The group accelerates and your focus narrows to the thin slice of rubber spinning inches from your front wheel. You shift into a heavier gear and grind your chainrings to match the pace. You dodge a pothole then move to the front of the bunch. The rider beside you grimaces. Moving over to the white line, you push harder on the pedals. Your legs burn and your throat is dry. Still, you drive on, not wanting to be the first to let off. A corner approaches. Without hesitation, you cut to the inside, fly recklessly through the turn, and sprint out as hard as you can.
If this situation reminds you of your regular group ride, you and your fellow riders may be missing the point. In the scenario, the riders aren’t working together. Instead, they form an unsafe collection of cyclists on the road. Group riding is a collective effort that can, and should, be one of the most enjoyable ways that you can spend time on your bicycle. Here are a few tips to make future bunch rides better and safer experiences for everyone involved.
Relax
If this situation reminds you of your regular group ride, you and your fellow riders may be missing the point. In the scenario, the riders aren’t working together. Instead, they form an unsafe collection of cyclists on the road. Group riding is a collective effort that can, and should, be one of the most enjoyable ways that you can spend time on your bicycle. Here are a few tips to make future bunch rides better and safer experiences for everyone involved.
Look ahead
If your vision is fixed directly in front of you, say, on someone’s rear wheel, you are blind to upcoming obstacles, changes in direction and movements of the pack. Focus well ahead so that you can take in everything happening around you and anticipate your next move in good time. Use your peripheral vision to manage your immediate space.
Spin
It is difficult to react to accelerations and decelerations if you are using heavy gears. With lighter gears, you can make adjustments in pace quickly and efficiently while saving valuable muscle strength. You’re also able to make finer adjustments in pace without surging amongst your colleagues and disrupting the flow of the group.
Communicate
If riders fail to relay important information, the others cannot react accordingly. Each rider is part of a cohesive whole and needs to point out obstructions and turns.
Maintain a manageable pace
Half wheeling is a perennial trap…
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