Group-Ride Etiquette
Riding is more fun when you ride with others! There’s no better source of motivation, networking, being social, sharing knowledge, and camaraderie than your fellow riders.
However, the prospect of joining a group ride for the first time can be intimidating. Worried that you might now know “the rules’ of a group ride? We’ve got you covered! Simply read the following suggestions.
Pick The Right Group Ride
Group rides and objectives vary. Finding out the group’s pace, distance, and goals will ensure that you join a ride that’s right for you. Is the ride social or a hammer fest? Is it considered a social ride, training ride, or a blood letting? How far will the group go? What route will the ride follow? Will the ride re-group at certain spots to let stragglers get back on? Are there any rest stops or fluid stops? Answer these questions before the ride so you don’t get yourself in over your head. If you are not sure what type of group ride you are getting yourself into, just ask.
Don’t Be Late
Many riders have busy schedules and want to get as much riding in as they can. So group rides typically start within minutes of the official starting time. If you’re late, you’ll miss the ride. Plus if you hold the group up there will be some impatient people and you’ll make a bad first impression. It is a good idea to arrive at least ten to fifteen minutes before the start of the ride so you can get your helmet and cycling shoes. Plus you want to get your bike reassembled and pump up your tires.
Communicate
Communication is key to a safe group rides. Road are full of traffic, rocks, signs, pot holes, parked cars, animals, pedestrians, etc. and visibility is limited for cyclist in a pack. It is important to communicate to the riders in the group of potential hazards by shouting out and pointing out hazards.
Warnings you’re likely to hear include:
- Car Back: there’s a car approaching from the rear of the group ride
- Car Up: there’s a car approaching from the front of the group ride
- Car right or left: car is approaching on the left of right of the group ride
- Rock or Pot Hole: there is a hazard in the road
- Walker up: there’s a pedestrian on the road ahead
- Biker up: there is a slower cyclist coming up
- PS: watch out for flying snot
Ride Cautiously and Considerately
Bikes are considered vehicles, just like cars and are required to obey the same traffic laws. You may want to read Bicycling and the Law: Your Rights as a Cyclist
Ride Smart & Be Safe
Group ride dynamics are interesting and ever changing. As the pace and terrain changes the pack stretches and compresses like a rubber band. You have to be alert at all times because rubber band effect of a group ride can cause some very tight quarters and even some occasional crashes.
To be safe it is important to ride smooth, don’t over react, avoid hard braking, be alert as to what is going on up the road in the front of the pack, and anticipate what traffic will do.
Inexperienced rides who panic and touch a wheel may crash or cause a crash. You can avoid problems by practicing these simples rules:
- Stay alert at all times.
- Hold your line.
- Don’t overlap wheels.
- Don’t look back!
- Relax!
- Focus on the rider(s) ahead.
- Beware of pot holes in the road.
- Don’t brake unless absolutely necessary.
- Pass carefully.
- Always move through the pace-line at a steady pace and maker sure you are clear of the front rider before pulling off.
Be Prepared
Always bring a tube, CO2 or a pump and the tools to change a flat. It also a good idea to bring some money on the longer rides because often group rides stop to fuel up. Bringing a cell phone is also good to have increase something happens and you need to call for help. Keep in mind that not all group rides stop when someone flats, so be prepared to ride alone if you flat.
Join The Fun!
Group rides are a blast! You get a great workout, push yourself harder than if riding alone, cover more distance, and get to hang out with fellow cyclists. There is nothing better than hanging out after a group ride to re-cap the ride. So don’t be intimidated! Get out there and ride and remember to RideStrong!!
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April 12th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Thus far, I haven’t joined group rides for some of the reasons you mentioned.
The ones my husband goes on sound like they are hammer fests. I’m not the fastest rider out there….We did decide to join a Critical Mass Ride one evening a few years ago. People showed up on every kind of bike you could imagine. And they rode SLOW. They had a guy who would stop traffic and let the entire pack get through an intersection. It was kind of cool. They also would wave and talk to folks as they cruised by ‘em. Very friendly. Sometimes, someone would ride along with our group for a few blocks, just because the riders spoke to them in a friendly manner and invited them to come along. It was different, and fun.
June 20th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
This reminds me when I started to cycle on the road. Finding the right group isn’t hard neither. All you have to be is open to your thoughts. Sometimes it can be hard to keep up if you don’t listen in, but when you listen in it will be really easy to fit in. Overall, it depends on you. This is great that you mention this here, thanks
July 5th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
You said very true Riding in a Group gives more fun, when rider in group most important thing is to Communication with your group riders, group riding makes rider to mature and experience exposure and riders can learn from each other. on of the best post.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:20 am
I always try to cycle in a group of friends but mostly in parks, forests or other non-car areas. Your tips seems reasonable and could be helpful. You are right that cycling with friends is best fun!
August 15th, 2011 at 11:09 am
The subject of “Cycling Etiquette ” has come up recently so i have added a few items to my blogs !
Please advise your thoughts on the subject or feel free to add additional links .