing up. The total number of work minutes that is quality for improvement is now compromised. In that case I’d be better off to go on my own and get a good solid ride in which the total interval ride work minutes are enough to see the desired training effect. 5min at max effort into 3hours of groveling along at a recovery effort isn’t as successful and riding 3 to 4hours and achieving a total of 2hours worth of broken interval work that is geared to helping you improve.
If you are one of the strongest riders in the group you can choose the level intensity for you and that can provide an opportunity to practice tactics while achieving the intensity level that is right for you that day. If you need to work hard and you are the stronger rider in that group you can lift the effort to where you want it to be and have the motivation of others to help you along and work tactics. Or if you don’t need that level of intensity you can sit in the group and get some good speed without over stressing the level of intensity. In this example it's key you are one of the strongest riders of your chosen group.
Group rides are fun, they can become a great part of your training plan when the time is right. Do your research before heading out on the group ride so that you get the most out of the day and enjoy the dynamic of cycling with others.
Cheers,
Marilyn Chychota