I've been on a couple of group rides in CT with a great bunch of guys that meet up through a Tri Club but the rides are more road like. I have been peppering these grp rides into my long ride sessions on Saturdays and so far I have started to see some benefit out of riding with them and doing specific base work. But I agree, I think the grp rides can make one a better cyclist. Typically (at least among roadies) triathletes have a bad rap on their road/pack handling skills.

cheers
S.

Don't ride with a team or club, but I do head out to races as an unattached or jump in on groups if I see them out on the roads. Often times I wind up pulling for a majority of my time in the pack and then get dropped on a 12 second climb, but its definitely less boring of a workout than hammering solo.

I showed up to group rides for 2 weeks before I moved, and it was a nice way to get a workout. Not sure about the whole "roadies don't like triathletes" thing. The ones I've talked to had no problem with people do more than just bike.

There's a few things I don't like, but they aren't that big of a deal. At least I'm out there getting a workout.
- Pointing to all the stuff in a road is a necessary evil, but I'd rather keep my hands on the bars.
- Riding with a spandex covered butt 3' in front of me gets old.
- Once at the end of my first pull, they took off up a hill and dropped me. My HR stayed at 190 while catching back up. Previously my highest HR on a bike was around 175. Probably good for me, but still rude.

clicked quote instead of edit... then posted.

[quote=TryScott]
- Once at the end of my first pull, they took off up a hill and dropped me. My HR stayed at 190 while catching back up. Previously my highest HR on a bike was around 175. Probably good for me, but still rude.[/quote]

It's not really rude, it's just the way these groups ride. I join in for a Wednesday group ride every other week or so (their hardest 30-40 miler). I don't mind pulling, but when I get dropped by the group, I remind myself that it's my third (or maybe fourth) 30+ mile ride in the last week (plus running and swimming) and they won't be putting in that level of effort again for another 7 days. My satisfaction comes when I pull (basically lead) on the big hills, then look back once I crest to find the group spread out over the trailing 90-100 yards. They usually catch up on the back side descent, but at least I've earned my keep.

I do, and I love it! The group rides I do tend to be a bit out of my league, but I know the loops now and how to short cut them once I'm dropped and get back on for the parts I can. A huge benefit in our family is that it is a group that pushes Mike on the bike, so I see those as the days for him to play with friends and I end up on my own. But the group is supportive and great! And it definitely makes me push outside my limits and try things I never would otherwise.

Sometimes they do dumb things at lights/stop signs, because it seems the pack makes them feel like they can (but it still bugs me).

Oh, and I think they hate people who ride on aerobars in a pack, or don't bother to learn the rules of riding in a group. They laugh at us for running after the rides, but definitely don't have a thing against triathletes.

I do a group ride at least once a month. One of the rides I do is out of a Tri shop so there are mostly triathletes in the group. I have never experienced negative attitudes towards triathletes in any group. I would caution showing up with a Tri bike if the group is full of roadies. You will surely get dirty looks and they will purposely drop you.

I always try to hang with the 'A' group as long as I can. This gives me a great workout and pushes me to learn to go faster. If I get dropped I don't mind and I never take it personally.

I got into tri from a roadie background and still ride exclusively with a road team (I keep the USCF license current; the USAT license is a scam). Cat IV is probably as high as I'll ever get, but my group ranges from Cat V to Cat II.

[quote=RunMDC]I would caution showing up with a Tri bike if the group is full of roadies. You will surely get dirty looks and they will purposely drop you.[/quote]

[quote=Star]Mostly because they don't like triathletes too much.[/quote]

Sad but true; not all two wheels (or their riders) are created equal. Hence why I ride a road bike (oh, and I've never been comfortable in an aero position). Not the fit or bike; it's me. But why is that (the attitude, that is)?

[quote=spomeroy]Typically (at least among roadies) triathletes have a bad rap on their road/pack handling skills.[/quote]

and

[quote=kylie]Oh, and I think they hate people who ride on aerobars in a pack, or don't bother to learn the rules of riding in a group.[/quote]

Well said. If you show up at a 'shop ride' or club ride, that's awesome. The more the better. For the first few rides, hang off the back to get a feel for how the group rides (ie, where they attack; which lights you have to make to ensure you don't get dropped; where the best places are to jump the gap or take off); familiarize yourself with the route (ie, get a map if possible because there very well may not be re-groups); learn group riding etiquette (which is generally understood in roadie circles to include pointing out or otherwise subtly noting road hazards); and never, ever ride aero anywhere near anyone else.

[quote=TryScott]Once at the end of my first pull, they took off up a hill and dropped me. Probably good for me, but still rude.[/quote]

Not rude, it's how roadies ride: competitive all the time. If you don't like it, don't get dropped ;) City limit sprints, KOM 'points,' hot spots, no-attack zones, etc. You don't see stuff like that in tri group rides, which (locally, at least) all about re-groups at every right turn.