Benefits of Riding with Others

• You get to meet some great people, discuss the ways of the world and learn great tips for improving your cycling from others, so those longer rides can just fly by! You can also make some great lifelong friends or future riding buddies.

• If you’re planning to ride in an event or race then the skills you’ll learn in group rides will benefit you hugely on the day.

• You can save 25% + of your energy by drafting, enabling you to cycle further than you would have done otherwise. If you get really tired you can sit at the back of the group for the rest of the ride (useful in headwind!).

• There are some great places to ride on road or trails in your area that more experienced riders will be happy to share so you’ll get to find a whole bunch of new rides.

• If you get into real difficulties, like a significant injury or mechanical problems, other riders may be able to help you out.

• Riding with others can help your motivation. When you’re training in mid winter on your own, it is more tempting to cut rides short. If you ride with experienced / fit cyclists it should encourage you to train at a higher level and ride further than you would if you were on your own.

Tips for group riding
If you’re going to ride in a group it pays to learn how to stay safe (and also make yourself welcome) in a bunch. Here’s the do’s and don’t’s you need to know:

Do….

Look for Risky Riders. These are the unsteady people who wobble, appear nervous, have a tense grip on the handlebar, and frequently grab the brakes. Avoid them! Move up to keep them behind you.

Stay at the Front. This is easy to say but hard to do in some groups. At the front you have more control over your destiny because most crashes occur in the rear two-thirds of the bunch. It may take a bit more work to reach the front and stay there, but it’s worth the effort.

Watch the Wind. Wind direction determines on which side the greatest draft is found. If the wind is from the right side of the road, smart riders move to the left of the wheel in front of them for greater protection. If you’re doing this, beware of overlapping wheels with inexperienced riders. They may swerve and take out your front wheel.

Be Aware on Climbs. A major cause of group crashes is riders who stand abruptly going into a climb. They slow for a second, causing the rider behind to hit their rear wheel and spill. To avoid this danger, let the gap open a bit on hills or ride a bit to either side of the wheel in front.
To avoid being the one who causes such a crash, pull your bike forward as you leave the saddle. Don’t lunge and make a hard pedal stroke. Keep your speed steady. When sitting again, push the bike forward a bit.

Always pay attention to the road and what vehicles around you are doing. Watch the road in front of you and as far ahead as you can see. There may be potholes or road grates that are hazardous. The lead rider should call out and identify these but may not do so. You must look out for yourself! Following riders should call out approaching cars. At unmarked intersections lead riders should warn of oncoming traffic.

Protect yourself. If you find yourself in a dangerous situation in a group, you should immediately start to work your way out. Don’t ride in the middle of the pack unless you know the riders with you and are confident they are safe. Until you are experienced stay out of the main group and ride near the back. The safest places are the front or the back. The back is best because until you get the necessary experience you can observe the better riders and learn how to handle the bike. If other riders get too close either move away or ask them to move. When passing a rider closely inform them you are there by saying, "On your left" or "On your right" as the case may be.

Manage Body Contact. Cycling isn’t a contact sport, but it’s not uncommon to have your arm brushed when riding near others in a group. Riding relaxed is the key to absorbing contact without swerving. Have slightly bent elbows, a firm-not-tight grip on the bar, and loose arm and shoulder muscles. If you’re relaxed, your body can absorb the shock before it gets to the handlebar.

Don’t…

Don’t overlap wheels. If you get between two riders, slowly back out by coasting or sitting up to let your body catch some wind. This will slow you down without having to use the brakes. It also signals the rider behind that you are slowing. Riders behind you can’t see you touch the brakes but they will see you sit up. Remember, if you brake in the pack, then everyone has to brake accordingly.

Don’t ride the brakes. When you brake everyone behind you also must brake. This is normal if you come to a turn or stoplight, but if you are the only one braking then the group also has to brake and the rhythm is broken. Keep your hands near the brakes so you can brake if necessary but do so gradually. Never brake hard.

Don’t ride centred on the wheel in front of you. You may ride close to the rider in front of you if that rider is steady, but always stay a few centimetres to one side. This will help you avoid colliding with that rider if he or she is forced to decelerate suddenly.

Don’t change position often in the group. If you must change position, before you move to either side, make sure another rider is not overlapping you. Don’t move abruptly. It is better to hit a hole than to swerve and cause a crash. If you are smooth and steady then everyone else will feel safer and riders near you may be able to react and avoid crashing. When cornering hold your line so other riders can follow through and maintain speed. Learn how to corner properly so the group does not get slowed very much.