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[Matthew_T]

When riding in groups with my local cycling club, I often find that I get sudden boosts of energy.

The energy allows me to overtake all the riders infront of me but does not allow me to maintain it for long. I often become quite tired after the surge but carry on riding.

I dont know how it make the riders around me feel but I just get it at random parts of riding. Either on the flat, or up hill.

Just wondering if it is normal to feel these surges, and if there is a technique used to counteract them getting you out of the seat and powering away?

 

[gmac190]

I've only had limited experience of riding in groups and I'm sure if there will be others out there with vast experience but here are my thoughts.

I am guessing the sudden bursts of energy are coming about because you are saving a whole heap of energy whilst in the group. You could easily get the impression that you have all this energy but in reality it's the drafting that gives this sensation.

When you go for it the reason you can't maintain it for long is that you are bearing the brunt of any head wind etc and you will quickly tire out.

My suggestion would be that if you feel the need to burst away then go to the front of the group and pace the other riders at a pace every one is happy with. You will get a lot more out the ride if the group work as a group and not as an individual within a group.

You could always use up your energy on a steep hill and then wait for the rest to join you.

 

[HLaB]

When riding in a group there's that sling shot effect which feels like a boost and its too easy to shot off the front then a bit later fall of the back The truly good riders seem to be more consistent. I try to shift up when I'm going forward and shift down when being overtaken in a chain but even then I'm no where near as smooth as the more experienced riders.

 

[Matthew_T]

I try to shift up when I'm going forward and shift down when being overtaken in a chain but even then I'm no where near as smooth as the more experienced riders.

Ah, that is when you are in a chain gang though. When in one of those, it normally gets quite confusing because you have riders of different experiences and riders of different speeds.

 

[HLaB]

Ah, that is when you are in a chain gang though. When in one of those, it normally gets quite confusing because you have riders of different experiences and riders of different speeds.

To a lesser degree you get the same with any sort of group riding like gmac describes above and again the tactic I haven't mastered 100% is to manage the effort.

 

[edindave]

If you need more of a challenge then stay at the back of the group and try a few repeats of dropping back from them and catching up.

That should soon use up any excess energy!

 

[Matthew_T]

That should soon use up any excess energy!

Probably end up as too much energy!