Think Cyclogically

Spring is in the air (at least everywhere but Wisconsin, apparently) and it’s just about time to get on our bikes and head outside!  Here in Madison, the Team in Training America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride Team is preparing for our first outdoor group ride!  With this being the current weather forecast…

this may or may not happen, but it’s time to be prepared anyway!  It’s time to start thinking cyclogically! The purpose of this post is to throw out some basics of group riding.  Riding in a group can be very fun and social but you have to be safe.  Every regular group I’ve ever ridden with has its own personality, and its own way of doing things.  If you join an existing group, you’ll figure it out pretty quickly.  If you start your own group, it will develop its own personality over time.  These are general tips that should apply in any group at any time!

Be Smooth and Predictable.  Make sure you don’t have sudden accelerations or slowdowns.  If a gap opens up in front of you, close it slowly and gradually. Use sharp braking ONLY in emergencies! Always check your blind spot and know what is going on around you.

Communicate! Learn the hand and voice signals of the group you are riding with. Let everyone know if the group is slowing or stopping.  Signal all turns with hands and voice.  Let other riders know when hazards are approaching by pointing to them and calling out whatever the hazard may be. Let others know where vehicles are (Car back, Car up, Car right).  Communication may be the single most important factor in riding in a group!

Be considerate to others in the group.  If not everyone makes it through a stop light, slow down to wait for those that didn’t make it through.  We should all be following the rules of the road and not violating traffic laws, so this will also encourage safe behavior since people won’t have to worry about losing the group.

Let others know when you are passing them.  Always pass on the left. Never pass on the right.  As you approach a slower rider call out “On your left”, so they know you are there, and they don’t pull out to pass a slower rider and crash into you.   

Watch out for those riders that may be less experienced, or a little squirrely.  Increase your following distance around them.  Find those riders who are comfortable and steady, and try and position yourself around them. 

Never ride in aerobars in a group. You need to be in complete control of your bike, and that’s not possible if you’re in areo position.

If you’re like most people, when you first start riding with a group, you’ll be nervous and a little scared.  Don’t worry. As you spend more time riding with a group, you’ll become more comfortable and really begin to enjoy it.  Before you know it, you’ll be group riding like a pro!