A lot will depend on how hilly the course is that you will be riding. As noted in an earlier post, when ridIng in group in a straight line, the ride is a lot easier. I would guesstimate it is worth 2-3 mph.
The problems develop when it is your turn to lead. As the ride progresses, each person takes a turn at the front and then peels off to the back of the line. At some point it is your turn. I found that my pulse rate climbs 20-25 beats higher in the front then when drafting. Don't be fooled by "leading the pack" and doing your share of leading. Limit your "pull" as they call it when you lead to 20-30 seconds and then drop off to the back of the line. And then don't fall asleep as you drift past the riders in the line, proud that you did your share of a pull. If you are on a faster stretch and riding 18-20 mph (remember 16mph is the 'average') when you get to the back of the line you have to accelerate to get back in line. Put your head down to decrease wind resistance and jump behind the last person. I can remember times riding for all I was worth to get back in line. This will only last for 20 seconds or so -then your pulse comes down and you find the slipstream of the line. But if you fall off you are in no man's land and will only catch up if the line slows down to let you or the life saving stoplight.
What to enjoy? The feeling of speed in a straight with a very smooth flowing feeling; eating while you ride - bring a gel or bar; drinking without all over you (no gatorade - too much sugar); and the adrenaline rush of leading. You get to see roads miles away from home that you never see on a run.
Issues - you are on back wheel of the person in front of you. Utilize hand signals to the person behind you when slowing. Be verbal but don't be surprised if the person behind you does not hear you as you are talking into a wind. When you come up to an inatersection and a car is stopped waiting for you to pass - watch the hub caps of the car and not the driver to see if the car is moving forward and you have to slam on the brakes.
Things to bring/buy- biking gloves. Your hands do get sore leaning on the handlebars. Water bottle; I will always bring two if my bike has two holders. Helmet-mandatory or don't ride. AND! You have to fill up your tires to the correct pressure. Riding even 5 lbs under will cause you to work harder. If you have some oil put it on your chain. I know being over the top here but sunglasses are important - a bug in the eye ends your ride.
My guess is that you have clips on your bike pedal to wear your racing flats and put your feet in and not biking shoes that do not use pedals. This will alert all that you are new to the sport and ok, but verbally tellling everyone is also a must.
After the ride - yes you can run 5:00 pace per mile for a 5k, but riding uses different muscles. Expect to have extremely sore quad muscles after the ride and taking steps 1 at a time.
Show up on time. If hot, see how you can bring more water. 80 degrees or warmer is not a bike and deceiving. Even though the wind is cooling your body you do not see your body sweating; and have no guideline to drinking.
Two years ago I rode with coach Dave Waldorf of Wheaton college and 3 others. Dave led the entire ride and we would average 23.8-24.4 mph for 40 miles. I only had to sit at the back. Going down decline you could stop pedaling and enjoy the ride and riding fast. Going up s small incline I would stick on the wheel in front of me, reduce my air resistances, paying attention to when the pace slowed, and ride hard. Pulse would sky. Riding with Nancy Swider-Pelz (5 time speed skating Olympian older than me) and her 20 something daughter (also speed skating was all business and intense. But great fun. Fun....the kind that you think about the ride multiple times during the day.
And to be a major troll and other words that are used for bragging - thx for saying you were a 16m 5k runner. It helped everyone on this post know what kind of shape you are in and thus, how hard the ride will be for you. If you were a 21m 5k runner this would be a hard ride.
Js
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