Based on the pacing article on roadbikerider.com, I was not realistic in my expectations!
If I was regularly knocking out rides at 15 smiles per hour then what I attempted Monday for Memorial Day with AFCT would have made sense.
Three rides at 15 MPH does not make it a done deal or regular! Most of my most recent rides were at 13 miles per hour! 13 or 14 would have been more logical!
As it was, heading out at 16 smiles per hour was in the heat of the moment. But no one wants to be relegated to group C but my ability should have led me there!
I burned way too many matches early even though it didn't seem like it! So then on the way back when faced with a fierce wind I was not able to hang on to anyone's wheel until it was do or die!
Finally, I was able to avoid a slog to the end by latching on to the guy that had stopped with what looked like a nechanical. He was coming at pace and I did something smart, put it in a big gear and did my best to haul ass to the end!
I did not have the 16/17 pace of the ladies, nor did I have the 18 that great group of friends was able to muster despite them saying they did no such thing!
One has to save energy/speed for the end, one has to be realistic about their pace capabilities, and one has to pick the appropriate speed and concentrate on enjoying the ride.
Less people means less groups to latch on to to fulfill what you believe to be the best option for your abilities! Barreling through the wind worked at one point but it was short lived, perhaps fueling played a factor, but honestly I don't know. It was only 40 smiles! Less people and less miles on which to practice!