Group Rides Will Make You FASTER

[@MitchBoyer]

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[@mattkennedy1203]

I was a big time group rider before Covid but slowly stopped cycling over the last couple years. I just got back into riding and did my first group ride back a couple days ago. The climbs were great, and I liked the idea of proving yourself made it really motivating.

[@MitchBoyer]

I was surprised by how much it motivated me. Never thought I was that competitive haha

[@bagreene6710]

I’ve ridden Griffith Park hundreds of times. Last week I went early on a Wednesday and was descending Mount Hollywood drive, which has many blind hairpin turns. I stuck to the right side of the road and was met by the pony ride coming in the opposite direction. But they were cutting every blind corner as if they owned the road, and came directly at me. There were over 50 riders. At every blind corner there was a near head on crash with them. So focused on “winning” their “race”, they didn’t even look up to see me coming directly at them. I was called an “a hole” at least 5 times. I love group rides as much as the next guy, but this group seems to have no leader and no rules. They are a dangerous bunch. It would be quite possible for them to have a competitive ride, by sticking to the right side of the road and avoiding on coming cyclists and park vehicles, but they don’t. I had considered joining this ride in the past, but, after this experience, never. I just hope none of the Pony riders cause injury to anyone. But they do give us cyclists a bad image. Rant over. Mitch, I have enjoyed your videos since the Inkjet printing days :) ❤😅

[@Jaxonhill1818]

Awesome video! So nice to see you with sponsors, it’s well deserved! You convinced me to go with BMC when upgrading over my 12 year old bike. Ever since I’ve upgraded, I’ve been able to keep up with our faster pace group in my local group rides! Group rides help me make friends and keeps me disciplined to keep showing up and riding!

[@MitchBoyer]

Thanks Jaxon! Glad to hear you’re enjoying your BMC too 🎉

[@danieltull3622]

This is exactly what i needed to hear. I solo cycled for years and i just joined a group ride this year. I learn so much, can push myself harder while riding solo and you watch and try to replicate fast people. Its really good

[@BrotherMichigan]

Group rides are the best. Beyond the potential performance benefits, it's just nice to share an activity you enjoy with others, and there's always something you can learn.

[@MitchBoyer]

Really good point. Plus you can see at the new kit you didn’t know you wanted

[@coffeytnmilk]

Mitch - love the channel. Super interesting and fun

[@dexmcluskey4832]

Personally never understood the “my capacity to suffer went up” mentality. Does not compute. Cycling is a pastime that I enjoy. Never hear soccer players, pickup hoops players, golfers etc talking about how much they suffer during a game. I just ride to enjoy it but I get that others want to keep getting faster, stronger. no KOMs in this old dude. Good video! 👍

[@MitchBoyer]

I think both types of riding are totally valid. A nice ride to explore a new area or just feel the wind on my face is great too. Not sure how other people feel but I think my sufferfest-ishness comes from a desire to see what I’m made of… and maybe a little bit of insecurity haha

[@Cfc4720]

Great video! I personally fall on the other side. I feel group riding actually over time makes me slower. The constant need to race each other and always go “hard” mentality really leads to tough plateaus. 80% of my riding is zone 2 and always focus on keeping steady constant pressure, something most group rides lack. I can’t count how many time a group ride has been advertised as “steady” “zone 2” yet as one of the strongest there I am repeatedly pushing Vo2 numbers up every little riser etc…

[@winstonsmith8236]

Just did my first imperial century around beautiful Fall colored coastal Maine after the group ride (my 2nd ever) got me through my first 55 mi. NO WAY my legs would have felt so fresh after 55 mi riding solo. Today was the first day after the 3 day manhunt for the mass shooter that took 18 lives in Lewiston, ME Wednesday. The group ride really showcased the hospitality, strength and beauty of both the people and land of Maine.

[@MitchBoyer]

Congrats on your first imperial century. Maine is really beautiful this time of year!

[@rebmoe]

sick edits Mitch

[@MitchBoyer]

Thanks man!

[@perfectzero84]

I would love to find an introvert group ride. All of the cycling benefits and none of the awkward social interaction.

[@DavidF000]

Sounds like it would be extra awkward

[@perfectzero84]

@@DavidF000 #1 rule of introvert cycling club…we don’t talk. #2 rule of introvert cycling club…we don’t talk.

[@MitchBoyer]

So… basically a normal group ride for me 😅

[@MitchBoyer]

Lolol love it

[@narakdk]

Theoretically, those groups does not exist : )

[@pr33tu_]

I started riding alone on a hybrid bike and only got a road bike when I felt like I was maxing out the bike. Following my road bike acquisition, I went on a few group rides only to find out I was much faster than all of them. I find people in group rides draft and take rest too much. Since I ride alone I always give an effort, always spinning, no rest. I'm happy I went this route, I know for sure my fitness would not be as good if I had chosen the group ride life. I push myself all the time, it helps to have a bike computer so you can compare your times live.

[@elefantrising]

I have a similar experience I rode alone for years and I would ride 50-70m without stoping in gravel all conditions with an Al bike. I started riding with a group not long ago and I think I can pull way more and longer then most. I enjoy the group but always train alone def the reason I believe you are faster

[@MitchBoyer]

Nothing better than learning you’re stronger than you thought!

[@dperreno]

Every group is different. I prefer the groups I ride with for just those reasons (I can draft and coast a bit), but I've also ridden with groups that started strong and never let up. I lasted about 5 miles and then bonked. So I would just say to look around for a faster group - they are definitely out there!

[@PuneethBedre]

Looks like groups rides require a certain type of mindset (as the rider), people you are riding with and the terrain you will be riding on. I personally do not like it. Mainly because I am perhaps at the lowest point of my physical fitness. As such, getting dropped is just the way of life. And I get dropped way too much. The feeling isn’t great so I’ve decided to sit back and focus on improving so that I am no longer a disappointment to myself. Haha Also, I’m heavy at a little over 92kg. And in line with what I’ve said earlier, I need to train to get stronger and perhaps also look at what I eat to shed some weight so that I can be a little more feather light for climbs. I say this because I have a good fighting chance of keeping up with the peloton if riding in the flats, I have absolutely no chance when it comes to climbs. There are no rides I know of where climbs simply don’t exist. This means getting drops is inevitable. I’m summary- groups rides- until next time.

[@_cpdchua]

Amazing video! As an introvert addicted to a very social sport, I can relate to this dilemma hahahaha. I love cycling but group rides is kinda intimidating.

[@YoutubeAnthony]

Great video. So easy to watch and process this information. Thanks and def left us looking forward to the next one. Your YouTubing FTP just broke 400 with this one!

[@MitchBoyer]

Haha, thanks dude!

[@bsbbernal]

STRONG VIDEO ESSAYIST ENERGY ONCE AGAIN, MITCH!!! LETS GO!!!

[@MitchBoyer]

Haha thanks dude! 🙏

[@Dominickanddad]

Great video pal I love Ponies haven’t been in a while but coming back soon🤙

[@MitchBoyer]

See you there dude!

[@DaveCM]

I got to my best fitness level in a long time by going on rides with a local team. They are all faster than me. A few of them are insanely fast. One was even a US continental pro until the team folded during Covid. Anyway, riding with them definitely helped me get faster.

[@MW-ud8zp]

You made me want to participate in a group ride

[@MitchBoyer]

🙌🙌

[@imilic8]

That 90's-ish intro with Comis Sans at the beginning 😄😻

[@drill_fiend1097]

At certain size of the group and traffic, it might be good idea to have a SAG car behind to escort the group. You never know a texting teenager or a distracted trucker who's having a bad day might come from behind.

[@AlistairLattimore]

Solid effort Mitch!

[@MitchBoyer]

Thanks Alistair!

[@LarsPetterLarsen]

Inspirational and I can totally relate! Keep it going!

[@MitchBoyer]

Thank you! Will do!

[@gabkoost]

Besides all the motivation from wanting to follow other people and not having moments of coasting and relaxation, adrenaline is a hell of a natural drug. Actually competing against people gives you a massive physical boost over riding by yourself.

[@christophersalvador8380]

you capitalizing on being introverted is prettttty funny considering i came up to you @ ponies with no warning and said “yo, parasocial relationships are awesome. i’ve watched u stay up all night to build your machine, and you have no idea who i am!” anyway, i’ve more or less the same journey-lone ranger gets significantly stronger after showing up to rides. still a bit socially inept, but somehow keep showing up. cheers!

[@MitchBoyer]

Haha, that was a great intro, though. See you around at Ponies!

[@edinelsonramirez5656]

So happy my racing days are over!

[@__-yq5ij]

Might try this out ! Great video!

[@JibbaJabber]

299W Noice! Bro, don't sweat it, you lost one watt on the tash!

[@MitchBoyer]

Haha thanks bro

[@JibbaJabber]

@@MitchBoyer Love the vid!!

[@randydionisio16]

Hey man can you try to bike in black wall in the philippines i think its 30 plus i wanna see you try that

[@JamesBriano]

Look at all those Fat Cake riders at 03:27 ! 98% of my rides are solo--it's all about that time alone to clear my head--and I've gone on two group rides with FCC. (Turned into solo rides for me as soon as we hit the hills, but that's another story)

[@selfactualizer2099]

video starts at 2:45

[@v9107]

solid video

[@Mysiamesecatblue]

I’ll be there next week I think 🤞

[@outdoorbros_]

I was about to ask how much you bench… Awesome video. I’m going to join you guys one of these days.

[@MitchBoyer]

I bench 225.... grams 💪 Lemme know when you head up this way!

[@victordub]

Im in DTLA... when are these rides?

[@MitchBoyer]

Wednesdays at 6:30am we meet at the Griffith Park & Southern Railroad parking lot (used to the petting zoo, I believe)

[@douglasjam]

C'mon where is the double like button, good job and enjoyable content, thanks!

[@hms350]

The group rides for me have hidden spiritual powers that are hard to explain to civilians. You tapped into it a bit here, thanks.

[@MitchBoyer]

Haha I guess they are magic 🪄

[@n8torious309]

Group rides do not build fitness anywhere near like solo rides. That is an objective fact measurable by time in power zones: look at how much effort is in zone 1 on a "zone 2" group ride versus a true zone 2 ride where you are spending 90% of time in zone 2. The people that compete around me that struggle the most with gaining fitness are the dudes that do the same group ride week to week, getting towed behind others, when they could be out doing structured workouts or riding solo and actually putting in effort. If you're drafting, you're definitely not gaining fitness and are more likely to be stagnating or losing fitness from copping out of real work.

[@MitchBoyer]

Ryan has a great video the RCA channel going into detail on how to incorporate group rides into training, when to add them and when to dial them back. They’re definitely not as efficient as solo rides can be, but they do have their own benefits. I train solo 4-5 days of the week, and now group rides give me an opportunity to see what my training is doing for my fitness.

[@marcusdenil9286]

3:10 i do like people, I am a people😂

[@MitchBoyer]

😂🫡

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

Thought pony tails were an aerodynamic issue on high end group rides?

[@Mysiamesecatblue]

If a group ride starts more than 20 minutes away (bike distance) it’s debatable lol

[@johngammon2471]

Without a doubt this puts into words what one not so savvy bicyclist cannot convey to others @ riding in groups, as well as safety in numbers! #crushms

[@boxofspace]

See you on the next Ponies ride! I'm the dude the bright green Cannondale super six :D

[@MitchBoyer]

See ya there!

[@MyLouTube]

Great video! Group rides with people stronger than you are sooo good for increasing your fitness. As long as they aren’t too much stronger or it’s soul destroying as you get droppppped! I find the time goes so much quicker on group rides than by myself too! ❤

[@ECTproCycling]

Looks like you did ObiObi while in Queensland... but did you do Postman's Track??? ;)

[@MitchBoyer]

Good eye! No I didn’t. Is it worse than Obi Obi?

[@ECTproCycling]

it is a fair bit worse yes @@MitchBoyer . Let us know if you are back over in AUS and we'll plan a visit to the nasty Postman :)

[@DanTuber]

Most introverts i know don't create youtube channels and put themself on camera.

[@MitchBoyer]

It’s a weird paradox, but I know several KZbinrs that are extremely introverted. I think one reason is because we still want to connect, and making a video is a way to do that without leaving the house 😅😂

[@DanTuber]

​@@MitchBoyer I never thought you were intro. Infact never gave it much thought.

[@MitchBoyer]

@@DanTubersurprise! haha

[@LittleBU96]

Yo should try a crit!!

[@MitchBoyer]

My collarbones are afraid lol

[@wertyboy8704]

​@@MitchBoyer😂😂

[@DontGetDroppedCycling]

GROUP RIDES 4 LIFEEEEEEEEE

[@MitchBoyer]

🤘🤘🤘

[@jpprovost64]

Do you know Rowan Barret ! go see is strava KOM all around the word ... i know him he live in my area montreal Canada

[@PatrickLino]

Lets goooooo!

[@MitchBoyer]

🙌 🙌 🙌

[@jpprovost64]

Rowan Barrett | Cannondale Échelon p/b 4iiii

[@industryrule-4080]

Pandas Ponies is probably not the group ride for anyone with an FTP less than 3w/kg.

[@MitchBoyer]

I just try to keep up with the front group 😜 but there are a bunch of different groups with different pace and we all meet up at the coffee shop after! There's also a "Lazy Ponies" ride later in the day that I wanna try sometime.

[@_SpaceDad]

I'm an introvert, I don't like people, and I have nothing to prove. Now what? 😅

[@MitchBoyer]

You can live in peace 😂

[@Mysiamesecatblue]

Is it the group ride or is it the riding up the hills lol

[@SabianDB02]

Great video, but FTP is important for beginners, the most important metrics is your avg watts per kg.

[@MitchBoyer]

Both matter! They can each help for training and pacing.

[@SabianDB02]

Facts , they go hand in hand. Keep the content rolling

[@MitchBoyer]

@@SabianDB02 thanks dude, will do!

[@lost6938]

Riding with someone is fun

[@aquicktake]

I credit my weekend group rides for helping me improve. But, socially they are pure CRAP. I think that there are less than 10 words said amongst the lot of 30 guys each ride. In the year I've been going I think I have less than a handful of "hellos" or "good mornings" etc. There are far too many egos, attitudes, thou is greater than you personalities on local bike shop group rides IMO.

[@MitchBoyer]

Ah man that's a bummer to hear. I feel really lucky with the group ride crew I found.

[@narakdk]

299 is still 50% more than me : ) but alright, I not doing group rides either.

[@MitchBoyer]

You’ll be at 550w if you do a group ride 😉

[@diegoeleazar9154]

Watch out for bad ones.. just stay with the one who follows cycling etiquette..

[@hcw199]

A lot of yr extra speed is through drafting though... So its not exactly accurate and a way to cheat a high FTP.

[@MitchBoyer]

Watts are watts, doesn’t matter if you’re drafting or not, you can’t cheat a power meter (as long as it’s calibrated and you’re using it properly). You’re right about speed tho, drafting will make you faster ✌️

[@cjordanva]

I am a people 😀

[@garysladek9110]

Need this T shirt.😮.

[@MitchBoyer]

🙌

[@Mysiamesecatblue]

I do ride with someone faster so sucks for him. Jk. Shoutout to him for riding slower with me lol

[@felicetanka]

Contagion is a thing.

[@MitchBoyer]

I caught the bug 😅

[@the_derpler]

I'm too introverted and fat for a group ride. They literally meet right outside my front door. But I see all those fat cake people and feel intimidated lol.

[@MitchBoyer]

The secret best part I didn't show is all the coffee and donuts we eat at the end of the ride. 🤫

[@woolfel]

ftp efforts suck and they are brutal. I'd call 299 300, since it's only 1 watt. The taste of blood in your mouth more than makes up for that 1watt

[@MitchBoyer]

Haha thanks dude 🙌

[@AlxPrevost]

Ebbie!

[@MitchBoyer]

Looking too cool in that shot--had to include it.

[@Mysiamesecatblue]

I know you ride harder than me But sounds a little goob lol

[@reidflemingworldstoughestm1394]

No no, not 'wanker', it's wankah.

[@Littleweenaman]

I prefer poop rides

[@MitchBoyer]

This is humor I can get behind 😂

[@Thomas-fy9yc]

So group rides mostly benefit those with fragile egos that can’t handle being dropped because they measure their worth by comparing themselves to others and their fitness.

[@MitchBoyer]

Sounds like me! But they’re also good for normal people who just wanna make new friends :)