There is a lot of etiquette to be followed when joining a cycling group. Ciaran Fallon/INPHO
Rules of the road
The 5 golden rules of riding in a group
If you’re new to cycling and just joined your first chain gang or weekend club run, a lot more goes into getting accepted by the group than just rocking up.
This is the quickest way to turn the mood of the group sour. A half-wheeler, whether he knows it or not, is never welcome on a group ride and the sooner he or she’s told, the better.
By sitting on the front, the aggressor will keep his/her steed a ‘half a wheel’ length ahead of the person adjacent to them.
This forces that person to speed up in order to stay level at the front of the group. But when half-wheeler edges forward again the process is repeated and the speed gradually increases, p***ing off the whole bunch.
Don’t let this be you!
2 Share the work on the front
No one likes the person who just sits at the back and never takes a turn at the front where the wind resistance is strongest. By sitting in someone’s slipstream one can do up to 30% less work, ie. go at the same speed with less effort, in other words.
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But by ‘sitting on’ as the practice is known in cycling speak, you’re making enemies who’ll talk about you when you’re gone home… And be slow to invite you out next Sunday.
3 Call the holes!
Those at the front have a big responsibility for the group’s safety.
They can see the whole road up ahead, whether traffic is emerging from side roads or if there are obstacles or obstructions on the surface such as holes, rocks, gravel or branches.
Just because you’re watching where you’re going doesn’t mean those behind are. Plus, they could also have their hands off the handlebars or are simply looking sideways.
By calling everything you warn those behind…and clear yourself of blame should he or she go down…
Don't try showing off to other members of the group by being reckless. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
4 Don’t be reckless
You might be the best rider in the group but don’t be a show off.
Drifting on roundabouts, track stands at traffic lights or hammering it down dangerous descents is fine if you’re by yourself but not in a group. If you crash you run the risk of being the reason many more come down too. A broken arm is expensive. A broken bike even more so.
5 Know the basics
No matter how new you are to the sport there’s no excuse for not having adequate water and nutrition on group rides.
It’s also important you know how to do simple things like fix punctures because sooner or later you’ll get one. And for God’s sake have your machine in proper working order. There’s nothing to put fear into a fella like watching a back wheel come loose on a descent…
The 5 golden rules of riding in a group
1. Never, ever half-wheel
This is the quickest way to turn the mood of the group sour. A half-wheeler, whether he knows it or not, is never welcome on a group ride and the sooner he or she’s told, the better.
By sitting on the front, the aggressor will keep his/her steed a ‘half a wheel’ length ahead of the person adjacent to them.
This forces that person to speed up in order to stay level at the front of the group. But when half-wheeler edges forward again the process is repeated and the speed gradually increases, p***ing off the whole bunch.
Don’t let this be you!
2 Share the work on the front
No one likes the person who just sits at the back and never takes a turn at the front where the wind resistance is strongest. By sitting in someone’s slipstream one can do up to 30% less work, ie. go at the same speed with less effort, in other words.
But by ‘sitting on’ as the practice is known in cycling speak, you’re making enemies who’ll talk about you when you’re gone home… And be slow to invite you out next Sunday.
3 Call the holes!
Those at the front have a big responsibility for the group’s safety.
They can see the whole road up ahead, whether traffic is emerging from side roads or if there are obstacles or obstructions on the surface such as holes, rocks, gravel or branches.
Just because you’re watching where you’re going doesn’t mean those behind are. Plus, they could also have their hands off the handlebars or are simply looking sideways.
By calling everything you warn those behind…and clear yourself of blame should he or she go down…
4 Don’t be reckless
You might be the best rider in the group but don’t be a show off.
Drifting on roundabouts, track stands at traffic lights or hammering it down dangerous descents is fine if you’re by yourself but not in a group. If you crash you run the risk of being the reason many more come down too. A broken arm is expensive. A broken bike even more so.
5 Know the basics
No matter how new you are to the sport there’s no excuse for not having adequate water and nutrition on group rides.
It’s also important you know how to do simple things like fix punctures because sooner or later you’ll get one. And for God’s sake have your machine in proper working order. There’s nothing to put fear into a fella like watching a back wheel come loose on a descent…
Safe riding!
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Cycling getting accepted Rules of the road