Group Riding: Principles
So how do I ride safely in a group?
Put simply, one should focus on the Five Cs:
1. Concentration
2. Consistency
3. Collective responsibility
4. Communication
5. Constructive feedback
Concentration: Pay attention to what is happening around (and especially ahead) of you, and listen to signals and commands from other members of the group. By doing so you should be able to anticipate what is going to happen and not have to react to it when it does. And remember to watch the person in front of you and not their bike. Bicycles do not have brake lights and you will learn significantly more from watching a rider’s body language than from watching their spinning rear tyre.
Consistency: When cycling in a group there is no such thing as a pleasant surprise.
● Hold your line: Do not suddenly veer left or right.
● Hold your position: Keep in line with those of the rider next to you. Don’t allow your front wheel to overlap with the back wheel of the rider in front (known as “half wheeling”). If you do and they have to swerve, then you are likely to crash.
● Hold the pace: When riding at the front of a group, try to keep a steady pace. Accelerating at the beginning, or decelerating at the end of your turn at the front (or “pull”) both serve to ruin group dynamics.
● Stay smooth: Pedal smoothly and evenly and don’t surge. When possible, soft pedal rather than freewheeling unless braking. Remember, smooth is fast. On a downhill, riders at the front should continue pedalling so those behind don’t need to brake.
● Don’t grab your brakes: Doing so is likely to cause the rider behind to collide with you.
● Don’t throw your wheel: Take care when you get out of the saddle as it can cause your bike to move backwards and affect those behind you. To avoid this move your body forward and keep pressure on the downstroke to keep your bike moving forward.
● Don’t overcompensate: If a rider ahead makes an unexpected movement, such as moving sideways or braking, many riders instinctively repeat the original movement “with interest”, by moving or braking in a more pronounced manner. If the original, and possibly small, action is transmitted and magnified down the group in this way the result can often be dramatic by the time it reaches the back of the group.
Communication: This is key to safe group riding. Use the hand and verbal signals explained below to communicate hazards such as potholes, cars, etc. If you hear or see such a signal being given, repeat it, to pass the information to those riders behind or ahead of you (as the case may be). Where possible use both hand and verbal signals.
Collective responsibility: In addition to being responsible for your own safety you are also responsible for safety and wellbeing of the other members of the group. You may be aware of things before the ride leader, for example if a member of the group is falling behind. Act accordingly.
Constructive feedback: Be prepared to give club members constructive feedback when they don’t follow the guidance in this note, and be ready to receive it when you don’t. We need to do these things well. And we will only do that if we all focus on it.
Next - Group Riding: Communication