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HomeGroup Riding Practices

Below are many of the specific practices that generally need to be followed when riding in a group. If you are new to group riding, please study them. The degree to which particular practices are applicable will obviously depend on the circumstances. However, you should still be familiar with all of them. 

 

ROTATING

There are several rotation methods. The method adopted by your group will generally need to decided upon by the Ride Leader. Below are some recommended methods.

  • The Double File Paceline This rotation is typically clockwise. It's generally safer to rotate towards the edge of the road, as opposed to the middle of the road:
    • Starting the rotation Raise your hand in the air, rotate it, and loudly call out "rotating”.
    • The left side lead rider
      • first, speed up a bit
      • then, slide in to the right/inside to become the right side lead rider (the ride side lead rider may help out by calling "clear" when there's room for the left side lead rider to slide in front of her/him).
    • The rest of the left side riders These riders speed up a little until the new left and right side lead riders are beside each other.
    • The right side rear rider Lastly, this rider slides out to the left to become the left side rear rider.
  • The Single File Paceline Single file pacelines generally rotate counterclockwise, thereby enabling the riders not in the process of rotating to remain close to the edge of the road.
  • When to Rotate The goal of group riding is to share the burden of riding at the front against the wind. Take your turn at the front, but don't overdo it.

OTHER GROUP RIDING PRACTICES

While riding a group is fun, there are specific risks that need to be managed:

  • Wheel Overlapping Don’t do it. You’ll eventually fall--this video illustrates how.
  • Maintaining the Right Drafting Distance If you are experienced, you may feel comfortable at 15 cm (6 inches). If you are less experienced, 25 to 50 cm (1 to 2 feet) will generally be about right. If you are more than 50 cm (2 ft) back, you’ll start to lose some of the drafting benefit.
  • Offset When Following There is nothing wrong with riding 5 to 10 centimetres (but no more!) to the left or right of the rider immediately in front of you. It allows you better forward vision. It also gives you more room to manoeuvre in the event of an abrupt slowing down or stop.
  • Standing When you stand up, you need to accelerate slightly. If you don’t, you’ll slow down, which may require everyone behind you to brake (or even cause a wheel overlap fall).
  • Surging or Decelerating Don't do it, unless the group does it. Ride smoothly and at exactly the pace of the group. 
  • Obstacles When you are in the middle or back of a group, you won’t see upcoming obstacles. The lead riders need to both call out and point out obstacles early, and change the riding line of the group. And the following riders need pass the call down the line.
  • Turning Left or Changing Lanes There are big risks here. The problem is that the lead riders are generally blind to any vehicles approaching the group from the rear. Consider proceeding as follows, especially when in a large group:
    • The lead rider raises her or his hand straight in the air and loudly yells “call”
    • The left side rear rider falls back two or three bike lengths, looks to the rear, and then calls out as follows:
      • “wait” if any vehicles are approaching from the rear
      • “turn” if it’s safe to turn left. Of course, the lead riders will also need to be alert to any vehicles approaching from the front before starting the turn
      • “over one” or “over two” if the group is just moving over one or two lanes to the left
  • Downhills If you are at the front of the group, keep pedaling on downhills. If you don't, everyone behind you will need to brake.
  • Slowing or Stopping Call it out. The riders behind you need to know what's happening.
  • Mechanicals If you have a flat or other equipment problem, call out "mechanical". The group will then slow down and stop so that you can deal with your issue. Make sure that everyone gets completely off the shoulder and onto the grass verge.
  • Regrouping Whether planned or not, groups sometimes break up. When this happens, make sure that everyone regroups.
  • All the Calls There are a lot of calls used in group riding, some of which are below. Use them appropriately:
    • "car back"
    • "car passing"
    • "car up"
    • "slowing"
    • "stopping"
    • "turning left/right"
    • "pothole"
    • "dog"
    • "passing on your left"
    • "rotating"
    • "clear"
    • "single up"