One of the best parts about Philadelphia is that once it warms up, there is no shortage of people to ride with. Slogging away all winter on the trainer can make you strong and fast, but it doesn’t necessarily prepare you for riding outdoors, and especially for riding outdoors with other people. In order to help you prepare for such occasions, I wanted to note a few general guidelines for riding in groups.
I few things ought to go without saying, but I’ll list them just in case.
• Wear a helmet!
• Bring what you need to handle a flat tire
• Bring enough food or cash for a food stop so you don’t become a mooch
• Obey the rules of the road.
These things are relevant for all rides, not just group rides, though.
• Here are some general rules:
• Point out obstacles in the road.
• Announce “[rider, car, dog] up” calmly if there is a potential hazard forthcoming.
• Have your head up so you are aware of what’s going on around you.
• Signal when you are stopping. Avoid yelling “stopping,” unless it is absolutely necessary. (If everyone is riding in a group correctly, this shouldn’t be necessary.)
• When overtaking people, let them know you are going to pass them on the left by saying “on your left.”
Group rides can be great training, as long as everyone is on board with what is happening. However, the harder the group ride is, the smaller the field can be. If you plan on doing intervals or hitting hills, then unless everyone else on the ride is on board, of equal ability, or willing to regroup occasionally, go train alone. Also, before joining the group, make sure you understand the format of the ride. You need to follow the house rules just like a casino, or like the casino, the group will kick you to the curb. (hopefully metaphorically, in both circumstances!)
One primary rule for riding in a group is to be predictable. You can’t control other people, and they can’t control you. Therefore when riding together, there is an implicit bond of trust between the riders. You need to trust that following them is a safe thing to do, and they need to do likewise. (This is why if you ever jump on my wheel when I’m out riding, and I don’t know or trust you, I try to drop you. I’m sorry, but please, at least say something, like a simple “mind if I draft?”) As a great friend and teammate proved, riding can be dangerous anywhere, any time. It’s bad enough out there for us riders in a world of cars. Let’s not make it worse for each other!
Being predictable means no erratic movements. Any change in pace or in one’s line needs to be gradual. Don’t suddenly move to the left or right without checking to see that it is safe to do so. If you’re riding behind somebody, follow the line that they are taking around corners. Don’t suddenly slam your brakes unless absolutely necessary; generally, it’s better to “scrub” speed by coasting or moving slightly out of the draft of someone in front so you allow the wind to slow you down. Also, if you’re on the front, you should be pedaling unless it is a very fast downhill. Remember the people behind you are in your draft, so if you are both coasting, they will be going substantially faster (upwards of 30%). If you are hitting the wind while coasting, you will force those behind you to have to hit their brakes. This can send a ripple effect through the pack and cause accidents.
Most group rides should stick to no more than two across.
Title 75, Secion 3505:
(e) Limitation on riding abreast.—Persons riding pedacycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than 2 abreast, except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of pedacycles.
So, when you are riding in a group, you’ll typically follow one of three forms: a double paceline, a single paceline, or a rotating or “circular” paceline (echelons are just rotating pacelines in crosswinds, usually not suitable for riding on open roads).
By far the most common is a double paceline. This is popular because it permits conversation with the person on one’s side. Riders go side by side, two-by-two, taking turns pulling in front. Each pairing should try to stay maintain an even distance between the two people in front of them. That means everyone’s handlebars should be even with someone’s next to them, and ideally, everyone keeps their handlebars as close together width-wise as is safely possible. If you find yourself pulling ahead or falling behind the person next to you, then those behind you are forced into the same unsafe circumstance. It’s especially important when riding on the front to keep an even speed. If you are for whatever reason (usually macho overcompetitive zeal) constantly pulling ahead of the person next to you when you are on the front, you are committing a serious faux pas known as “half-wheeling.” Chronic half-wheelers often don’t even realize they’re doing this. Politely point out what they’re doing and ask that they chill. One can go ride hard on his or her own.
When in the double paceline, it is polite to share pulls. Some rides expect everyone to pull roughly equally, while other groups are ok with someone or someones doing the lion’s share of the work. As always, defer to the group with this regard. When taking a pull, keep the pace steady. Your effort will naturally increase once you hit the wind, without you needing to surge ahead. When you pull off, flick your elbow and gradually move to your outside (to the right if on the right, to the left if on the left). Stay safe, as you will temporarily be 4 abreast while the rest of the line rotates through. If necessary, the people on the front should pull off one at a time. The people who are now in the wind should pull through riding the same tempo.
A single paceline works the same way, except that the riders are single file. This is the fastest way for small groups (~6-8 or fewer) to travel, and it can be done by experienced riders in a training format, similar to doing a team time trial. A small group can do their own “hammerfest” in this format. The person in front should flick his or her elbow when ready to pull off. Generally, flicking the elbow on one side indicates that one is pulling off to the opposite side, and the person behind should pull through on the side that the leader flicked. Wherever possible, pull off into any cross wind, so you temporarily shield the faster-moving rider from those winds as you drop back.
The last sort of format is the rotating paceline. I have little more to add to what you learn when you watch this video:
When doing a rotating paceline on open roads, you should try to make the inside lane the fast lane, so that you are not at the back pulling left toward traffic that you cannot see coming behind you.
Last, but certainly not least, don’t be a jerk! We cyclists have too much to lose for people to come in and be disrespectful and put us all at risk. If you see something questionable, let them know calmly, and you should respond in kind if the same happens to you. And when in doubt, just ask someone!
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