GROUP CYCLING ETIQUETTE
These are guidelines which deal with etiquette while riding with a group of cyclists. There are many unwritten rules, techniques and traditions associated with cycling in a group. The group has language and signals that help to ensure the safety of all the riders. New riders will learn the methods of safe group riding by listening to more experienced cyclists and by watching what happens during the group spin.
SUMMARY:
The following tips should help you while you are gaining experience.
SAFETY:
The first and foremost consideration in all group cycles must be safety. Everything we do must have the safety of yourself and everyone in the group as first priority.
SHOUTS / SIGNALS:
Those at the front of the group are the eyes for the rest of the group who haven’t got a clear view of what’s coming, for this section we will call them the lead riders not to be confused with Group Captains / Group Leaders.
Lead riders should use hand signals to indicate stopping or turning and should shout back information to the group regarding obstacles and dangers. Lead riders should act as the eyes of the group and its important when on the front should concentrate on upcoming obstacles. These include potholes, drains, speed ramps, parked cars, opening car doors, dangerous surfaces, tight bends, animals, pedestrians, oncoming traffic, wet or icy road surface, etc.
The obstacle should be called in relation to the group not your bike so “left” is left of group position and “middle” is middle of group position.
Riders at the back should shout a warning on traffic approaching from the rear, particularly on narrow roads.
The calls for cars and other traffic can vary from club to club.
We tend to use ‘car back’ for a car approaching rear of group and ‘car on’ for a car travelling towards you.
There are other calls for car a, a traditional one was ‘car-down’ from in front (down your throat) and ‘‘car-up’ from behind.
In larger groups it is important the members repeat the call so that others can hear, either from front to back, or back to the front.
Where a car is approaching on a narrow road and it is safe to allow the car to pass, the group should endeavour to ‘tidy up’ by keeping in to the side and in neat line.
SITTING ON A WHEEL:
This is where you get the most protection from the wind, for new riders it is a skill that can take some time to master but it is important. Do not allow a gap to open between you and the rider in front. Cyclists save a huge amount of energy by following in the slipstream of the rider in front. Keep looking well ahead to spot hazards and terrain changes.
Maintain a steady straight line and, if a gap opens between you and the rider in front and you are struggling to close it, wave on the rider behind.
ROLL THROUGH:
The group generally rides in two abreast formations. Pair off in twos and rotate at the front every couple of minutes or so.
As it is about 20-30% harder to be on the front as a wind breaker, then it is good etiquette to take turns. The simplest way to do this is “roll through”. The rider on the front right will cycle
in front of the rider on his left and then pull in to the left in front of the rider. This will be the same the whole way down the bunch.
The frequency of rotation depends on the size of the group, the weather, pace, etc. Riders will often call ‘roll through’ to indicate that the riders at the front should rotate, don’t be lazy and take your turn at the front, everyone appreciates it! If you cannot participate, go to the back and do not interrupt the line of riders.
The amount of time spent on the front will vary according to conditions and the intensity of the spin. A time of about 5 minute is sufficient on winter spins. If you are feeling very tired, reduce that time on the front by calling “roll through”. When riding into a strong wind it can be a good idea to shorten the time spent on the front so that the lead riders don’t get tired.
BRAKES:
Brakes should be used sparingly. Both brakes should be pulled but not slammed on, if you must brake inform the group by saying “braking” or “slowing”. Try to avoid obstacles whilst still moving. Shout a warning. Riders behind cannot see what you see and jamming on your brakes is a sure way to cause a collision. No sudden movements. Be predictable with all your actions. Avoid braking or changing direction suddenly.
Likewise, don’t get out of the saddle abruptly, it could cause the rider behind to hit you, indicate to others that you are getting out of the saddle by saying “Standing”.
SPEED / PACE:
No showboating. When you come through for your turn at the front maintain a consistent speed. When you pull over, keep close to the rider you are replacing. On a hill keep your effort, rather than speed, consistent. Match your pace to the rider alongside you and do not stick your wheel ahead.
Be smooth with your turns at the front of the group. Avoid surges. Stay alongside and don’t increase the pace to move a half wheel ahead of the rider alongside. He/she will have to speed up to maintain the two-by-two formation and the speed will escalate unnecessarily.
Don’t sprint up to take your turn at the front. Move up smoothly with a small increase in pace and ease that pace ever so slightly when you move alongside.
Do not ride extra hard when you feel good. You are part of a group and must maintain the general pace. Give others a helping push when they are struggling and accept one graciously if offered. We all have bad days!
Know your own limits:
If you are tired or unable to ride relatively comfortably on the front, go to the back, do not ride through unless you can complete a turn at the front. Overextending yourself can lead to tiredness and poor decisions while trying to keep and also to being dropped and the group having to wait to look after you.
Be Prepared:
Bring drinks, bars and some money. This will buy some food & drink in case of emergency. Always bring two bottles and plenty of food on a long spin. Start eating after about an hour. The golden rule is to eat ‘little and often’. Don’t wait until coffee stop for refuelling if you are hungry then it’s probably too late.
Always ensure that your bike is in good order before EVERY spin, tyres are properly inflated, brakes working, chain oiled, gears functioning.
Bring two spare tubes, tyre levers and a pump. A multi tool can be useful too. Bring your mobile phone in case you get stranded.
Downhill:
If you are on the front of a bunch, going downhill, do not freewheel, but keep turning the gear and often put it in the big ring. The reason for this is that the riders behind you in your slip stream will be travelling faster than you and hence have to keep braking, which disturbs the natural rhythm of the bunch.
When descending you should leave a bigger gap between you and the wheel in front for a safety
Hill climbing:
On club runs keep the pace steady on hills. The group may split on the way up, which is fine the group should regroup at the top. Or instead of waiting, the stronger cyclists can spin back down to the last cyclist and join in at the back and encourage others up.
Turning:
When turning right or left and you are heading the bunch, shout “turning left, or “turning right” and put out your hand to signal. The others behind you should do the same all the way down the bunch, in order to let traffic behind the group, know of the group’s intentions.
Traffic Management:
Please be mindful of all other road users and ensure the group is not creating a build-up of traffic, if this happens the ride captain should ask the group to pull in at the earliest and safest location to allow the traffic to pass. Likewise, when cycling please remember that you are representing the club and be respectful to all other road users
Enjoy and have fun!
Adhere to the rules of the road –they’re there for a reason – to protect you and others. Take guidance from your ride captain and remember you’re representing the club when you’re out on club spins.
There further information available here
https://www.cyclingireland.ie/downloads/cirideleader-guidetocyclingontheroad.pdf
SUMMARY:
- Safety – The first priority, be safe for you and everyone in the group
- Shouts / Signals - Shout out and signal hazards, pass it through the group
- Sitting on a wheel – shelter in the line, keep close
- Roll Though – two a breast, take turns at the front
- Brakes – brake sparingly, no sudden movements
- Speed / Pace – keep a consistent speed, be smooth
- Know you limits – if you’re struggling to take a turn, go to the back
- Be Prepared – Bring food and drink, check you bike before each spin
- Downhill – Keep pedalling, don’t freewheel, increase the gap
- Hill climbing – steady pace, splits are normal, regroup at the top
- Turning – call the turn and hand signal
- Traffic Management – stop and let any traffic build-up though
- Rules of the Road – follow them all
- Enjoy – have fun, if we don’t finish up with a smile the we’re doing something wrong.
The following tips should help you while you are gaining experience.
SAFETY:
The first and foremost consideration in all group cycles must be safety. Everything we do must have the safety of yourself and everyone in the group as first priority.
- You are responsible for the safety of everyone in the group and not just your own. Be aware that your actions will affect all the cyclists in the group.
- Keep into the left-hand side of the road.
- Don’t overlap wheels. A slight direction change by the rider in front could easily catch you out. If you ‘touch wheels’ with the rider in front it’s tough to keep upright.
- Make sure to keep pedalling downhill when you are at the front of the group so that the riders behind don’t bunch up behind you. It can be a bit fraught if everyone must reach for their brakes.
- When climbing hills, avoid following a wheel too closely. Many riders often lose their momentum when rising out of the saddle on a hill which can cause a sudden deceleration. This can often catch a rider who is following too closely, resulting in a fall from a wheel touch.
- Don’t panic if you brush shoulders, hands or bars with another rider. Try to stay relaxed in your upper body to absorb any bumps.
SHOUTS / SIGNALS:
Those at the front of the group are the eyes for the rest of the group who haven’t got a clear view of what’s coming, for this section we will call them the lead riders not to be confused with Group Captains / Group Leaders.
Lead riders should use hand signals to indicate stopping or turning and should shout back information to the group regarding obstacles and dangers. Lead riders should act as the eyes of the group and its important when on the front should concentrate on upcoming obstacles. These include potholes, drains, speed ramps, parked cars, opening car doors, dangerous surfaces, tight bends, animals, pedestrians, oncoming traffic, wet or icy road surface, etc.
The obstacle should be called in relation to the group not your bike so “left” is left of group position and “middle” is middle of group position.
Riders at the back should shout a warning on traffic approaching from the rear, particularly on narrow roads.
The calls for cars and other traffic can vary from club to club.
We tend to use ‘car back’ for a car approaching rear of group and ‘car on’ for a car travelling towards you.
There are other calls for car a, a traditional one was ‘car-down’ from in front (down your throat) and ‘‘car-up’ from behind.
In larger groups it is important the members repeat the call so that others can hear, either from front to back, or back to the front.
Where a car is approaching on a narrow road and it is safe to allow the car to pass, the group should endeavour to ‘tidy up’ by keeping in to the side and in neat line.
SITTING ON A WHEEL:
This is where you get the most protection from the wind, for new riders it is a skill that can take some time to master but it is important. Do not allow a gap to open between you and the rider in front. Cyclists save a huge amount of energy by following in the slipstream of the rider in front. Keep looking well ahead to spot hazards and terrain changes.
Maintain a steady straight line and, if a gap opens between you and the rider in front and you are struggling to close it, wave on the rider behind.
ROLL THROUGH:
The group generally rides in two abreast formations. Pair off in twos and rotate at the front every couple of minutes or so.
As it is about 20-30% harder to be on the front as a wind breaker, then it is good etiquette to take turns. The simplest way to do this is “roll through”. The rider on the front right will cycle
in front of the rider on his left and then pull in to the left in front of the rider. This will be the same the whole way down the bunch.
The frequency of rotation depends on the size of the group, the weather, pace, etc. Riders will often call ‘roll through’ to indicate that the riders at the front should rotate, don’t be lazy and take your turn at the front, everyone appreciates it! If you cannot participate, go to the back and do not interrupt the line of riders.
The amount of time spent on the front will vary according to conditions and the intensity of the spin. A time of about 5 minute is sufficient on winter spins. If you are feeling very tired, reduce that time on the front by calling “roll through”. When riding into a strong wind it can be a good idea to shorten the time spent on the front so that the lead riders don’t get tired.
BRAKES:
Brakes should be used sparingly. Both brakes should be pulled but not slammed on, if you must brake inform the group by saying “braking” or “slowing”. Try to avoid obstacles whilst still moving. Shout a warning. Riders behind cannot see what you see and jamming on your brakes is a sure way to cause a collision. No sudden movements. Be predictable with all your actions. Avoid braking or changing direction suddenly.
Likewise, don’t get out of the saddle abruptly, it could cause the rider behind to hit you, indicate to others that you are getting out of the saddle by saying “Standing”.
SPEED / PACE:
No showboating. When you come through for your turn at the front maintain a consistent speed. When you pull over, keep close to the rider you are replacing. On a hill keep your effort, rather than speed, consistent. Match your pace to the rider alongside you and do not stick your wheel ahead.
Be smooth with your turns at the front of the group. Avoid surges. Stay alongside and don’t increase the pace to move a half wheel ahead of the rider alongside. He/she will have to speed up to maintain the two-by-two formation and the speed will escalate unnecessarily.
Don’t sprint up to take your turn at the front. Move up smoothly with a small increase in pace and ease that pace ever so slightly when you move alongside.
Do not ride extra hard when you feel good. You are part of a group and must maintain the general pace. Give others a helping push when they are struggling and accept one graciously if offered. We all have bad days!
Know your own limits:
If you are tired or unable to ride relatively comfortably on the front, go to the back, do not ride through unless you can complete a turn at the front. Overextending yourself can lead to tiredness and poor decisions while trying to keep and also to being dropped and the group having to wait to look after you.
Be Prepared:
Bring drinks, bars and some money. This will buy some food & drink in case of emergency. Always bring two bottles and plenty of food on a long spin. Start eating after about an hour. The golden rule is to eat ‘little and often’. Don’t wait until coffee stop for refuelling if you are hungry then it’s probably too late.
Always ensure that your bike is in good order before EVERY spin, tyres are properly inflated, brakes working, chain oiled, gears functioning.
Bring two spare tubes, tyre levers and a pump. A multi tool can be useful too. Bring your mobile phone in case you get stranded.
Downhill:
If you are on the front of a bunch, going downhill, do not freewheel, but keep turning the gear and often put it in the big ring. The reason for this is that the riders behind you in your slip stream will be travelling faster than you and hence have to keep braking, which disturbs the natural rhythm of the bunch.
When descending you should leave a bigger gap between you and the wheel in front for a safety
Hill climbing:
On club runs keep the pace steady on hills. The group may split on the way up, which is fine the group should regroup at the top. Or instead of waiting, the stronger cyclists can spin back down to the last cyclist and join in at the back and encourage others up.
Turning:
When turning right or left and you are heading the bunch, shout “turning left, or “turning right” and put out your hand to signal. The others behind you should do the same all the way down the bunch, in order to let traffic behind the group, know of the group’s intentions.
Traffic Management:
Please be mindful of all other road users and ensure the group is not creating a build-up of traffic, if this happens the ride captain should ask the group to pull in at the earliest and safest location to allow the traffic to pass. Likewise, when cycling please remember that you are representing the club and be respectful to all other road users
Enjoy and have fun!
Adhere to the rules of the road –they’re there for a reason – to protect you and others. Take guidance from your ride captain and remember you’re representing the club when you’re out on club spins.
There further information available here
https://www.cyclingireland.ie/downloads/cirideleader-guidetocyclingontheroad.pdf
