Group Riding Tips and Safety
Group riding is a stimulating, motivating and productive way to develop as a cyclist. It is also potentially dangerous due to your proximity to other cyclists. This danger is increased as exhaustion sets in and judgment gets altered. To increase our likelihood of getting through a season safely, please consider this list of pointers.
Pacelines
A group will generally form into a paceline. On roads open to motorists, the rider at the front of the line will hold that position for a brief period of time, generally 20-60 seconds, then “roll off” move to the left and drift back to the rear position. This allows the group to maintain a higher speed because only one rider at a time is having to punch through the air. At 18 mph, half of your energy is used just pushing through the wall of air in front of you, at higher speeds the effect is even more pronounced. A rider 6-12” behind another is saving 20% or more of their energy. Beyond 36” there is nil effect. Riding in a paceline is a skill that that must be learned and grown accustomed to. Until you are used to it, an energy draining concentration is required. Of course, some groups are easier to learn from than others, but if you work at it, it can be an exhilarating experience.
- Don’t stare at the wheel ahead of you! Try to gauge your distance by the riders shoulder, this improves your field of view considerably.
- Try not to coast in a paceline. The rider behind you senses an emergency. You should instead apply your brakes as needed but keep your legs moving.
- Don’t use earphones etc. We need to take full advantage of all of our senses.
- Don’t use aerobars in a group or paceline, you need to be closer to your brakes, and in optimum control of your bike.
- Don’t surge when you get to the front, keep speeds even or gradually increase to maintain group integrity. If you are unable to maintain the pace when you get to the front, roll-off promptly.
- Don’t “half-wheel”, overlapping another riders rear wheel will earn you curses in several languages.
- Do point out dangers physically, this is better than calling out warnings.
- Do obey traffic lights and regulations in general. Don’t cut through parking lots….make your progress predictable to drivers.
- Increase your following distance when going uphill, drafting effect is diminished as speed drops and it is very easy to run into a rider who slows even slightly.
Surviving in a group
- Protect your front wheel, don’t let other riders into that zone.
- If you change position in a group, you are responsible to check for a clear way.
- When passing a rider it is a good idea to vocally let them know your position.
- Don’t make abrupt lateral moves, move diagonally forward then proceed as needed.
- Be aware of other road users, we do share the road you know. Don’t obstruct roadways unnecessarily, get in single file as appropriate.
Increase your awareness of your surroundings. Get the big picture, this improves your safety.
These are points that should be helpful to review by any rider. These are not laws and won’t be practiced by all riders in all locations. Certain situations will call for adjustments in practice. If you are new to group riding you should emulate the riders you feel comfortable around.
Now get out there and ride. Have fun and good luck.
