help_outline Skip to main content

Road Riding

Group Riding Skills
Author Last Post
5/17/2017 8:11 AM
I remember reading this post when I first started riding. Very helpful.
https://cyclingtips.com/2011/09/the-lost-art-of-the-group-ride-2/
5/16/2017 9:26 PM
Thanks for your post - beow I have posted the road rules from the club I used to ride with in Florida -

 RidingRules for the Gainesville Florida cycling club

You are responsible for being prepared to do the ride you have selected.

  • You must have sufficient fitness to complete the ride at the advertised pace.
  • Ensure you are adequately fed and hydrated when you start the ride, and maintain your feeding and hydration during the ride.

 

You are responsible for having appropriate equipment to do the ride you have selected.

  • Approved helmets are required at all times while you are on your bicycle.
  • Ensure your bicycle is fully functional and equipped with brakes.
  • If the ride will occur or may continue into dusk or dark, you must be equipped with a front headlight that is adequate for the speed of the ride, and a tail light, as per Florida Statute.

 

You are responsible for riding safely and appropriately.

  • Obey all traffic laws applicable to bicyclists.
  • Ride in a straight line while proceeding down the roadway.
  • Maintain an adequate following distance behind the bicycle ahead of you, appropriate for the ride you are participating in (do not overlap wheels).
  • Give a verbal warning before passing pedestrians or other cyclists, and before turning, changing lanes, or otherwise significantly altering course.
  • When the ride is halted for repair, rest, or any other reason get well off of the roadway.
  • Only use aero bars when at least five bike lengths behind the other riders.
  • Ask riders who are not riding safely to conform to these safety rules.
  • Per Florida Statute, no headpiece (phone, radio, etc . . . ) of any kind may be used while cycling.
  • Do not attempt to answer your phone while riding in a group.
5/14/2017 9:35 PM
I got these tips today in a email newsletter from bikestyletours.com.  I know many of us have read this kind of stuff before, but a little reminder is always welcome and certainly helpful to new riders...

Training Tips - Group Riding Skills

There is a huge difference between a strong rider and a good rider. Developing good group riding skills is one of the most important things you can master but it is one skill that is rarely worked on. Here are a few tips for your next bunch ride.

Smooth is fast
  • Maintaining a steady smooth pace is essential to keeping the bunch together. Remember a bunch ride is not a race so the goal is not to shoot your friends out the back of the bunch (not all the time). When riding on the front of the bunch maintain a steady pace by keeping constant weight on your pedals, no free wheeling. This will avoid the concertina effect at the back of the bunch. Do not sprint out of corners but gradually build the pace after cornering, again this will stop the concertina effect.
When leading, you need to lead
  • Most of us have a regular ride we all like to do, and there are often thousands of variations to the ride. Many accidents happen because the riders on the front are in two minds. When riding on the front and leading the group - so you need to lead. Indicate early when you intend to take a turn, indicate obstructions on the road and keep a safe distance from the edge of the road so the group does not consume the entire road.
When following, you need to follow
  • It sounds simple but we need to follow the rider in front of you. Follow their indications. If they point to a hole make sure you do the same. If the indicate to turn you do the same, especially in larger groups. Most importantly follow the wheel in front and don't overlap wheels, most of us like to take a sneak peak up ahead and pull out from the rider in front but this will lead to the group spreading out across the road. 
Keep rolling
  • One of the best ways to regulate the speed of the bunch is to constantly rotate the riders on the front. Weaker riders are to take shorter turns or simply roll through the front of the bunch and the stronger riders to take slightly longer turns (this does not mean 10mins). Try 20sec to 30sec turns to keep everyone alert in the bunch and to keep the pace steady.
I know you may have heard it all before! Next time you are riding with your bunch please take a closer look to see if the group is riding as a bunch or individuals who just happen to be riding near each other. Riding smooth and sharing the workload on the front of the group will make it a more enjoyable and social experience.
Return to Forum