By Mike Munk, LAB Effective Cycling® Instructor
June 2000 Wheel Issues

As I sit here typing, I wish I were riding. It's a beautiful day, the temperature is mild, and the wind is light. But I don't have anyone to ride with right now, so I'm typing. Although cycling has its benefits and is relaxing and fun, it's always more pleasurable to ride with someone than to ride alone. However, riding with someone or riding in a group requires adherence to certain rules. It also requires skills that may take a little practice before mixing it up with the local club.

No one likes a squirrel in the pack so I thought I'd outline several common sense "rules" of etiquette to follow when we are out there enjoying the scenery with a group of friends. These "rules" will increase your enjoyment and safety whether you are just tootling along or if you are hammering in a fast paced training ride. You surely don't want to peel yourself off the pavement or cause someone else to be seriously injured by displaying poor riding habits. With this in mind, lets discuss some important issues!

1. Be predictable-This may be the most important rule and it involves every aspect of riding from changing positions in the group to following the traffic rules. You might say that all the other rules support this one. Smooth predictable riding isn't just a matter of style...it's survival!

Have you ever been on a ride where the group stops at an intersection and people scatter all over the lane? Some going through on the wrong side of the road and others turning left from the right side? Some running the stop sign and others doing it right? It's also confusing and irritating to drivers of vehicles as they approach a situation where cyclists are going in all different directions or just blowing through! Groups should maintain integrity when approaching intersections.

2. Don't overlap wheels-This habit will get you in real trouble. Some do it from lack of concentration, others may just not know any better, but sooner or later you'll crash.

3. Be steady-This includes speed and line. If the person behind you fails to adhere to #2, you will contribute to a crash if you wallow around all over the road. When everyone is working for the group, maintain a steady speed as you go to the front. Ever notice how easy it is to ride behind some folks? If you take note of their riding style you'll probably notice they don't yo-yo around in the pack. They are rock steady. When they are leading, they ride a straight line and their speed will be constant with the conditions. Sometimes steady doesn't mean speed. It means steady pressure on the pedals...uphill or downhill, headwind or tailwind. When you are following someone like this, life is good! When they are following, they don't make sudden moves or they know how to control their spacing by using their body position instead of using the brakes. Sudden braking will set off general alarms from everyone in the rear and make you very unpopular. If you do use the brakes, feather the front brake only and keep pedaling against the resistance. This allows you to moderate your speed without disturbing trailing riders

4. Announce hazards-When you are in the lead, you are responsible for the safety of everyone behind you. You will become very unpopular very quickly if people behind you keep bouncing off of potholes and running over rocks that you fail to point out. You also need to be very vocal when approaching intersections, slowing, stopping, or turning. Vocally warning the group that you are slowing for a turn will keep them out of your seat pack and upright to ride another day. Riders in the pack should relay these warnings to the rear. When you are following, announce oncoming traffic from the rear...in this case others should relay this info toward the front.

5. Signal-Signaling lets everyone (vehicles and riders) know your intentions. Remember #1? This makes you predictable. Also, it's a good idea to make eye contact with oncoming traffic at intersections. One note here, use your right arm straight out to signal a right turn. It's uncool to stick out your left arm; more importantly, it's ineffective. In a big group combine this with a loud vocal warning of your intentions.

6. Don't fixate-If you are staring at something (i.e., the wheel in front of you), you'll hit it! When you walk in a crowd, you don't stare at the back of the person in front of you so you shouldn't ride like that either. Learn to be comfortable looking around or through the riders ahead of you. This will allow you to see things that are developing in front of the group. With a little practice you will be able to "sense" how far you are off the wheel in front of you.

7. Stay off aerobars-This shouldn't require much discussion. One exception...when you are at the front pulling you can get away with it, but never, never, never when you are following a wheel. I know triathletes are more comfortable on the bars but sooner or later, if you're steering with your elbows instead of your hands in a group, you will add new meaning to the term "lunch on the road." Plus, it really tics off those behind you when you go down in a pack!

8. Don't leave stragglers- If you get separated at intersections, as a matter of courtesy, the lead group should soft pedal until the rest have rejoined. Also as a courtesy to those who may not be able to stay with the group, the pack should wait at certain points along the route to regroup. Especially, at turn points and if the stragglers don't know the route. No one should be left alone. Remember this is a group ride!

9. Know your limitations-If you're not strong enough or too tired to take a turn at the front, stay near the back and let the stronger cyclists pull in front of you instead of making them go to the back of the line. This will keep them from having to pass you when you create a gap. Also, don't pull at the front faster and longer than you have energy to get back in at the rear. Testosterone and ego is a volatile mix. Plus it can get you dropped in a heartbeat.

10. Change positions correctly-A common beginner faux pas is to stop pedaling just before pulling off the front. This creates an accordion effect toward the rear. Keep a steady pressure on the pedals until you have cleared the front. After pulling off, soft pedal and let the group pull through. As the last couple riders are passing through, begin to apply more pressure to smoothly take your position at the rear. If you don't time it correctly, you'll create a gap and have to sprint to get back on. A technique used to reenter the line is to move your bike sideways first then your body. Try it. It will feel awkward at first, but it is the safest way to move within a group. If you lean your body first and misjudge the speed or the person in front of you slows down, you'll touch wheels and be leaning the wrong way...bad situation! If you move the bike first, you will have a chance to pull it back.

11. Climbing-Ever been behind someone when they stood up going up hill and all of a sudden you were all over them? If you need to stand, shift up a gear to compensate for the slower cadence and stand up smoothly keeping a steady pressure on the pedals. This will keep you from moving backward relative to the rider behind you. Apply the opposite technique when changing to a sitting position. Downshift and keep a steady pressure on the pedals to avoid abrupt changes in speed.

12. Descending-The leader must overcome a much greater wind resistance as the speed increases. If you are leading, keep pedaling. If you don't, everyone behind you will eat your lunch. Riders to the rear will accelerate faster downhill as drafting becomes more effective. If you are following, back off a couple of bike lengths to compensate for the greater affects of drafting. If you are closing on the rider in front, sit up and let the wind slow you or use light braking to maintain spacing, but in both cases you should keep pedaling against the resistance. Keeping your legs moving not only makes it easier to keep the spacing, but also helps the legs get rid of the acid build up from the previous climb.

13. Relax-This one is really important. It will allow you to be smooth and responsive. If you have tense arms and get bumped from the side, the shock will go directly to the front wheel and you will swerve and possibly crash. Plus if you are tense, you are using energy you need to pedal your bike and keep up with the group. You might be labeled a "Fred" if you wear clothing that doesn't match or you still use clip pedals and downtube shifters, but you'll be a valued member of the group if you practice these riding techniques.

Riding in a group can be fun and exhilarating. It can also be safe if everyone knows and follows the rules.

Happy cycling!. Mike Munk