Groups... The Rules!

Dominic Sansom said:

I'm putting together a flyer for people new to cycling in groups. Can someone point me in the right direction for the rules of groups cycling, or give me a few tips of your own.

Thaaaaanks!

Here are some brief explinations, you could probalby expand on these; everyone takes their turn on the front, if there's a big hole you shout "hole" and point it out to the rest of the people behind, make hand signals to slow down approaching to traffic lights etc....i cant think of anymore atm 😕 they'll all come back to me on the next group ride :P

OK......

how about......

1 - Last rider(s) in the group/paceline calls out an approaching vehicle by yelling "car back". It will then pass up the group to the lead riders.
- if there are riders out in the lane either dropping off the front or moving up it gives them the opportunity to pull into the line.

2 - as mentioned above the lead riders can point out(hand signal) obstacles in the roadway or call out obstacles...ie;"hole"
- if there are pedestrians, obstacles or vehicles on the side of the road the lead riders will signal their presense by sweeping their right arms across their backs to the left. The group will then move out into the lane, following the lead of the lead riders.

3 - In a paceline you can signal you are pulling off to the left by flicking your right elbow or right hand fingers(on the hoods) or by pulling off to the left(shoulder check first to make sure there are no oncoming vehicles first) The second placed rider will then stay the same line and pull through followed by the rest. The rider pulling off will soft pedal and then catch on the paceline as the last rider passes him/her.

4 - DON`T overlap wheels....sometimes at a mass start it is hard to avoid but once moving keep your front tire behind the rear wheel of the rider in front. If you don`t and that rider swerves to avoid an obstacle or fails to keep their line you will touch and probably go down.
- modulate your speed by feathering your brakes only or by sitting up to create some wind resistance. Firmly applying brakes in a tight group can be dangerous and won`t make you any friends.
- if you are moving up through a group shoulder check often and as you pass(in tight quarters) let others know you are there by calling "On you left" or a touch to the rider`s lower back(be careful with this one tho...usually only done with club riders/racers or close friends.Some folk don`t like strangers touching them)

5 - If you flat in a group yell "flat" or "mechanical" but don`t slam on the brakes....soft pedal down your speed and give those riders behind you a chance to react and pass.

6 - Depending upon the group ride it is often good to designate a ride leader and a sweeper, especially if it is a casual, all skills, no one gets dropped ride. The ride leader will often go from the front to the back of the pack and back keeping an eye on things. The sweeper will keep an eye out for the slower riders and makes sure no one is dropped. They will usually do a head count at the start of the ride and keep an eye on the number of riders.

- If the pack is breaking up(usually after a hill climb) the sweeper will yell out "sit up" which will then go up the line to the lead riders/ride leader.This will give the group chance to get back together.

7 - Around here the local roadways can be narrow but in low traffic areas we will often ride in the whole lane or in a double line. It is important to make sure folk become able to single it up fairly quickly when vehicles approach....common courtesy. We generally let riders "merge"....let a small gap appear in the line in front of you and call in the rider in the lane.

8 - Oh yeah......since I`m not riding today because of a nasty head cold if you have to blow your nose on the bike(snot rocket) either drop to the back of the pack or pull out into the lane and let it go. Nothing worse than being "snotted" by another rider...yuck!

All I can think of at this time. Good luck, have fun and ride safe.

rolfdevinci said:

OK......

how about......

1 - Last rider(s) in the group/paceline calls out an approaching vehicle by yelling "car back". It will then pass up the group to the lead riders.
- if there are riders out in the lane either dropping off the front or moving up it gives them the opportunity to pull into the line.

2 - as mentioned above the lead riders can point out(hand signal) obstacles in the roadway or call out obstacles...ie;"hole"
- if there are pedestrians, obstacles or vehicles on the side of the road the lead riders will signal their presense by sweeping their right arms across their backs to the left. The group will then move out into the lane, following the lead of the lead riders.

3 - In a paceline you can signal you are pulling off to the left by flicking your right elbow or right hand fingers(on the hoods) or by pulling off to the left(shoulder check first to make sure there are no oncoming vehicles first) The second placed rider will then stay the same line and pull through followed by the rest. The rider pulling off will soft pedal and then catch on the paceline as the last rider passes him/her.

4 - DON`T overlap wheels....sometimes at a mass start it is hard to avoid but once moving keep your front tire behind the rear wheel of the rider in front. If you don`t and that rider swerves to avoid an obstacle or fails to keep their line you will touch and probably go down.
- modulate your speed by feathering your brakes only or by sitting up to create some wind resistance. Firmly applying brakes in a tight group can be dangerous and won`t make you any friends.
- if you are moving up through a group shoulder check often and as you pass(in tight quarters) let others know you are there by calling "On you left" or a touch to the rider`s lower back(be careful with this one tho...usually only done with club riders/racers or close friends.Some folk don`t like strangers touching them)

5 - If you flat in a group yell "flat" or "mechanical" but don`t slam on the brakes....soft pedal down your speed and give those riders behind you a chance to react and pass.

6 - Depending upon the group ride it is often good to designate a ride leader and a sweeper, especially if it is a casual, all skills, no one gets dropped ride. The ride leader will often go from the front to the back of the pack and back keeping an eye on things. The sweeper will keep an eye out for the slower riders and makes sure no one is dropped. They will usually do a head count at the start of the ride and keep an eye on the number of riders.

- If the pack is breaking up(usually after a hill climb) the sweeper will yell out "sit up" which will then go up the line to the lead riders/ride leader.This will give the group chance to get back together.

7 - Around here the local roadways can be narrow but in low traffic areas we will often ride in the whole lane or in a double line. It is important to make sure folk become able to single it up fairly quickly when vehicles approach....common courtesy. We generally let riders "merge"....let a small gap appear in the line in front of you and call in the rider in the lane.

8 - Oh yeah......since I`m not riding today because of a nasty head cold if you have to blow your nose on the bike(snot rocket) either drop to the back of the pack or pull out into the lane and let it go. Nothing worse than being "snotted" by another rider...yuck!

All I can think of at this time. Good luck, have fun and ride safe.

Excellent advice! Nice job. In my club there is one rider that is a very nice guy and super fit, but he has a habit of avoiding even the smallest road imperfections (cracks, heaves and small drain covers) like Bode Miller late on a slalom gate. 99% of the stuff he swerves to avoid, you can go right over without issue. So I would also add, hold your line when you can and only point out the stuff that you really can't hit. Bikes are pretty tough (just watch Paris-Roubaix next weekend if you want proof) and you will be much safer absorbing the small stuff and staying upright.
😎

PeterF said:

Excellent advice! Nice job. In my club there is one rider that is a very nice guy and super fit, but he has a habit of avoiding even the smallest road imperfections (cracks, heaves and small drain covers) like Bode Miller late on a slalom gate. 99% of the stuff he swerves to avoid, you can go right over without issue. So I would also add, hold your line when you can and only point out the stuff that you really can't hit. Bikes are pretty tough (just watch Paris-Roubaix next weekend if you want proof) and you will be much safer absorbing the small stuff and staying upright.
😎

Bingo...I neglected to mention about the importance of holding your line when group cycling. Peter`s example was a good one. That brings to mind what I refer to as the YO -YO effect.

When cycling in a group, specifically a paceline, it is good to keep the pace steady. As a lead rider pulls off to the left and the line of riders move pass it is important that the new lead rider maintain tempo. His/her speed should not increase as they assume the pull as the former lead rider is slow pedalling backwards.

- With new riders they often will get to the front and think they need to hammer and up the pace. This creates problems in that it will start to create gaps in the line, the rider dropping back may have problems getting back on the paceline and the person who upped the pace may very well "blow up" and get dropped.

When this happens and the speed is constantly changing as each rider gets to the front the line is yo -yoing - increasing/decreasing, braking/accelerating. This increases the chance of an accident and generally makes the paceline experience frustrating.

Our club actually started doing pacelining rides for new people just to get them comfortable with the concept. We would tell them to find a comfortable distance between their front wheel and the rear wheel of the rider in front of them. As their experience and bike handling skills improve then that distance and their insecurity will lessen.

A paceline is an awesome thing done right and lots of fun.

Dominic Sansom said:

I'm putting together a flyer for people new to cycling in groups. Can someone point me in the right direction for the rules of groups cycling, or give me a few tips of your own.

Thaaaaanks!

Another thought. Town line sprints are a common and fun practice in some club rides. For those Newbies out there, it is just as it sounds. A sprint to see who can cross the town line first. A friend of mine told me about an incident invloving his brother during a club ride last fall. On his regular club ride there was a sprint for a town line that is always contested. The group went for the sprint and naturally the speed was high. Once the line was crossed everyone sat up. There was a newbie in the group that thought the pace was just picking up and he just kept his head down and proceeded hammering. He barrelled right into the rear of my friend's brother in the process, taking him down and ending his season with a fractured shoulder and cracked ribs. :eek: Advice to newbies: Be prepared for town line sprints. You don't have to contest them, but don't worry, you're not getting dropped either.

Aero bars are not appropriate for group riding.

Wow great replys. thanks.

any more?

EL34 said:

Aero bars are not appropriate for group riding.

Agreed. Especially when taking a pull at the front. The person behind you will get no benefit from drafting behind you.
😎

Hold your Line through the Corners

and

Some newbies freeze up when a car passes and bunch up the pack, keep pedaling and coast only when necessary.

Great Job Rolf....
Talk about eating and drinking on a Group ride.....

rolfdevinci said:

Bingo...I neglected to mention about the importance of holding your line when group cycling. Peter`s example was a good one. That brings to mind what I refer to as the YO -YO effect.

When cycling in a group, specifically a paceline, it is good to keep the pace steady. As a lead rider pulls off to the left and the line of riders move pass it is important that the new lead rider maintain tempo. His/her speed should not increase as they assume the pull as the former lead rider is slow pedalling backwards.

- With new riders they often will get to the front and think they need to hammer and up the pace. This creates problems in that it will start to create gaps in the line, the rider dropping back may have problems getting back on the paceline and the person who upped the pace may very well "blow up" and get dropped.

When this happens and the speed is constantly changing as each rider gets to the front the line is yo -yoing - increasing/decreasing, braking/accelerating. This increases the chance of an accident and generally makes the paceline experience frustrating.

Our club actually started doing pacelining rides for new people just to get them comfortable with the concept. We would tell them to find a comfortable distance between their front wheel and the rear wheel of the rider in front of them. As their experience and bike handling skills improve then that distance and their insecurity will lessen.

A paceline is an awesome thing done right and lots of fun.

Jaguar27 said:

Great Job Rolf....
Talk about eating and drinking on a Group ride.....

Well.....sure. You can really break this up into two areas......eating/drinking in a paceline or in a mass group of riders.....the peleton.

In a paceline the safe bet is to wait till after you complete your pull up front to drink or eat....either as you drop back or after you reattach on the back of the line.
- personally as I soft pedal back I will grab a drink and if I need a gel/bar I will wait till I am back on the line. That in itself is a skill...being able to retrieve and return a bottle to the cage without having to take your eyes off the road.With practice and time it becomes second nature. Same deal with getting something from a jersey pocket.

In a peleton or mass group it is just important to keep your line as you reach for a bottle or a jersey pocket. Probably safer to do it at the back but sometimes that is not possible.
-I personally place my hand on the bar near the stem when I am reaching for bottle/pocket as it makes your centre of balance more stable, especially on rougher pavement.This does take your hand away from the brake so pick a proper time to do so.
- Pick your spots......not advisable to be reaching for a bottle when entering a turn, or approaching railway tracks for example.

As great skill to develop for overall group cycling is your view of the road. Don`t concentrate on the rear wheel of the rider before you as you then lose sight of the big picture. I personally soft focus on the back of the rider in front of me while looking over their shoulders at the group/road ahead of us. Periodically I will take a quick glance downward to confirm my wheel distance or over my shoulder to see if there are vehicles/riders present.

I am new at pacelining, I was shown how last year and I think I am doing ok, but what do you do when you are behind the yo-yo guy that keeps hitting his brakes?

This drives me nuts. I few weeks ago I just dropped my self off his wheels and was dropped from the group. When a few others got dropped we just formed our own line, but never went fast enough to reel him in so that he joined our line.

I know I could have stayed with the main group if I was not behind the yo-yo.

What is the proper way to handle this. I know in a few weeks when the racing guy start ridding they will yell at him.

Nice Work Rolf!
I think you've covered just about all of it. One thing on the "Snot" issue. When I'm racing or in a tight group, I blow my nose in my glove and wipe it on my shorts. I know this sounds nasty, but it works. I always have snot issues, and clearing your nose in the group is sure to make enemies.

rolf, great treatise there, an exhaustive guide.

may i add,
-before standing to pedal, put out several increasingly forceful cranks so as not to slow during the transition from seated to standing. this way you will not affect the rider behind.

-if you see a rider in front begin to stand, expect they may not adhere to the above and be ready to modulate your speed.

-use all your senses, listen for mashing and clicking sounds that indicate the pace is heating up in real time. converstion also tends to stop at this point.

for myself, i tend to avoid calling out "stopping" or "rolling" at intersections and merges because this can result in less than measured response.

i also try to ignore those who would call out "stopping" or "rolling' as they may not speak for the bunch.

when there is a road impediment it is good to gesture which side it is on, some signal an overhead wave to instruct by gesture which way to veer.

ah, the snot issues. best to move to the side, look over the shoulder, cover one nostril and let loose a spectrum of myriad colors...

QUOTE=OCRoadie]Nice Work Rolf!
I think you've covered just about all of it. One thing on the "Snot" issue. When I'm racing or in a tight group, I blow my nose in my glove and wipe it on my shorts. I know this sounds nasty, but it works. I always have snot issues, and clearing your nose in the group is sure to make enemies.[/QUOTE]

General rules for riding in a group (pack.)
1. Everyone takes a turn at pulling, the length decided by their ability.
2. Your pull isn't finished until you're on the back and recovered. So don't blow yourself up trying to be macho.
3. Those at the rear call out cars back.
4. Leaders call out everything else: car up, hole, stick, rough road, gravel, right/left turn, coming off, etc.
5. Riders in the middle relay leader's calls so everyone in back knows.
6. Non-verbal signals are sometimes acceptable, but remember only the rider immediately behind you can see them. Make sure hand signals are understood by the group.
7. When you take the front, hold the same speed the group has been going. Don't speed up! While at the front, maintain constant *effort;* remember that some riders will be struggling and if you try to maintain your cruising speed up a hill you will break up the pack.
8. If you're coming off the front of a single line, do so on the upwind side so that the new leader gets a little extra draft while you're dropping back. For a double line, leaders usually come off together, to both sides and allow the line to pass up the middle.
9. Hold a straight line and a steady speed in the pack.
10. The leader never coasts down a hill, because everyone else will be coasting faster and will surely bunch up/overlap wheels.
11. Don't overlap another wheel. Dangerous! The rider ahead of you might not hold that straight line all the time.
12. The difference between drafting a foot off the next guy's wheel and drafting 2 inches off is minimal. It's best to be safe.
13. If you need to use your brakes in a paceline, use them sparingly and keep pedaling while you do it. That way you minimize the whiplash effect. Call it out if you have to do more than feather them.
14. Never join a group without permission.
15. Be leery of riding in a strange group. They might have their own rules, or they might get sloppy at times you don't expect.

These rules are meant to keep the group together, safely. That's relative, since pacelines are inherently risky. They take a lot of attention by everyone to do properly, but when it all clicks, they are a thing of beauty.