Have you got any top tips for riding in a group? Let us know in the comments!

@hoebertrabeck1621

Жыл бұрын

my tip: grow up in the "westmünsterland" no public transport and flat terrain will teach you a lot about riding your bike and especially about wind :)

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

@@hoebertrabeck1621 As long as you're riding the tailwind on the way home! 🚴‍♀💨

@ricksnyder6318

Жыл бұрын

Don't stop pedalling in the paceline....Alex.....

@maartends6051

Жыл бұрын

Dont half wheel…

@maartends6051

Жыл бұрын

In my club we have 5 groups of different distance and speed, that way everyone can enjoy. We ride on sunday mornings and in summer Wednesday evening as wel (not as long) on Wednesday we sometimes average more than 36kp/h

be predictable

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

Very good advice - don't make any sudden manoeuvres if you can avoid it!

@FixedundFertig

Жыл бұрын

whoow ! Cam Nicholls RCA Training Tips on GCN ? NICE 😜 And yes ! that is really key ! I've done my first Group ride with friends last year and we communicated definitely too little. Endet in a little crash . We all laughed about it ( so no damages) but it could have been avoided ^^

@nepoleonbonaparte3086

Жыл бұрын

Dont use a fixie 💀

@FixedundFertig

Жыл бұрын

@@nepoleonbonaparte3086 hmm yeah 👉👈 we've been doing this on Fixed Gear 😅 ( but with Front & Rear brakes! it's law enforced here in Germany ) and you WANT the brakes ! trust me ^^ these old people in SUV's are killing machines 😅

@mmmbetter55

Жыл бұрын

And be communicative! No-one is gonna fault you for calling out every pothole you see, every right and left turn, every car behind, every time you're slowing down.

Riding in a group is the essence of cycling. Riding solo is cool, and for some of us it’s all we can do. But very few things compare to being in a group and flying along. Everything about it … the whirr of the bikes, the way the air flows over and around you, the speed… is a special feeling that got me hooked on this crazy sport some 40 years back.

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

Such a cool feeling!

@davidnesbitt8673

Ай бұрын

I agree the best

Understand your role in the group. For instance, when you work your way to the front of the pace line don't use it as an opportunity to show everyone what a strongman you are. That'll put the group under stress, stretch it out, and needlessly create chaos on a "friendly" ride.

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

Don't do a "Hank", in other words.... 👀

@gregmuon

Жыл бұрын

Speeding up when your pull at the front comes up is the classic rookie mistake. Don't do it.

my first group ride is tomorrow! love gcn and their timing

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome, you're going to have so much fun!

@pompeymonkey3271

Жыл бұрын

Have fun! :)

@superstar5123

Жыл бұрын

The group ride was very fun! Will be doing it again. I rode with Social Cycling NYC, recommend them! Thurs rides every week free!

Everybody does the climb in their preferred tempo and at the top we wait for everyone. Thats how we do it

Most clubs will have different levels for riders of different abilities. Start group rides with the slower groups and work your way up as you get more confident and develop your group skills and fitness. There will usually be someone experienced leading the slower groups helping teach the signals and phrases used to communicate safely and effectively. Quite often different groups of the same club will follow the same route so if you get dropped from a faster group, you get swept up by a slower one coming up behind so you don't need to worry about riding alone.

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

It's all about building up your confidence at your own pace, and following really experienced riders is a great way to do this!

I cycle a lot in a rural area because that's where I live and work. Just a heads up to groups from towns who ride groups through rural communities - your leisure is taking place where people live and need to work. Have some respect for them needing to get around and don't hog the whole road for miles. Riding three or four abreast down narrow lanes with a queue of traffic stuck behind you isn't clever or courteous. It doesn't help cycling and frankly as a cyclist I am embarrassed by how some riders behave in rural areas.

This was a great video guys. I never done group rides, but gives me some perspective on what to expect if I ever do. Thanks!

I'm trying to work up to an endurance to ride in a group and this helped remind me how it works. It's been a lot of years since I was group riding. Thanks for posting and the humor in the video!

This is by far the best real-life explanation of paceline formation. You earned yourself a new subscriber!

Super advice! When I started club riding, it was with the local CTC (Portsmouth DA). The two-by-two discipline and communication was superb. It was so easy to just become part of a group that was working so well together. 🚴🚴🚴🚴

wow right on cue since Im' doing my first group ride next month! Thanks!

Ride with your fingers on the brakes 100% of the time. Guage your positioning off of the rider in front of the rider in front of you. Pedal metronomically and continously without ceasing (even if, and while, you are braking) while continously modifying your forward/backward momentum with slightly lighter or harder pedaling in conjunction with lightly feathered braking or lack of. Stay perfectly in the sheltered line of air, whether it is straight on, or offset by crosswind. Work on being as steady and as smooth as you can at all times, with every move you make. You goal is to never brake, and to never pedal easier, or harder, or be caught off pace even in the slightest way. You will find it is almost amazing how easy it is to continously pedal once you are perfectly balanced in your forward and backward momentum, even at high speeds. It really is a game of attention and articulation.

Ollie: “Eeeeazzyyyy!” That shriek took me out🫣😂😂

Unwritten rule of group riding (for road clubs): Racers tagging along and usually the strongest riders should be up the front not pushing hard, but doing longer turns AND at the back so that they can assist a struggling rider. Ideally you want the fastest rider in the club at the back. They can drop off the back and pace falling riders back on if need be. It also acts as a safely if the group splits at lights and not everyone has the GPX route loaded. - Wolf pack order. Waiting on climbs if the pack decides to have a mutually-agreed dig up a section is also a must.

@pompeymonkey3271

Жыл бұрын

What's GPX? ;) All we had were maps!

@AlbertBuckinghamEllison

Жыл бұрын

@@pompeymonkey3271 you've given me a hit of nostalgia, when I used to ride about with a cut-out page of a Surrey OS map in my back pocket!

@pompeymonkey3271

Жыл бұрын

@@AlbertBuckinghamEllison I have, right in front of me, a laminated photocopy of a road map. It's about 4 by 6 inches (oddly enough a size that fits jersey pockets nicely...). Over both sides, the corners are roughly: Stockbridge, Haslemere, , Lymington and Bognor. I made it over 20 years ago, and it would cover 99% of my local rides! And it weighs 7 grammes....

Ollie is having fun in the group!

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

They ALL were!

Thank you, I'm watching this after my first begginer group ride but it's helped instill the information and pick up things I saw but didn't understand.

@gcn

5 ай бұрын

Brilliant - hopefully it helps out next time you're out with the group

Thanks GCN! This is a very important topic for new riders. Keep safe everyone!

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

Hope you found it useful

Definitely remember to be mindful on corners. That fishtail effect gets worse as you get faster so consistency out of corners is key

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

Top tip!

@notreally2406

Жыл бұрын

3 second rule. Lead riders soft pedal for 3 seconds exiting turns to keeps the other in the sweet spot.

Love that new-ish Orbea Alex. Super clean paint job. Very cool.

Some really nice bikes in the group. Helpfull tips as well.

BMX’er here. Riding BMX is always something I do with friends. Big group of us out at the trails or wherever. Since moving away I haven’t really found a scene like I had before. So I started riding road bikes as a way to be on a bike ( my happy place). But it’s something I do by myself really. I’ve since sold my car and sole transportation is my bikes. Really liked the video because I didn’t know most of the things you went over in it and I certainly wouldn’t want to be THAT GUY! Good work guys love the Chanel, you’ve taught me a lot over the past year. Cheers

Good one. Empathy helps with riding along properly.

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

Take care of each other, and the ride will take care of itself!

Ollie is such a great sport. Thanks for this! I wish I knew this a couple of years ago!

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

Did he managed to go a whole video without getting dropped?

Incognito Bridgewood not getting dropped.. impressive

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

EASYYYYYYYYYY!!

@Kimberly_Sparkles

Жыл бұрын

@@gcn he shrieked like a man told there’d be no cake at the cafe. Or maybe that’s just how I shriek when I hear that….

Joining a cycling club was how I learned BITD, and it's still a good idea. Learn first how to do a single paceline, then a double paceline. After that, more casual group riding will be easy. Riding rollers is good skill and it will help both with balance and learning to ride a very straight line. Newbies (including me) were often told to go ride the rollers until they could ride a 3" stripe indefinitely.

"EASY!!!!!" LOL! Love that Ollie was "volunteered" to be the rider to call this out first. Nice to know that most of my local club actually follows pretty much all of these things.

Good vid with the basics. We try very hard not to use voice commands, use hand signals for almost everything when possible. With the noise from the wind/cars/or riders with hearing loss, its impossible to hear clearly. Also, at intersections with stop signs, its up to every individual rider to determine when they cross. No yelling 'clear'. It may take me longer to get through than someone else. Lastly, we recommend when following another rider, follow with a 1/2 wheel gap, and offset (left side or right) from their back wheel, and look forward, you will be able to see beyond the rider directly in front of you plus the road clearly. Love group rides :)

Must have been a fun one to film. Funny to have Ollie make a cameo just to shout EASY

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

Shout?! He screamed it for dear life!

Solo riders; also shout ‘pothole’ and point at horse manure/other hazards - drivers will think you’re insane and not challenge you to an angry conversation at the next junction. Top tip that.

Perfect timing! I recently started riding with a group and I was very nervous of making a mistake and causing an accident by being too close. I saw the older GCN videos on riding in a pace-line and those helped enormously. Luckily the group I ride with has been patient and been showing me the ropes. So take this from someone new to group rides, it takes time but it gets better. Safe riding.

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

Hope you found it helpful!

@roaming_ren3972

Жыл бұрын

@@gcn I did, thank you!

I’m happy that my local group ride does all of the above on our rides. Different ability groups. Fast, intermediate and social. At least I know the route for each Saturday when I get shelled from the fast group 🤣

Good video, it covers a lot of important stuff but 5-10 minutes on the front seems like a very long pull, even when riding a more casual century/fondo pace. If my group has similarly fit riders, we rotate at

Really helpful ! Thank you

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome! We're glad it was helpful!

Yes, please!! Thanks.

good to see Alex ride again safely.

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

Notice everyone giving him a particularly wide berth 👀

I was trying to figure out where i recognised that route and chain fence from. wasnt it the place where hank, alex and manon tried a duathlon with mark and heather a year or two ago?

I felt that it's safer to ride in a single line in the U.S than creating double lines. Since the cycling lanes are usually quite narrow and cars are driving aggressively and fast here.

I need to learn the hand signals.

Hank's cycle is lit🔥

Was Ollie inside all the while??? 06:00 It's like the spotting the gorilla while counting the basketball passes attention video.

Thanks to all the advice I’ve taken from GCN on lowering rolling resistance and getting more aero, I now struggle to keep myself within the group as I seem to roll faster everywhere 🤣 #alwaysonthebrakesnow

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

You've become TOO powerful! We love that!

@richcrompton6891

Жыл бұрын

@@gcn 🤣 If only that were the case! I just roll too well now! I'm faster doing nothing but freewheeling?! All those marginal and relatively inexpensive gains, do add up!

@mmmbetter55

Жыл бұрын

It's definitely a skill to modulate your speed with your position (sit up = less aero = slow down) and your cadence; also, you always want to use your brakes conservatively in a group. Feather, don't grab.

@richcrompton6891

Жыл бұрын

@@mmmbetter55 exactly. I'm on rim brakes too, so I have to make sure where I am in relation to anyone with decent disc brakes! More comfortable in front of them if it all goes downhill and twisty! I'll sit up a bit more and probably swap my stem back to something less 'sporty'. Narrower bars, latex tubes and GP5000s will be staying though!

Nice! BY THE WAY: Critical Mass Ride is a world-wide, monthly bicycle advocacy ride at 7 p.m, your time, the last Friday of the month in a location near you. If one cannot be found near you, grab some cyclists and START one. There is nothing like riding with other like-minded folks.

Sitting down and watching this video on youtube = Saving 100% effort

Doing my first group ride tomorrow 😬

If you cycle solo you can: 1. Go whatever speed you want. 2. Can't blame anybody else for an expensive or injuring crash. 3. Don't need to listen to boring conversations. 4. Go on whatever route you want. 5. Don't have to cycle to the pace of the slowest [or quickest] rider. 6. Don't have to stop when other people want. 7. I cycle for exercise and stamina training - I don't want to slipstream to make things easy ! 8. Been group and solo riding - solo is best [for me].

@richardhaselwood9478

Жыл бұрын

Solo is fine, but some of us enjoy being out on group rides with our riding buddies

1:38 Check your local rules. Where I live, it is ILLEGAL to ride in 2 rows or more unless you are in a closed road event. The etiquette around here is to split the group into smaller groups but you often see looooong train of cyclists in bike lanes, which is really annoying and dangerous.

What decorum should groups allow for individual cyclists? I spent a bit of time behind a group that rode 2, 3, and even sometimes 4, wide and they appeared to be more interested in their conversation than cycling.

Has anyone mentioned to “flick” your elbow or say “I’m off” when coming off the front? Super important to let people know you’re off and not just avoiding a pothole or debris.

You covered the smells, spitting and snot rockets, but what do you do about the rider that sweats so much it flicks off and riding behind is like riding in the rain?

Lads there one very very important thing ye miss out cycling in a group is cars behind you and coming down towards you. Very important when your cycling in group

Why was there no mention of elbow flicks for letting the next rider take over, or hand signals for slowing down? Also, when group riding the etiquette of slowing down at yellow lights, and not trying to beat the red.

How do you get 60/65% effort saved? I’ve watched every other GCN video about drafting and the biggest saving, according to Ollie, is 5th wheel, but it wasn’t as high as 60% I don’t think. Other biggest saving was if you’re in the middle of a peloton but I’m assuming that’s discounted as this is group riding?

When riding with side wind, don't let riders struggle on the edge of the road at the back of the echelon. Get a strong rider to start a 2nd echelon.

I used to really look forward to group rides. Then someone invented the "Strava Segment". When every hill, town sign, flat, descent is someones chance for a K/Qom its really hard to keep a group together.

Nice guys:)

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comment! We're glad you enjoyed the video :)

I wish i can ride in group. Sadly i live in a small town where cyclist are mostly old people with their mtb or kids with their bmx

There is the old "If you can't keep up don't come out" rule. Also one of our lads once advised a guest native Polish speaker to "take a mile off ", I'm not sure that actually makes sense in English !

Ok you guys having me saying Aliminium, having afternoon tea at 4. If I start riding on the wrong side of the road, my friends will think I’ve lost it.😂

Does this advice also apply when you're riding with just one other person? I'm disabled, and often ride my tricycle with one of my assistants who'll ride a regular bicycle with me.

@prestachuck2867

Жыл бұрын

Yes. Ride predictably, point out hazards, switch places often whenever you are fighting the wind, and do not drop your ride mate(s).

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

Hi Eri, yes they should be pointing out hazards and warning you of potential dangers. Again, it's just about being comfortable with who you're riding with, and building up that confidence! Happy riding! :D

Why do I feel like I am going to see this vid show up in the 2022 bloopers reel

Somebody please give Alex a cake!

I avoid riding in groups in Singapore like the plague....a raft of covid born cyclists running with new roadie starter kit (Specilaized/canyon/trek - with PNS/Rapha) are a fricking nightmare on certain segments here. If i get caught up in a random pack then I back off til I can extract myself from that half wheeling erratic mess....

I remember once I was riding in a group and I got a very loud puncture with a "PSSSSSSSSH" sound. So I start swearing very loudly, just shouting as many swear words as came to mind (there were a lot), and everyone in the group understand. It was all very well coordinated because of clear communication.

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

That's what we like to see. Clear communication

When following look at a fixed point like where the seat post meets the frame allows you to ride closer with more confidence rather than following the moving wheel. For the people I’ve suggested this to it has made riding in a group less stressful

@notreally2406

Жыл бұрын

No. You look through the rider in front of you and merely mark them peripherally. DO NOT look directly at anything on the rider in front of you, it's too close.

@irinag9925

Жыл бұрын

Bad advice! You should always look up and ahead and register the groups move as a whole.

Most of these tips apply to leisure cycling groups too.

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely! It doesn't have to be fast or slow, group etiquette is the same!

Group rides can be enjoyable if you and your buddies share the same pace and no one's lagging behind. The weakest rider always has a problem, like developing cramps or getting lost because he can't keep up and ends up taking the wrong way. But the group always saves him because you don't have the stomach to leave the guy behind.

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

We always feel the same way with Bridgewood 🤷‍♂️

Riding in a group-- that used to be going on the club run on a Sunday 10am to 6-7pm .Anything from 6 to 10 or 12 people riding in two’s. Usually got 70-80miles and in the summer 100-120 miles in. Everybody stayed together. Everybody gave hands signals to let other traffic know what’s going on. Setting a pace and maintained for everyone ,especially on hills . A cafe stop. A lunch stop, and maybe another stop heading home. Mudguards ,lights , saddle bag ( that’s a proper touring saddle bag, not the little pouches they call saddle bags now) or musette ( buttie bag). Everybody enjoyed it , relaxed, happy and refreshed. On many Sundays you would see 5 or more other clubs out .you knew virtually all other clubs and the people in them. Alls I hear from your people is ‘Speed’ low , front end , heart rate , power readings , these tyres roll better , new kit , new bikes , more aero. Faster,faster, you all look like the archetypal cafe racers posing on your bikes. Does my kit match my bike colour . Do these glasses look cool. You’re all brainwashed and don’t realize it . You’re so funny, and so sad.

Minutos 5:54. Eeeeeasyyyyy ! Lol epic (me)

Break large groups into smaller ones. Sharing the road means making it safe for everyone. Our area has started to see massive groups come through with no regard to traffic laws or common sense. It’s only a matter of time until someone is hurt or killed 😞

Rule number 1. Don't give any space between your front wheel and the wheel you're following. This ensures maximum watt savage. Rule number 2. Sprint for every single town line. This helps with becoming a faster rider, as well as letting your mates know you're better than them. Rule number 3. Constantly check your mates reflexes by brake checking them and elbowing them at random moments of the ride. This helps your mates with bike handling skills, it will also help you too. Rule Number 4. The cyclist always has the right of way, run every red light and stop sign you must, cars should stop no matter what. Rule number 5. Drop the group on every single hill. If you're not dropping your mates in the first 5km, what's the point of group rides? Rule Number 6. Show up in the dirtiest and stinkiest kit ever. This will make sure you don't have anybody following your wheel. Also don't wear deodorant, that will really seal the deal to make sure you're not giving any advantages!

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

"The Alternative Rules of the Group Ride"

@kevinlannon5354

Жыл бұрын

This is pure gold

For some reason I could really go for a coffee

durianrider and GCN in one Video great 🤣👍

I've ridden alone for nearly 40 years. These days everyone who passes me is younger, and their pace is too fast for me to hang with.

hahaha the most replayed at 5:51

Bring a means to pay for the drinks/cake. Offer to buy a round. Everybody will like having you in the group and ensure you aren't dropped!

Phil looks about 4 times your size, Hank. I'd keep quiet if I were you.

Only ever road ride alone, just me and my efforts against the elements...jesus I didn't realise how much cheating was involved in group rides, double the distance for half the effort ha ha...and as an E-MTBer also I find this quite ironic...pedal assist= cheat....aero assist=fine....

Aside: Is Hank ever going to get a good looking bike? The current yellow-red monster hurt in my eyes

Hold onto their saddle 100% savings

5:55 Trying to figure out if Ollie was the class boffin 🤓or class clown 🤡, thoughts!?

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

DOCTOR Oliver Bridgewood may have been the class boffins, but he definitely had his moments ;)

If there will be any drafting, you must have a short safety meeting before the ride, and be clear that any lead rider will be watchful for obstacles and debris, and steer the group away from road dangers and point out any holes, rocks, cracks, go over the hand signals. Do not assume this will just happen. A lead rider in a fast group I was riding with didn't point out or avoid a rock, which took down rider number 2, and put me over his bike, and then an ambulance ride to the ER. I am now 6 weeks past that crash with multiple fractures etc, including a back injury (pain most of every day), probably 6 more weeks before I can ride outside (hopefully), most likely I will never race at the level I did a few months ago.

Of course you had to get Ollie to shout "Easy" to stop him getting dropped...

Riding in a group is a rare thing for a reason. They tend to behave in an exclusive manner. So groups of men. For example. Probably why you see so few groups on the road.

If you go on a 'Bash', and drop off the back, they won't slow for you. You're on your own. If you go on a 'Club run', gent's Bit-and-Bit on the front, ladies follow and juniors are on the back.

Get struggling riders to ride just behind the 'pacemakers' of the group. Because If you leave them dangling at the back, they will have to sprint after each corner to keep up.

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

Placing a strong rider towards the back to look after everyone can also be helpful

Poor Phil.

Don't let the same people always pay for the coffee

Ollie is just hanging around

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

Hanging around the back of the group 👀

Phil looks like his knees must hurt, those feet are turned all the way in.

@pompeymonkey3271

Жыл бұрын

Some people just ride like that! :)

I prefer not to ride near other cyclist who looks riding so clumsy. better be safe and rather away than being friendly and close dangerous.

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

A part of it is definitely having confidence in the riders around you, as well as your own ability.

Joining a group with Carbon Wheels and rim brakes oh man the stares you get 😂.

Farting is always funny...

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

Unless you're the rider behind the farter 🥴

@Kimberly_Sparkles

Жыл бұрын

@@gcn I mean. Isn’t the wind gone with the wind?

Group riding on perfect asphalt and no traffic.. sounds easy. Riding on real rough roads that look like shit, have 1 inch wide cracks and potholes. Not so easy.

If you are the rider lagging behind and your group waits at the top of climbs, is it rude not to stop yourself but rather push on for a gap while they try to recover from KOM attempts?

@jamesainsworth5711

Жыл бұрын

I think that is OK. Just let them know as you pass that you need to keep going. Most people understand that continuous starting and stopping can be tough and keeping your momentum is the easier thing to do. I also think that those waiting will be eager to get moving again, so if they see you ride through they will be happy to be on the move again.

Another rule to add: Draft behind the largest strong rider in the group.

@gcn

Жыл бұрын

There's a reason 6'8 Conor is always on the front!

The only rule that everyone has to follow is dont use a fixie

@pompeymonkey3271

Жыл бұрын

Fixies were common in winter group rides in the eighties and nineties. With brakes fitted though! :)

In our group there's a fine line between "half wheeling" and "driving the bunch", it all depends how fit you are.

Wear Gloves.