Ignoring the 80/20 rule with Group Rides

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Yesterday I rode with Group 2 rather than Group 1 with TDC. I believe I could keep up for a second time. I also believe that when you’re cycling hard three times a week it takes a lot of energy.My experience last Saturday showed that I was pushing myself too hard by riding by cyclists stronger than me three times in a week, especially after riding close to my max on Wednesday, Thursday and then Sunday.

I noticed that I am now two to three kilos lighter than I was in winter. I see this as being because of how hard I have been cycling recently. Two days ago I signed up for a long ride but changed my mind when I saw that the group was full. I liked the idea of a long ride in a small group. I don’t like the idea of a long ride in a bigger group because I know the group will push hard.

Yesterday I pushed hard and got twenty nine achievements. I sprinted on climbs where I loved to sprint when I was riding solo years ago. It’s by doing this that I blew myself out for the final climb that was endurance rather than a sprint. I miscalculated the effort I would have to put out.

If I had not sprinted on these climbs I would have been fresh for that final extended climb at the end. If I read the course, and remembered it properly then I would have held back.

Last week I only mildy overdid it and this week I am taking it too easy according to Strava. According to Garmin today I should rest. Wednesday Morning and Thursday evening I pushed myself.

Tomorrow I plan to go for a relaxed 55 kilometre ride with Bike Club Switzerland but I will cycle 22km into Geneva, and then the same distance back out. I expect that I will get another metric century ride. If I was to join the relaxed long ride I expect that the group would be fast, and if I join the moderate ride I expect I would need to ride hard for over ninety kilometres. I am not used to riding long distances yet so to do that ride would be to be pushed by others, rather than to push myself.

Last time I cycled back from Geneva along the lake I felt fine. I hope to repeat that experience tomorrow, although I think I will go up for the ride home.

And Finally

The short relaxed ride should be along roads I am not familiar with and it should be at a comfortable pace. It is flatter. I expect the ride to be pleasant. By going for an easier group I tried to apply the 80/20 rule.