I often find myself training on my own. But, I was introduced to cycling largely through the traditional British club run, in which you would have 5-15 riders riding together as much for the social aspect as the cycling. During these formative cycling years, I picked up on a few tips and group cycling ‘etiquette’. If you are relatively new to cycling, you might appreciate some of these suggestions for group riding.
Ride Together If you do decide to ride with a group, don’t go off sprinting for road signs (unless that is what the group likes doing. Either do interval training on your own or ride as a group. Don’t try to combine both, you will just break the spirit of the group.
Avoid ‘Half-wheeling’ – This is a phrase to describe a rider at the front of the group who keeps trying to ride faster than the rider next to him. It means you keep trying to push the pace.
The Law and Cycling Two Abreast
The highway code states that cyclists can cycle two abreast.
“never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends” (Direct Gov).
Note: This section of the Highway code is a guidance note rather than legal requirement.
You have to use your judgement. Motorists are rarely as patient and considerate as we would like. But, if we can avoid needless antagonism it can make it easier for other cyclists. We have a right to cycle two abreast, but it is also good to be prepared to go single file where common sense dictates. See: Cycling Two Abreast
Don’t overlap wheels. If you are riding two abreast in the middle of the bunch, it is important to keep behind the rider in front. Overlapping wheels means that if you needed to move inside you would be blocked by the rider in front and cause a crash
Avoid Swerving
The first thing to remember when riding in a group is that your riding, will affect other group riders. Therefore, avoid making sudden movements to right or left. Try to anticipate objects and don’t leave it to the last minute. If you do make a sudden swerve it will ripple through the group and could be dangerous.
Keep Your Line.
If you ever do a road race, you will inevitably hear people shouting – ‘hold your line’. When your riding on your own, you can take the best line. However, when riding in a group, you have to bear in mind the people to the side of you. Make sure you don’t force them over the other side of the road by moving away from the inside.
Be Careful standing on your pedals on a hill.
A common irritation is for newbies (and some experienced cyclists) to ‘dropkick’ the person behind them. If you stand on your pedals, your cadence drops and you suddenly slow down forcing the person behind you to also slow down. You can avoid this by dropping down a gear and making an effort to maintain constant pace when standing on the pedals.
Signal dangers
Point out dangers in the road. This may sound quite obvious but if you see potholes in the road it is important to point them out to people behind you. There vision is obscured.
Keep Your Concentration
When riding in a group you have a responsibility not to crash, so stay concentrated and look out for obstacles.
For riding on a chain gang there are more things to consider.
Other Tips for Cycling in Groups.
- Don’t get fixated on wheel in front. Keep a wider perspective for potential hazards or other riders.
- Don’t Use tribars. – Unless you’re a triathelete, tribars do not go down well in road groups.
- Don’t use abusive and aggressive language to drivers, it can get the whole group in trouble.
- Do come prepared for punctures and riding back on your own if necessary
- Avoid braking hard. One of the most important rules; it is important to slow down gradually and apply brakes gently. You can slow down, by free-wheeling and lifting your body as a natural braking mechanism.
- Before riding making sure your bike is in good working order and you look the part. Make sure your tyres are not worn and brakes are working well. If you want to ride with some good riders, don’t turn up in plimsolls, baggy tracksuits and a lady’s bike (unless you’re an ex pro or something like that)
- Don’t be Intimidated by Joining a group. Like any people cyclists may not always be overly eager to welcome new riders. But, if you have the right equipment, are friendly and know how to ride in a group you will soon be accepted.
- Don’t start half-wheeling and pushing the pace. Even in a chain gang, you want to keep a constant pace and not try to show off by trying to drop people. Save that for a proper race.
- Be self-sufficient. Make sure if you got a mechanical or got lost, you would be able to get back on your own. Carry spare inner tubes and mobile phone e.t.c.
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