Group Ride
Riding in a group can be intimidating, but the rewards are far better than riding solo. In a group, you ride faster, stronger and have others to share your effort with.
However, there are some etiquette fundamentals to ensure you’re not discriminated against. The last thing we want you to do is stand out as a Toad.
Riding in Paceline
Many group rides, that are organized, will ride in a paceline. Paceline riding, involves some simple technique of riders drafting off of one another while riding into head or crosswind. By doing this, the riders behind are conserving so that as they take a turn up front of the line, they can contribute to the groups pace. Remember, the time in the draft is recovery and control time. Don’t waste it.
While in the draft, you want to utilize the riders body in front of you. You are drafting the person in front of you, not his bicycle. Keep this in mind and you should overlap the person just as a person behind you is doing. Because of this, you must broadcast any changes in position or effort. The better your group, the tighter the line will be. As you maintain you’re line, the closer you can draft and the more energy you’ll conserve.
In the draft and/or group ride, it’s good idea to maintain you cadence. This will prevent acceleration changes and keep that tight formation with your group. Also, it will communicate to those behind you, that you are maintaining a constant effort. Acceleration is the enemy of a group, riding together. The group ride, will push the limits of the people in the group so your ability to maintain pace will keep recovering riders in your paceline.
Signaling changes to your group, can be done with simple hand jesters.
Wiggle the elbow – I’m cooked, rider behind is welcome to pull through.
Lifting fingers – Same signal as above
Pointing at hazard – Signal to those behind, hole or gravel is approaching.
Hand Palm Back – Riders ahead are slowing
Hand up – Rider has a flat and will shift to right, riders behind need to slide left.
Turn – Right or left announcing to those behind turn ahead.
Clear or Car – Most important of rider safety, letting people know when Car is present.
Pulling through, should be done slowly, while the former leader falls back at 1-2mph rate. As you pull to the front, rider behind you will announce “Clear” which means you can move across their line.
You might feel, your technique will need some practice before you can ride in group. Key is to practice your cycling technique and relax. When riding close to rider in front of you, you can touch or tap a rider gently on their hip if you get crowded. This won’t be norm, but if you know this, you might relax more about riding close.
Most importantly in group ride, is to maintain the continuity of the group. Working together, to ensure all are riding to their best. If you are feeling strong, take a longer pull at the front. Not by accelerating away, but maintaining a good pull which allows those behind to recover and stay with you to return the favor. When working together, you can ride in what is considered above your Lactose Threshold (or Anaerobic limit), by shortening the time in that zone or effort. When shared, the entire team is riding at a rate above that which they can maintain alone. This concept, is the most difficult to convey to the new group rider.
Riding in a group can be intimidating, but the rewards are far better than riding solo. In a group, you ride faster, stronger and have others to share your effort with.
However, there are some etiquette fundamentals to ensure you’re not discriminated against. The last thing we want you to do is stand out as a Toad.
Riding in Paceline
Many group rides, that are organized, will ride in a paceline. Paceline riding, involves some simple technique of riders drafting off of one another while riding into head or crosswind. By doing this, the riders behind are conserving so that as they take a turn up front of the line, they can contribute to the groups pace. Remember, the time in the draft is recovery and control time. Don’t waste it.
While in the draft, you want to utilize the riders body in front of you. You are drafting the person in front of you, not his bicycle. Keep this in mind and you should overlap the person just as a person behind you is doing. Because of this, you must broadcast any changes in position or effort. The better your group, the tighter the line will be. As you maintain you’re line, the closer you can draft and the more energy you’ll conserve.
In the draft and/or group ride, it’s good idea to maintain you cadence. This will prevent acceleration changes and keep that tight formation with your group. Also, it will communicate to those behind you, that you are maintaining a constant effort. Acceleration is the enemy of a group, riding together. The group ride, will push the limits of the people in the group so your ability to maintain pace will keep recovering riders in your paceline.
Signaling changes to your group, can be done with simple hand jesters.
Wiggle the elbow – I’m cooked, rider behind is welcome to pull through.
Lifting fingers – Same signal as above
Pointing at hazard – Signal to those behind, hole or gravel is approaching.
Hand Palm Back – Riders ahead are slowing
Hand up – Rider has a flat and will shift to right, riders behind need to slide left.
Turn – Right or left announcing to those behind turn ahead.
Clear or Car – Most important of rider safety, letting people know when Car is present.
Pulling through, should be done slowly, while the former leader falls back at 1-2mph rate. As you pull to the front, rider behind you will announce “Clear” which means you can move across their line.
You might feel, your technique will need some practice before you can ride in group. Key is to practice your cycling technique and relax. When riding close to rider in front of you, you can touch or tap a rider gently on their hip if you get crowded. This won’t be norm, but if you know this, you might relax more about riding close.
Most importantly in group ride, is to maintain the continuity of the group. Working together, to ensure all are riding to their best. If you are feeling strong, take a longer pull at the front. Not by accelerating away, but maintaining a good pull which allows those behind to recover and stay with you to return the favor. When working together, you can ride in what is considered above your Lactose Threshold (or Anaerobic limit), by shortening the time in that zone or effort. When shared, the entire team is riding at a rate above that which they can maintain alone. This concept, is the most difficult to convey to the new group rider.