by Andrew G » Mon Feb 11, 2008 12:18 pm
[quote="Snoop"]On the club run the tried and tested method seems to be just go up a group and hang on as long as you can, safe in the knowledge there's a bunch behind you to pick you up and carry you along.
In theory you can do the same on a reliability ride if you start with an early (first) group out on t'road. There is the danger of being stranded between two groups as the one behind never catches you but often there'll be some fast chaps charging through the field so you can try and jump on their train as they pass, having had a recovery since you were dropped off the back of the last group.
You might get dropped again but you can normally have get a good tow for a few miles if you just sit on the back. Let them know your just hitching a lift though or they may want you to start taking turns and get miffed when they have to close a gap they thought you were going to fill.
Like Snoop says I don't think there's a right answer as it will depend on what suits your body more. I was struggling ust to stay with the group early on yesterday until my legs woke up.
For what it's worth I tend to start out steady and then wind it up towards the end often burying myself on the flat and drag sections for the last 10 miles or so, but then this fits in with my legs which take a good few miles to get going.
You seem to suffer quite a lot with cramp which may be more the cause than any problem with the way your riding these things. Fortunately I don't seem to suffer from it but similar sufferers might be able to give you some tips on staving off the dreaded twinges.