Every so often, I’ll ride a recreational group ride. I love the comraderie of cyclists, the talk, the last minute pumps of air, the clicking in, and the easy drifting out as a peloton. “I miss riding in a group,” I’ll think to myself.
The magic ends by mile 10. The group will surge, gap, and separate, only to regroup at every stop sign. I’ll hear fifteen repeated screams of “HOLE!” for every minor road imperfection. And then no mention of the actual hole. Some guy in front will set a PR for his 30 second pull. Wheels overlap, brakes are tapped, and some guy in the back will go across the yellow line and speed past the peloton for no apparent reason. A breakaway?!
I curse under my breath, remembering why I always ride with only a few friends. Doesn’t anyone else realize how dangerous this ride is? How bad it is for our reputation on the road? There are clear rules of ride etiquette, safety, and common sense. Does anyone here know the rules? Who is in charge?
But no one is in charge, and the chaotic group has no idea of how to ride together. As a bike lawyer, I get the complaints from irritated drivers, concerned police, controversy-seeking journalists, and injured cyclists. It needs to get better, but the obstacles are real:
First, everyone is an expert these days. The internet and a power meter do not replace 50,000 miles of experience, but try telling that to a fit forty year-old, new to cycling, on a $5000 bike. Or, god forbid, a triathlete. No one wants to be told what to do.
Second, the more experienced riders just want to drop the others and not be bothered. It is all about the workout, the ego boost, or riding with a subset of friends. But a group ride is neither a race nor cycling Darwinism. As riders get better, they seek to distinguish themselves by riding faster on more trendy bikes; but as riders get better they need to realize two things: 1) there is always someone faster, and 2) they have obligations as leaders. Cycling is not a never ending ladder, each step aspiring upwards, casting aspersions down. It is a club, and we should want to expand and improve our membership.
Third, different rides are advertised by average speed, but speed is only one part of the equation. This approach makes speed the sole metric for judging a cyclist, and creates the false impression that a fit rider is a good one. Almost anyone can be somewhat fast on a bike, but few learn to be elegant, graceful cyclists.
Fourth, riding a bike well requires technique training. Good swimmers, for example, constantly work on form and drills; so should cyclists. Anyone remember the C.O.N.I. Manual or Eddie Borysewich’s book? They are out-of-print, but their traditional approach to bike technique should not be lost. More emphasis was given on fluid pedaling and bike handling.
Before the internet, before custom bikes, and before Lance, it was done better. Learning to ride was an apprenticeship. The goal was to become a member of the peloton, not merely a guy who is sort of fast on a bike. Membership was the point, not to be the local Cat. 5 champ. You were invited to go on group ride if you showed a interest and a willingness to learn. You were uninvited if you did not. You learned the skills from directly from the leader, who took an interest in riding next to you on your first rides (and not next to his friends, like better riders do today). Here is some of what you learned:
To ride for months each year in the small ring.
To take your cycling shorts off immediately after a ride.
To start with a humble bike, probably used.
To pull without surging.
To run rotating pace line drills and flick others through.
To form an echelon.
To ride through the top of a climb.
To hold your line in a corner.
To stand up smoothly and not throw your bike back.
To give the person ahead of you on a climb a little more room to stand up.
To respect the yellow line rule.
To point out significant road problems.
To brake less, especially in a pace line.
To follow the wheel in front and not overlap.
The ride leader and his lieutentants were serious about their roles, because the safety of the group depended on you, the weakest link. If you did not follow the rules, you were chastised. Harshly. If you did, you became a member of something spectacular. The Peloton.
Great article. I hope we can se a return to more of this in my area (Milwaukee, WI).
Damn right. “@willems_b: Should be req reading for anyone who shows up on our rides: Lost art of the group ride: http://t.co/zqw8oL8”
Lost art of the group ride: http://t.co/wSN0Mdl
Excellent article. It’s good to see someone who appreciates the “art” of cycling!
Perfectly stated. Another way to supplement group riding skills is to work with a good cycling coach who has years of experience as a professional. That will definitely help with paceline riding, etiquette and energy conservation (smooth pedaling and pulls). When riding in a group it’s about the group not the individual rider. It’s ok to be told what/how to do something. In the end you will be a better rider for it.
Lost art of the group ride: http://t.co/aDgmSjQ (via mobilebayroadies) hell yes – if only it could be like that
Gr8piece tks @josh_greenberg RT @BicyclingMag: lost art of the group ride http://t.co/hr6v9hO @JayHiggins @ibrisbin @sdramey @bjramey
Lost art of the group ride: http://t.co/08xOZeX
Lost art of the group ride. Read it: http://t.co/v89JjKe
Lost art of the group ride "1. there is always someone faster, and 2. they have obligations as leaders" http://t.co/J38XsNW
EVERY cyclist needs to read this: http://t.co/7IalWqt
Great article Peter. Sounds like those of us who are newer to the sport really missed out on a good scene in the earlier days.
I definitely focus on being faster and keeping up more than anything else. I also always point out holes in case someone isn’t paying attention, perhaps too often.
From my own perspective I try to ride with the fastest people I can get through a ride with because I like the feeling of speed and I want to be as good as the people I look up to.
Recently though, I started solo riding again because I felt i had lost touch with cycling for fun. Now I think I see why.
Great great article
I run a Junior racing team. I’m going to make them memorise this and they WILL be tested.
Lost art of the group ride: http://t.co/ryRo6zQ Great article, and so true
The Obstacles you listed are:
1. No one wants to be told what to do.
2. It’s all about the workout, ego boost, or clicks for experienced riders.
3. Rides are advertised by speed insted of more criteria.
4. Good riders don’t work enough on form and drills.
And the only one of these that can be addressed by a group is #3.
What was the point of listing the others besides a meaningless rant ?
Thank you for mentioning the primary difficulties involved in all group riding I have encountered. Conclusively,your artical hits dead on the problem that group rides are facing in concerns with accecptable riding speeds and rider conforming with widly held pace line rules. Speed is the culprit that”s driving group rides apart and speed ,as you stated, is the least important aspect of a good workout and safe group ride. Education seems the only solution and we are hopeful of your continued interest in this activity as well as riding. Thank you for the excellent artical!!!
Anyone who rode and grew up in the 70′s and 80′s was part of an activity that no longer exists. The only way to replicate the joy and fun of that era is to limit the participants to those willing to ride according to a long forgotten set of rules. I’ve tried the education approach, but alas, one loose screw will bring the whole group down. The actual cause of this sorry state of affairs is not often discussed, it is so un PC.
For my roadies: Lost art of the group ride "1. there is always someone faster, and 2. they have obligations as leaders" http://t.co/XMWTfFJ
For my roadies: Lost art of the group ride "1. there is always someone faster, and 2. they have obligations as leaders" http://t.co/Y9vD2iy
An excellent article. "Lost art of the group ride" http://t.co/rAWIjcv
Another good read… http://t.co/NSzZLt2 http://t.co/VAApV1p
I recently started something to build group ride in my bike club, Wheeling Wheelmen, a playing card team. I bought a deck of bicycle cards from Walgreens. At the start of our Sunday ride, we cut the deck to determine what the suite of the day is, say hearts. Then I get people who want to joint the “hearts pace line” and give a numbr card to each member. We skotch taped the card to the seat tube or bag. The rules are to be point for 2 miles or less and then peal to the back of the line and maintain a 1/2 to 1 wheel gap. The first week was a disaster. There were 45 people who came to ride that day. I gave out the ace to queen cards. I ended up with 2 riders after a 45 mile ride. The second week was a little better. Started the ride with 9 members and ended with 5.
Lost art of the group ride: http://t.co/zvw2auB —> This is a great article for anyone who rides/has ridden/or wants to ride in a group.
Lost art of the group ride: http://t.co/gtjKjei
Lost art of the group ride: http://t.co/uhDfStr
Hmmm… i wonder who is “casting aspersions” here? Sounds like you don’t like tri-athletes, powertaps, high-end bikes, and 40 year olds.
The way i look at it… manners, courtesy, and skill have no bearing on how old you are, what your athletic activities consist of, or how much you paid for your bike. Sounds like what would solve the problem you speak of is to have an ‘exclusive’ bike club with strict ground-rules. Membership will dictate no 35-45 year olds allowed. No bike will cost more than $2000 (receipt or affidavit required). Don’t advertise your group rides, and make sure that everyone is single-file and never exceeds 18mph at any time.
After the ride be ready for inspection to ensure you have removed your bike shorts.
Focus on the main point of this essay and you will be a better rider. Or, stay home and armchair analyze! Either way, the group will improve.
Nice post on the GROUP RIDE http://t.co/eIdUFVK Couldn’t say it better ourselves. Really miss the Avanti rides in Seattle a long time ago!
Preach: http://t.co/OWpHuOF
Gr8t share RT @brentkinnaird: tks @josh_greenberg RT @BicyclingMag lost art of group ride http://t.co/iROFuUI @ibrisbin @sdramey @bjramey
http://t.co/S8nH1NB this should be read by everyone. And everyone should read atleast twice. Including me.
via above cat: http://t.co/eY4azjo
A must read..
http://t.co/OWKpsNN
Via Ray N.
I’m not sure if you were saying this with a little tongue in cheek, but be careful of stereotyping “God forbid, Triathletes”. Many of them have been on two wheels since the days of Eddie B and before and have plenty of experience riding in a peleton. Some triathletes might be novice cyclists. Some might have more miles under their wheels than you.
It is a big problem when cyclists keep their hands on the aero bars in a pace line. Triathletes can be their own worst enemies.
Beautifully written. Thank you!
Lost art of the group ride: http://t.co/G0BYZo0
Lost art of the group ride: http://t.co/hT1b3uC
"The Lost Art of the Group Ride" http://t.co/p1FgKUr by @BikeLawPeter at @CarolinaCycling should be required reading for all cyclists.
Lost art of the group ride: http://t.co/DsRr9Vj
Lost art of the group ride | Carolina Cycling News http://ow.ly/6mCrg
Over 20,000 cyclists have read :The Lost Art of the Group Ride" since 9/1. Read it here: http://t.co/0ScgGR6
Over 20,000 cyclists have read :The Lost Art of the Group Ride" since 9/1. Read it here: http://t.co/R4nPmRK
The lost art of the group ride, via Mike Howard: http://j.mp/pXmXhA
Great article, reminded me why I wanted to be a cyclist in the first place, reminded me of my infancy in the Major Taylor Iron Riders, reminded me of group rides with said club.
Some of the problem in cycling is snobbery, whether its a rich dude on his 10k Parlee or some Cat 5 hotshot who is intent on becoming Lance, my 6 years in cycling have introduced me to many fine people, cut from the same cloth as my motocross brethren (20+ years, 1 Am championship) , however, on a daily basis I am confronted with people whose self worth is highly over aggrandized. I usually wave at other cyclist but more often than not, I get a response that resembles a glare more than a stare, and absolute rudeness as if my wave were interpreted as some foreign language.
That’s the first thing cycling needs to fix. IMHO.
Lost art of the group ride | Carolina Cycling News http://t.co/EmP8LbI
No buying your way into this club: http://t.co/hnE4fQL
Great read! RT @BikeLawPeter Over 20,000 cyclists have read: "The Lost Art of the Group Ride" since 9/1. Read it here: http://t.co/z46DQHG
Lost art of the group ride: http://t.co/YeJesgz GREAT ARTICLE! How many things on the list can you (and do you) do?
Please don’t get me wrong, Im not judging all of cycling by the guy who take themselves way too seriously. Ive seen mx racers die, and this year Ive seen top pro cyclists die and in the end ya know what, how fast they were on a bike was the least thing mentioned… how were you as a person is more important that how fast you rode a machine. I was a cyclist (BMX) long before I was a motorcyclist. And now life (thru mx injuries) have taken me full circle. I spent 4 yeas training to race and after 1 Crit, 1TT and 1 mountain stage RR I am convinced I DONT have what it takes to go any further. Heading back to what I know Im good at, MX, but cycling is ALWAYS a part of me and I (God willing ) will never not be on my bicycle. Im sure Wouter Weylandt and Josh Lichtle would agree with me. BOTH gave all for the passion in their lives. That mutual passion is why we all ride, snobbery is childish and keeps potential newcomers from feeling welcomed in a very difficult sport (cycling.). Josh Lichtle and most mx pros are also road cyclists, best endurance training out there.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wouter_Weylandt
http://sports.espn.go.com/action/news/story?id=6737913
http://www.clickondetroit.com/video/28455301/index.html
Good article on group-riding. Thanks to Mario for sending it to me. http://t.co/74w2tI7
Lost Art of the Group Ride – go get a buddy and get pedaling! #cycling http://ht.ly/6lbSU
Live it. Ride it. #keepinitreal http://t.co/p08FJe3