When I started cycling I had a temp number.....meaning I had to start at the back, that was very comfy because no big bunches and it let you get use to the environment where you are surround by cyclists. Few months later I got get a better seeding and I am getting use to the cyclists around me and forming "small" bunches of 3 to 8 guys riding together. I use to screw up there in the beginning because I had no idea of how to ride in a "bunch". Those old toppies shouted at me if I was going to hard, screwing up the pace line or swerving "out of line". I have learned from them and mastered the basics of keeping my line and be a bit more steady in the bike BUT with still a lot to learn. ANOTHER FEW MONTHS went by and my seeding went up a bit.....now I was with the big boyz, around the seeded H bunch. To ride in a big bunch was a bit scary because I was not use to ride in a bunch of 30 - 40 riders. A bit nervous so I ride a bit more "aware" leaving more space than usual between myself and other cyclists, causing me to yo-yo more when the speed of the bunch go faster or slower, my hands was always on the brakes(a big no no) and brake suddenly when I see a wheel approaching to fast causing other guys to tell me to be m,ore careful. These guys in the lower bunches was a bit more tolerant because they not too competitive and warned me or the odd shouting that I am gonna cause an accident. As I got use to riding with the big boyz in the lower big bunches my skill got more up to it. This means I felt more comfy with more riders around me, keeping a better line because I am aware that there is actually rides behind me, riding a bit closer to a rider and not leaving a gap(by leaving a small gap a riders always move into that gap to get better slip). Seeding got better so move up another few bunches, NOW I AM NERVOUS!!! F bunch, these guys go quick and they lot more serious. My skills has developed A LOT since I started and feel that I can handle the bunch riding and have the skill to ride with them. I hanged on because I was not use to the quicker pace these guys were going. I was not looking behind me, swerving when ever I feel like it, hold a similar pace than the bunch and not break dead still every time someone in front slows down or when I actually went in front I went through smoothly to keep the pace up. I really started to enjoy the cycling thing because I feel comfy and learned to ride. To put all this in a nutshell....I had to start RIIIIIIIGHT at the back working my way up to the better bunches, you get seeded better as you improve and also your ability to ride with the group you are suppose to. It took me almost 2 years to get in to high seeded bunches!!!! Imagine I could just ride in th elite bunch from the day I started, CHAOS!!!!. Never underestimate how much you can learn by starting with the lower bunches. Those riders do tolerate a bit more than the Elite riders because they know or can see if you still new in the sport. AuctionLamb2009-02-23 02:38:19
