I gave some thought to Jeff's question regarding bike etiquette in a group ride. I decided to just sort of free flow some thoughts from my experience rather than try to stick to just "etiquette". There are no real rules for group rides. Everyone is welcome. Most of what I have written is geared towards maintaining our focus of having the group ride be enjoyable, yet fitness oriented, for everyone who comes out to ride. Everyone starts cycling at some point, and we all have questions, concerns or doubts about how we would fit into a group. I hope this document will answer any questions you may have and allay any concerns - if not, email me and I'll give ya the hard sell to get you out riding with us.
My experience has been that my fitness increases MUCH faster in the group setting. My riding solo generally ends up with no bike, and me sitting on the couch with a beer. The group motivates me. I get up because I know people will be waiting to have me block the wind...the sun and most of their view. I ride harder because of my natural competitiveness in not wanting to get dropped. It is more enjoyable because I don't think about that horrible rasping sound as being actually made by my lungs...I blame it on someone else. Also, I think it is safer. All of my car/bike incidents (8) have occurred when solo - guess those crazy drivers really do think I am as big and slow as a double wide mobile home! ;-) It is easier to see multiple bikes - particularly with all the nutty colors we wear - so think of joining in as a public service. We have had (in my experience) group rides as large as 17 here in Rocky Mount. Most of the time there are groups of 4 to 8. Even with the large group, we started together and then we split into two groups after about 5 miles with one group averaging about 20 mph for 50 odd miles and the other around 16 mph for about 20 miles.
Anyway, please look this over. I have added some safety thoughts to the document, but in reality, 99.9 % of our rides are completely uneventful....unless you consider watching my tongue act like a playing card in my front spokes and event worth noting.
If you have questions or feel I need to edit the document in any way, please let me know. No matter what your level, come join us for a ride, I promise that the group will adjust to any fitness and endurance level and no one will be left behind.
On a bit of a serious note : I hope that everyone will see the wisdom in wearing a helmet and will take the time to write contact and allergy information on a small piece of paper (laminated against sweat) and tape it in the helmet or you can get a nifty little Velcro/cloth anklet made - www.RoadID.com . I go for paper as it is easier to change out contact info on those days when I ride instead of doing my chores and the wife asks me if the life insurance is paid up and exactly where I will be riding as she opens the yellow pages to "half blind, little old people in over-sized caddies with steel bumpers".
Finally, we are to follow the same rules as cars. I am guilty of rolling stop signs and red lights - but I am pretty careful about slowing down to see what is coming (can't imagine why I have had those car/bike incidents....). I am trying to break myself of this habit. Michael has graciously offered to put my dog's shock collar on me and zap me when necessary. - Eric
Group Bike Etiquette and Pace Line Riding Thoughts
ReplyDelete1. We try to keep the pace line at speed that all can sustain. If the group needs to split into A and B groups for different speeds, we usually do that after the first 3 to 5 miles – when everyone has warmed up together. We generally agree to a pace before starting. If you want to go faster or slower, please speak up as there are probably others that are thinking the same way and we can set the A/B group before beginning.
2. Front of Pace line
a. Even if you only pull for 100 yards, it is appreciated that you try to pull when it is your turn. Don’t feel you have to go faster than the person who pulled before you. Do what you can do. Try to maintain the group speed, but don’t burn yourself out pulling so that you fall off the back when you rotate off. We have been doing 1 mile pulls, but no one needs to feel like they need to pull that long or short, do what you feel comfortable doing.
b. Point out rocks, holes, dogs, pedestrians, parked cars, other cyclists, road kill and any other hazard. Most of the time, the cyclists behind have some portion of their view blocked by the rider ahead. (if they are behind me, it is more like an eclipse – I block everything! ;-) )
c. If passing other cyclists, warn them of a group passing.
d. Try not to weave and stay as straight and speed steady as possible for two reasons. One, it makes it difficult for the cyclists behind to stay in the draft (accordion effect and they have to weave or tap the brakes). Two, it is dangerous as if the cyclist behind has had to slide to the left or right because they momentarily were faster, you could hit their wheel or push them into traffic or off the road…ugly crash to follow.
e. Call out cars at intersections – and make sure that the driver sees the group.
f. Signal turns and stops. If a left turn is coming without a stop and the group can merge over, make sure to call out any cars coming in the opposite direction. If there is any doubt that the entire group can not make it, call ‘car up’ and indicate that we will need to stop.
3. In the Pace Line
a. Try to stay as straight and steady as possible, same reasons as above.
b. Point out/call out/pass along warnings from those in front or behind you.
c. If you pull out of line, always try to pull to the left – check for traffic from behind first.
d. If you are going to pull back into line, signal by pointing a finger toward the line and wait for the person behind to tell you ‘clear’ before pulling in.
e. If you need to clear a nasal passage or your mouth, it is polite to pull out to the left or wait till you go to the back of the line. Sometimes gravity doesn’t work as quickly as those behind would like.
f. If you need a drink, it is generally safer to pull to the left for two reasons. One, you can’t get to your brakes as quickly and could rub tires with the cyclist in front – result, you have an ugly crash. Two, when replacing your bottle, you could drop it and the riders behind could hit it and they could have the ugly crash. Personally, I try to either take a drink when I pull off the front and am dropping back or once I have gotten to the back and have gotten back up to the group speed.
g. Out of politeness, if a person is working at the front and they may not be going as fast as you feel you would like to go, relax and enjoy the break. You can always do some intervals or sprints at the end of the ride or suggest an A/B group split. No need to embarrass someone by passing them while they are trying their best. Remember, you were there once too.
h. Road bike tires do NOT enjoy grass. If you run off the road your best reaction is to stay straight, unclip your feet and slow down in a controlled manner. Do NOT try to jerk the bike back on the road for two reasons. One, the thinness of a road tire makes it wash out easily in loose soil/sand, the group will enjoy watching your endo. Two, there is a high probability that you are going to catch the edge of the asphalt and get pitched into the road over the bars which could put you under a car or into the other riders.
4. Back of the Pace Line
a. Keep an eye/ear open for traffic approaching from behind and call out ‘car back’ when traffic is coming.
b. If a left turn is coming up, try to let those ahead know that there is or is not traffic coming from behind before reaching the turn so that they can prepare to stop or to merge to the left side of the lane for the turn.
c. Second/third from the back, keep an eye out for those behind and if someone is dropping off the rear, pass the word forward to slow the pace line enough for them to catch up.
d. If you are falling off the back – you can ask for the group to slow down for you to catch up or call out that you are heading back. Generally, we like for everyone to slow for a moment as we never like to leave someone riding alone. There is always someone who would not mind keeping someone company at a different pace.
5. Double Pace Line and other situations.
a. Generally, double pace lines are only at the beginning or end of a ride during warm up and cool down.
b. Find a spot in line that you are comfortable with and expect to stay there. If you don’t like cars approaching from behind, get on the inside line. If you worry about running into the rear wheel of the cyclist ahead of you, I suggest the outer line as it gives you more space to swerve.
c. Punctures : If you flat, call it out. Do not slam on the brakes, but wait for everyone to react around you. Try to maintain a straight line and coast to a stop.
d. Intersections : The law requires bicycles to stop at stop signs and red lights. When entering any intersection, call out ‘clear’ or ‘car coming’ for the benefit of those behind you.
e. Burn out : If you are struggling to keep up, feel overheated or just feel like going home, say something – chances are, someone else is feeling the same way and will ride with you.
f. Sprints : Inevitably, there are those of us that like to hammer a sprint. It usually happens right at the end of a ride. As an example, it seems to happen when we turn onto Beechwood off of West Mount quite often. Those that partake usually cut the corner and go to the front. Those that are done, drop back before we get there so they don’t get run over. I suppose it would be polite if we were to start announcing a sprint before it happens.
g. Dogs : generally we know where they are and if they can come out so we try to avoid them. Sometimes we get a surprise. When someone sees a dog that looks as if it may charge the group, the plan is to slow down and spread out in a controlled manner. Don’t suddenly jam on the brakes and jerk to the left or right. Chances are the dog will not end up in the road (although Jim Reid will argue this point), but you will catch the rider behind/beside you by surprise and one of you could enjoy the lasting gift of road rash or a broken collar bone and certainly make it easier for Fido to get a nibble.
If you have other items you would like to see on this list. Email Eric at
azarashiinu at yahoo.com.
Im already feeling like I need a classroom course just to get all these rules. Is it possible to ride a few times somewhere "in the pack" and not have to lead the group? Im not comfortable taking my hands off the handlebars and pointing at things that may be in the road..these are just a few of my fears...any advice??? I have already fallen once and have only ridden my bike twice... Thanks Tracy H
ReplyDeleteTracy,
ReplyDeleteUrsula has ridden a few times with Eric and it has gone well for her. Some of the weekday rides may be a good place to start. Pick a day when you and Ursula can both go. That will take the pressure off, and can easily create B group if needed.
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteYou can certainly ride in the pack adn not pull. When I first started, I stayed at the back. No one will mind. As I mentioned, none of what I wrote is a rule, but things I have picked up from riding. If you are just getting started, I would be happy to organize ride with Ursula to get you (and anyone else who wants to go) feeling more comfortable.
Good thing I am just a runner (or at least a pretend runner)....I don't think I am smart enough to remember all these rules!
ReplyDeleteI would love an organized ride with Ursula. I need enough time to arrange a sitter, my hubby is in Mexico right now....thanks
ReplyDeleteTracy, Ursula, and anyone else intersted,
ReplyDeleteThe only night this week I could ride is Thursday. The safest and easiest thing to do would be to ride what we call the loop, a 4 mile circle - Beechwood to West Mount to Halifax to Old Mill to Beechwood - a couple of times.
Eric