Riding in a group of cyclists can be a lot of fun, but if you’re a beginner it can seem really daunting, with all those riders cycling so close together. Alex and Hank have years of experience riding in big groups, and have collated some of their top tips and tricks to riding safely and effectively in a group.
Chapters:
0:00 – Intro
0:40 – Basic Skills
2:55 – Safety
5:15 – Speed
7:15 – Etiquette
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Have you got any top tips for riding in a group? Let us know in the comments!
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Have you got any top tips for riding in a group? Let us know in the comments!
I've ridden alone for nearly 40 years. These days everyone who passes me is younger, and their pace is too fast for me to hang with.
There is the old "If you can't keep up don't come out" rule. Also one of our lads once advised a guest native Polish speaker to "take a mile off ", I'm not sure that actually makes sense in English !
Non drop rides are best fun, should everybody is experienced enough, otherwise a group ride could be an absolute failure mentally and physically.
Good video, it covers a lot of important stuff but 5-10 minutes on the front seems like a very long pull, even when riding a more casual century/fondo pace. If my group has similarly fit riders, we rotate at <30 seconds; of course, if there's one beast in the paceline, it's good for all to let the "beast" take longer pulls of 5 mins or so. Another good practice that wasn't in the video is to not quickly jump out of the saddle moving forward slamming the back wheel back. Many beginners do not realize that when they jump up in full Andrew Feather mode, their wheel slams back quickly reducing the wheel gap for the rider behind.
Riding in a group—— that used to be going on the club run on a Sunday 10am to 6-7pm .Anything from 6 to 10 or 12 people riding in two’s. Usually got 70-80miles and in the summer 100-120 miles in. Everybody stayed together. Everybody gave hands signals to let other traffic know what’s going on. Setting a pace and maintained for everyone ,especially on hills . A cafe stop. A lunch stop, and maybe another stop heading home. Mudguards ,lights , saddle bag ( that’s a proper touring saddle bag, not the little pouches they call saddle bags now) or musette ( buttie bag). Everybody enjoyed it , relaxed, happy and refreshed. On many Sundays you would see 5 or more other clubs out .you knew virtually all other clubs and the people in them.
Alls I hear from your people is ‘Speed’ low , front end , heart rate , power readings , these tyres roll better , new kit , new bikes , more aero. Faster,faster, you all look like the archetypal cafe racers posing on your bikes. Does my kit match my bike colour . Do these glasses look cool. You’re all brainwashed and don’t realize it . You’re so funny, and so sad.
Ollie: “Eeeeazzyyyy!” That shriek took me out🫣😂😂
Ok you guys having me saying Aliminium, having afternoon tea at 4. If I start riding on the wrong side of the road, my friends will think I’ve lost it.😂
Phil looks about 4 times your size, Hank. I'd keep quiet if I were you.
You covered the smells, spitting and snot rockets, but what do you do about the rider that sweats so much it flicks off and riding behind is like riding in the rain?
Bring a means to pay for the drinks/cake. Offer to buy a round. Everybody will like having you in the group and ensure you aren't dropped!
Do you have any references to studies that support these outrageous percentages of effort savings ? Hmm, thought not.
One big safety issue I've experienced is when either when turning or coming to a 4 way stop, as a group not being on the same page and clearing together. Also, reminding riders that they must follow most of the same traffic laws when it comes to stopping and right of way as if they were a vehicle. Too many riders roll through stop intersections with the assumption the other vehicle is ready for that move and will wait or group mentality sets in an the riders roll through without assessing individually if it's safe to cross/turn.
Group riding on perfect asphalt and no traffic.. sounds easy. Riding on real rough roads that look like shit, have 1 inch wide cracks and potholes. Not so easy.
Good vid with the basics. We try very hard not to use voice commands, use hand signals for almost everything when possible. With the noise from the wind/cars/or riders with hearing loss, its impossible to hear clearly. Also, at intersections with stop signs, its up to every individual rider to determine when they cross. No yelling 'clear'. It may take me longer to get through than someone else. Lastly, we recommend when following another rider, follow with a 1/2 wheel gap, and offset (left side or right) from their back wheel, and look forward, you will be able to see beyond the rider directly in front of you plus the road clearly. Love group rides 🙂
Did Si die???
BMX’er here. Riding BMX is always something I do with friends. Big group of us out at the trails or wherever. Since moving away I haven’t really found a scene like I had before. So I started riding road bikes as a way to be on a bike ( my happy place). But it’s something I do by myself really. I’ve since sold my car and sole transportation is my bikes. Really liked the video because I didn’t know most of the things you went over in it and I certainly wouldn’t want to be THAT GUY! Good work guys love the Chanel, you’ve taught me a lot over the past year. Cheers
Why was there no mention of elbow flicks for letting the next rider take over, or hand signals for slowing down?
Also, when group riding the etiquette of slowing down at yellow lights, and not trying to beat the red.
Ollie is such a great sport. Thanks for this! I wish I knew this a couple of years ago!
Somebody please give Alex a cake!
Perfect timing! I recently started riding with a group and I was very nervous of making a mistake and causing an accident by being too close. I saw the older GCN videos on riding in a pace-line and those helped enormously. Luckily the group I ride with has been patient and been showing me the ropes. So take this from someone new to group rides, it takes time but it gets better. Safe riding.
good to see Alex ride again safely.
Break large groups into smaller ones. Sharing the road means making it safe for everyone. Our area has started to see massive groups come through with no regard to traffic laws or common sense. It’s only a matter of time until someone is hurt or killed 😞
I avoid riding in groups in Singapore like the plague….a raft of covid born cyclists running with new roadie starter kit (Specilaized/canyon/trek – with PNS/Rapha) are a fricking nightmare on certain segments here. If i get caught up in a random pack then I back off til I can extract myself from that half wheeling erratic mess….
When riding with side wind, don't let riders struggle on the edge of the road at the back of the echelon. Get a strong rider to start a 2nd echelon.
Get struggling riders to ride just behind the 'pacemakers' of the group. Because If you leave them dangling at the back, they will have to sprint after each corner to keep up.
No tips for riding in a group, but actually I virtually never ride in a group, cause for me it is simply easier for me to just get out on my bike , rather than having to travel to get to a group ride. I have ridden solo, so long I enjoy it…
Rule #1: “Be excellent to each other”. Rule #2: “First learn rule #1”
I remember once I was riding in a group and I got a very loud puncture with a "PSSSSSSSSH" sound. So I start swearing very loudly, just shouting as many swear words as came to mind (there were a lot), and everyone in the group understand. It was all very well coordinated because of clear communication.
Before going out on any ride, not just a group ride, make sure you can change your own flats. It is not cool to be asking others for a tube
Poor Phil.
Loading up for the Hotter N Hell Hundred in Wichita Falls Texas. Who is representing GCN?
Lads there one very very important thing ye miss out cycling in a group is cars behind you and coming down towards you. Very important when your cycling in group
If there will be any drafting, you must have a short safety meeting before the ride, and be clear that any lead rider will be watchful for obstacles and debris, and steer the group away from road dangers and point out any holes, rocks, cracks, go over the hand signals.
Do not assume this will just happen. A lead rider in a fast group I was riding with didn't point out or avoid a rock, which took down rider number 2, and put me over his bike, and then an ambulance ride to the ER. I am now 6 weeks past that crash with multiple fractures etc, including a back injury (pain most of every day), probably 6 more weeks before I can ride outside (hopefully), most likely I will never race at the level I did a few months ago.
Ride with your fingers on the brakes 100% of the time.
Guage your positioning off of the rider in front of the rider in front of you.
Pedal metronomically and continously without ceasing (even if, and while, you are braking) while continously modifying your forward/backward momentum with slightly lighter or harder pedaling in conjunction with lightly feathered braking or lack of.
Stay perfectly in the sheltered line of air, whether it is straight on, or offset by crosswind.
Work on being as steady and as smooth as you can at all times, with every move you make.
You goal is to never brake, and to never pedal easier, or harder, or be caught off pace even in the slightest way.
You will find it is almost amazing how easy it is to continously pedal once you are perfectly balanced in your forward and backward momentum, even at high speeds. It really is a game of attention and articulation.
A certain bike tour the US state of Iowa specifically prohibits close group riding – "no drafting" right in the guidelines. Because I wanted an extra challenge, I did the week-long ride with a brother on a tandem. More than once we were cruising by lots of slower cyclists (tandems are fast on flats), until a 2-by pace line showed up. One thing group riders should never assume is anyone around them is experienced in close-quarters group riding, or even cares to group ride. These yahoos side up right next to me an my stoker inches away – and I start shouting at them "Hey pal, I'm not part of your club ride now back the eff off." Wankers, to borrow a British term.
I don't like riding with groups. Almost every crash I've seen involved a group ride.
wow right on cue since Im' doing my first group ride next month! Thanks!
This was a great video guys. I never done group rides, but gives me some perspective on what to expect if I ever do. Thanks!
The way Ollie shouted EASY and how the riders in front and back react. That's your typical group ride. Lmao
Aside: Is Hank ever going to get a good looking bike? The current yellow-red monster hurt in my eyes
Sitting down and watching this video on youtube = Saving 100% effort
I felt that it's safer to ride in a single line in the U.S than creating double lines. Since the cycling lanes are usually quite narrow and cars are driving aggressively and fast here.