Every long distance rider should experience one of these. Riding a 400k in a group of 16 with well defined speeds, eat and rest times is a lesson in patience for those of us who just want to "get 'er done" and a lesson in how to do a long ride without blowing up, for those who haven't done one before. There would be fewer DNFs on PBP, if people understood that you don't have to be fast, to complete.
We started promptly at 8am and finished at 7:05 am, admittedly 5 minutes off schedule. Against the time limit of 27 hours, we were in great shape, with lots of room to maneuver.
The newbie rider thinks that they have to be fast to complete these rides. Not so. With an average rolling speed of 14.5 mpg, according to my device, 1.5 hour stops for lunch and dinner, 20 minute stops at regular replenishment locations, no one was really stressed. It was hot during the day and cool at night. No one ever had to worry about the distance to the next control point, the arrival time was already set.
Captains took turns at the front. With the moderate speed, even being a captain wasn't stressful and those stretches were typically 25 miles, give or take. Are you really "pulling" at 14 mph ? Not much. Are you really drafting, at 14 mph ? - yes, actually. It did make a difference.
When was the last time that I was in a pace line for 23 hours ? Never. The leisurely pace, however, made it seem more Just Riding Around, than being in a pace line. Realistically, it wasn't a pace line. No one was close drafting or maintaining a set position. Chit chat, wander around and reposition yourself in the group, I was even able to get something done - organizing some of the Sunshine 1200k volunteer support, since some of us on the 400k will be there in May.
This is Florida. It would have been harder work with more hills. Heck, it would have been harder work with bad weather ... but riding in a group would still make it easier.
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