The do's and donts ?????

[moggsy100]

Right well im doing my 1st sportive in a few weeks of 100 miles and so far the event has got over 2000 entries... we will be getting set off in groups of 50 riders every 4 mins so im hoping and guessing that for alot of the ride i can ride in some groups which i have never done before. Only ever been out with 1 or 2 others before now......
But whats the etiquette for group riding so as not to cause a crash or p**s anyone off around me..... plus how much difference does pack riding actually make to your average speed...

cheers....

 

[HLaB]

Riding in a group helps a fair bit upto 30% but for it to be effective you have to be a tight pack. Riding so close means the rider in front has to indicate upcoming hazards which the cyclist behind may not see until its too late. I found this video on youtube a while back it sums it up well

[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKQ9USiKcDE[/media]

 

[Globalti]

Get your apostrophes right or you'll never be a good cyclist.

It's dos and don'ts. A plural doesn't need an apostrophe.

 

[vernon]

Get your apostrophes right or you'll never be a good cyclist.

It's dos and don'ts. A plural doesn't need an apostrophe.

You are being a bit harsh. He might be a greengrocer.

 

[moggsy100]

Get your apostrophes right or you'll never be a good cyclist.

It's dos and don'ts. A plural doesn't need an apostrophe.

ehmmmm thanks for the english lesson... but i don't really need correct grammer to drill holes for a living... lol

 

[TVC]

ehmmmm thanks for the english lesson... but i don't really need correct grammer to drill holes for a living... lol

I think you will find that immaculate punctuation is required when riding in a group. You may remember a few years ago that whilst climbing, Mr Armstrong turned round, glared at Mr Ulrich and then sped off into the distance. This was not because he intended to beat him but because Jan did not follow a question mark with a capital letter.

 

[John the Monkey]

Before the grammar police take this over completely;

http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=4015 < Group riding tips

http://www.road-bike.co.uk/articles/pacelineriding.php

http://cyclinginfo.co.uk/blog/training/tips-for-riding-in-a-group/

You could always just let folk know you're not used to group riding - they can then make the decision on whether to stick with you or move off.

 

[jimboalee]

Riding your FIRST Sportive is like riding your first 'Devil take the hindmost' on the track.

ie, expect to be elliminated before half distance. NO. Expect to crash out in the first few laps because you haven't ridden in such a large pack before.

 

[John the Monkey]

essentially, we'll crash and have to abandon then? Thanks Jim.

 

[ASC1951]

But whats the etiquette for group riding so as not to cause a crash or p**s anyone off around me

If you haven't done it before, I would hang about at the back and make sure you keep alert. A lot of people set off far too fast on these events and personally I go better if I am overtaking other riders for the last 30 miles than if I'm the one being reeled in.If you want to turn in a time you will be pleased with, the trick is to keep finding little bunches who are going slightly faster than your natural pace.

plus how much difference does pack riding actually make to your average speed...

Proper chaingang riding makes a vast difference. I still congratulate myself for once having done 100 miles in exactly 5 hours - but only by joining a dozen huge Texans for two thirds of it. On my own I would have been able to sustain about 16 mph.

You hardly ever get chaingangs in a sportive and TBH I wouldn't join one unless you have had some practice, otherwise you will frighten yourself and them. Sportives usually thin out into groups of four or five mates riding several feet apart, so the effect is then mainly psychological - not to be sniffed at when it starts to hail after 75 miles!

 

[jimboalee]

[/size][/color][/font] If you haven't done it before, I would hang about at the back and make sure you keep alert. A lot of people set off far too fast on these events and personally I go better if I am overtaking other riders for the last 30 miles than if I'm the one being reeled in.If you want to turn in a time you will be pleased with, the trick is to keep finding little bunches who are going slightly faster than your natural pace.[/font][/color][/font]


Proper chaingang riding makes a vast difference. I still congratulate myself for once having done 100 miles in exactly 5 hours - but only by joining a dozen huge Texans for two thirds of it. On my own I would have been able to sustain about 16 mph.[/font]

You hardly ever get chaingangs in a sportive and TBH I wouldn't join one unless you have had some practice, otherwise you will frighten yourself and them. Sportives usually thin out into groups of four or five mates riding several feet apart, so the effect is then mainly psychological - not to be sniffed at when it starts to hail after 75 miles!

i.e. Be a 'Wheelsucker'.

 

[ColinJ]

Always be predictable and smooth in what you do and expect other riders not to be!

Don't brake hard unless you absolutely have to - if you do, you may avoid a problem in front only to have a group of riders plough into you from behind.

Similarly, don't change direction suddenly unless you absolutely have to...

Don't overlap your front wheel with the rider in front. If they swerve, they will take out your front wheel and you will go down fast and hard!

When riders in front of you stand up to climb steep hills, they will often suddenly slow down so leave a bigger gap between you and the rider ahead on such climbs.

Announce any oncoming or overtaking vehicles when you are on narrow roads. You are supposed to say things like "car up" or "van down" but I think the up/down thing is redundant and who cares what kind of vehicle it is? Just shout "car!" and that should do the trick.

Experienced riders use hand signals to tell you about obstacles and dangers ahead. Point out potholes, glass and other debris.

If it is unsafe to be overtaken, indicate that with your right hand held out palm rearwards.

If there is a parked vehicle, pedestrian or other danger in the road ahead, use the appropriate arm behind your back to indicate which direction riders should move in.

 

[HLaB]

Announce any oncoming or overtaking vehicles when you are on narrow roads. You are supposed to say things like "car up" or "van down" but I think the up/down thing is redundant and who cares what kind of vehicle it is? Just shout "car!" and that should do the trick.

I've been riding with two clubs this year and with one of them its 'car back' and the other its 'tail'. I think whatever is shouted though folk do get the gist

 

[jimboalee]

Always be predictable and smooth in what you do and expect other riders not to be!

Don't brake hard unless you absolutely have to - if you do, you may avoid a problem in front only to have a group of riders plough into you from behind.

Similarly, don't change direction suddenly unless you absolutely have to...

Don't overlap your front wheel with the rider in front. If they swerve, they will take out your front wheel and you will go down fast and hard!

When riders in front of you stand up to climb steep hills, they will often suddenly slow down so leave a bigger gap between you and the rider ahead on such climbs.

Announce any oncoming or overtaking vehicles when you are on narrow roads. You are supposed to say things like "car up" or "van down" but I think the up/down thing is redundant and who cares what kind of vehicle it is? Just shout "car!" and that should do the trick.

Experienced riders use hand signals to tell you about obstacles and dangers ahead. Point out potholes, glass and other debris.

If it is unsafe to be overtaken, indicate that with your right hand held out palm rearwards.

If there is a parked vehicle, pedestrian or other danger in the road ahead, use the appropriate arm behind your back to indicate which direction riders should move in.

You don't have brake lamps, but you have a mouth that can shout "Stopping!"

As you approach a steep hill, get to the front so there aren't any riders in front of you to slow down for. Let them slow down for you.
As you pass them, say "Take my wheel" for 'oneupmanship' sake.