"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Modifying Speed in a Pack

I don't know what to do when the wheel I'm on starts to slow.
- Hitting the brakes causes issues behind me.
- Doing nothing means I overlap wheels.

What should I do in this situation? Maintain my momentum? Sit up to catch more wind to slow down? What's the best, strategically?

If there's room to the side, I'd pass, perhaps unless there's no chance of getting shelter there.
If there is not room, I would see how likely the possibility of making room looks.
If that's not looking good, I'd apply the brakes as lightly as possible.
If that causes issues, I'd issue a "Slowing".
If there are still issues, then there would be issues regardless of whether you were there or not, and someone else is riding sketchy. Nothing you can do about it.

as the previous response points out- there's ALOT of IFs.

if the guy pulling is slowing by .5 to 1mph... then just let off and let the guy have his day out front.

if he's really out of his league in the pace line... then gently pull around him at what SHOULD be the speed and the line will follow you.

when he sees the pace line going by- he'll get the message.

I find moving to the side tends to cause less drama than braking. I think it might be because lateral movement is more immediately obvious to the riders in the pack than is a change in speed.

I find moving to the side tends to cause less drama than braking. I think it might be because lateral movement is more immediately obvious to the riders in the pack than is a change in speed.

I would agree with this, but of course, it's not always possible.

Loosen your brakes and lightly dab them. I think the problem a lot of people have is that their brakes are set up to catch hard with a slight pull of the lever. This leaves no room for modulation.

Loosen your brakes and lightly dab them. I think the problem a lot of people have is that their brakes are set up to catch hard with a slight pull of the lever. This leaves no room for modulation.

I've got my brakes pretty loose. On descents I like to grip the levers a bit so that I can pre-load the lever before the pad engages the rim.

Lots of good advice from people. I'll have to see if I can apply it during Sunday's race.

i agree with the brakes comment. i actually prefer my worn out pads because they don't grab so abrupty.

I find moving to the side tends to cause less drama than braking. I think it might be because lateral movement is more immediately obvious to the riders in the pack than is a change in speed.

Just don't do it while in a turn :D

Just don't do it while in a turn :D

Better to change position mid corner than to brake. Bumping elbows isn't nearly as likley to cause a crash as bumping wheels.

Better to change position mid corner than to brake. Bumping elbows isn't nearly as likley to cause a crash as bumping wheels.

Indeed. What I should have said is don't do it abruptly while in a turn.

Also, look far up ahead in the peleton. You will see what is happening and be able to anticipate a slow down and then just sit up, or start moving up. When the pack slows is a great time to get a couple of places.

Brake as a last resort, move around and up whenever possible.

Not braking would be the best method...

Well, if you're in a corner, the lateral forces will actually scrub off speed quickly. So just coast a little, sit up a bit to catch more wind and you should be able to slow down to avoid contact with the wheel ahead. Just be sure to start pedaling as soon as you match his speed so that you don't end up backing up into the guy behind you and perpetuating the effect.

If you're in a straight, it's not hard to sit up and pull slightly (about 3-6") to the side and catch a little more wind. Then pull back in when your speed matches. Of course if they're slowing down a lot, it's simple enough to just go around them on the outside and make up several positions.

I don't know what to do when the wheel I'm on starts to slow.
- Hitting the brakes causes issues behind me.
- Doing nothing means I overlap wheels.

What should I do in this situation? Maintain my momentum? Sit up to catch more wind to slow down? What's the best, strategically?

Shout "slowing" and slow down.

Shout "slowing" and slow down.

:(

Yelling slowing/inside/hold your line = bad.

:(

Yelling slowing/inside/hold your line = bad.

Why?

I find moving to the side tends to cause less drama than braking. I think it might be because lateral movement is more immediately obvious to the riders in the pack than is a change in speed.
Well - a guy did exactly this in my race this past weekend and took out 3 other riders. I think in general, until the first attack comes in a race, give yourself enough room to brake.

Well - a guy did exactly this in my race this past weekend and took out 3 other riders. I think in general, until the first attack comes in a race, give yourself enough room to brake.

It's not you - it's the guy behind you. Being the jerk who locks up his brakes and throws the wheel back isn't cool. At the same time, swerving wildly from side to side is equally stupid. The key is smoothness in whatever you do...or so I'm told :)

As for why yelling is a bad idea:

1. "Inside" - Pet peeve. It's against the rules, for one - and two, shouting doesn't secure your position, your position secures your position.
2. "Slowing" - Yes, I can see that we're slowing down...so can everyone else.
3. "Hold your line" - Um, hold yours?

I just think it's unnecessary about 99.5% of the time.

I just think it's unnecessary about 99.5% of the time.

ditto

the only thing that i can add to this is that I usually go partially around and place my hand on a low back or an @$$. This way the rider I am concerned with knows where I am. While it is not his responsibility not to crash me out, it is better than any vocalization i can think of. It also slows me down and speds him up a bit so that we can be uncrossed quickly.

*EDIT* And yes sitting up or even standing to catch wind is effective as well.

That reminds me of a question that occurred to me. Occasionally there will be women in my races. Is the ass/hip tap taboo for them? Hmmm...

That reminds me of a question that occurred to me. Occasionally there will be women in my races. Is the ass/hip tap taboo for them? Hmmm...

Nah...it's not taboo for them to touch your @$$, they just don't want to. :) Maybe you should offer flowers first?

Nah...it's not taboo for them to touch your @$$, they just don't want to. :) Maybe you should offer flowers first?

Ok, then can I touch their "@$$"? Or still the flowers first?

It's not you - it's the guy behind you. Being the jerk who locks up his brakes and throws the wheel back isn't cool. At the same time, swerving wildly from side to side is equally stupid. The key is smoothness in whatever you do...or so I'm told :)

As for why yelling is a bad idea:

1. "Inside" - Pet peeve. It's against the rules, for one - and two, shouting doesn't secure your position, your position secures your position.
2. "Slowing" - Yes, I can see that we're slowing down...so can everyone else.
3. "Hold your line" - Um, hold yours?

I just think it's unnecessary about 99.5% of the time.

If the idjit in front of you slams the brakes, you've gotta let the guys behind you know you're about to slow down to avoid overlapping his wheels. I agree with you on everything else (I *REALLY* hate hearing "Car Back!!!!" every 30 seconds).

That reminds me of a question that occurred to me. Occasionally there will be women in my races. Is the ass/hip tap taboo for them? Hmmm...
It is perfectly acceptable. If they are racing with the men, they are a racer and gender becomes a non-issue. It's not as if you're being sexual in a race (god I hope not!)

1. "Inside" - Pet peeve. It's against the rules

Which rule is that?

OK, help me on this.

If the guy in front of you slows down, you have three options:

1. Go around
2. Slow down
3. Brace for impact

Assuming that ramming him is out of the question - I know some of you guys have mad skills and can actually get away with a bit of bumping, that leaves slowing down or going around. Ideally, you would want to go around, move up or at least stay in position. But maybe you can't because you're boxed in. So then, you need to slow down. I don't see how it matters HOW you slow down, just that you do so as moderately as possible. You don't want to overbrake and make a gap you have to chase down later.

You can slow a little bit by sitting up or by softpedaling, but you'll probably have to use the brakes. It's not hard just feather the brakes a little bit.

What am I missing here? I am a crit noob, flame away!

OK, help me on this.

If the guy in front of you slows down, you have three options:

1. Go around
2. Slow down
3. Brace for impact

Assuming that ramming him is out of the question - I know some of you guys have mad skills and can actually get away with a bit of bumping, that leaves slowing down or going around. Ideally, you would want to go around, move up or at least stay in position. But maybe you can't because you're boxed in. So then, you need to slow down. I don't see how it matters HOW you slow down, just that you do so as moderately as possible. You don't want to overbrake and make a gap you have to chase down later.

You can slow a little bit by sitting up or by softpedaling, but you'll probably have to use the brakes. It's not hard just feather the brakes a little bit.

What am I missing here? I am a crit noob, flame away!
The advantage of catching air vs brakes is just that it's guaranteed to be very smooth. It takes a little more skill to brake the same way, and is easier to screw up.

The advantage of catching air vs brakes is just that it's guaranteed to be very smooth. It takes a little more skill to brake the same way, and is easier to screw up.

If I'm already in the drops, I find that I can't "sit up" much higher without moving my hands. Maybe my position is too high or my bars are too low. I could shift my hands up to the tops in order to sit up more effectively, but that sounds trickier than feathering the brake.

I guess I could shift over to catch air, but that seems like a bad idea in a race situation.

I guess I could shift over to catch air, but that seems like a bad idea in a race situation.

Sticking out your knees and elbows do help

The hardest things to learn about modulating speed are "when" and "how much". It's not necessarily any harder or easier using your brakes versus sitting up. They're simply different skills, neither is inherently bad or good. Sitting up is not magic, you still have to practice to learn how different positions affect your speed. Brakes are not magic either, you have to learn how to feather, not grab a giant handful. But it's not a difficult skill to master.

If I'm already in the drops, I find that I can't "sit up" much higher without moving my hands. Maybe my position is too high or my bars are too low. I could shift my hands up to the tops in order to sit up more effectively, but that sounds trickier than feathering the brake.

I guess I could shift over to catch air, but that seems like a bad idea in a race situation.

Put a knee out and use your legs as a brake.

Thanks for the tips!

Which rule is that?

Can't find the notice now, but USCF sent out a notice last year reminding people that calling inside is unsafe/against the rules...etc...

Can't find the notice now, but USCF sent out a notice last year reminding people that calling inside is unsafe/against the rules...etc...

Interesting. I can't find anything like that in the rulebook.


Not that I condone it, but it's hardly unsafe to yell "inside". It can be unsafe to actually go there ("dive"), whether you yell or not, but I'd still be surprised if there's an enforceable rule on it (except maybe on the track).

I was talking to some experienced racers the other night about this, and they were saying it's actually pretty funny to hear people yell inside, they just say "thanks!", and shut them down.

If I'm on a wheel I like, I'll slow with them, but I do what I can to dampen the differences. I will get ever closer slowly, and when the acceleration follows, I don't let the wheel get any further away until we reach cruising speed.

If I have no interest in the wheel I'm on (I "case" the fastest rider I can find), I will move forward through the pack as space and smooth transitions allow. If you can resist reacting for a second longer than everyone else, there will be gaps behind you, so you can probably move over easily.

That reminds me of a question that occurred to me. Occasionally there will be women in my races. Is the ass/hip tap taboo for them? Hmmm...

I was on a group ride recently, when I let a gap form trying to stuff some Clif Blocks in my mouth...I was having a little bit of that swallowing while gasping for breath problem happening. Most in the group were men, and one put a hand on my lower back (not any lower) and gave me a push.
I'd be suspicious of any ass touching even supposedly for safety purposes :rolleyes:

I was on a group ride recently, when I let a gap form trying to stuff some Clif Blocks in my mouth...I was having a little bit of that swallowing while gasping for breath problem happening. Most in the group were men, and one put a hand on my lower back (not any lower) and gave me a push.
I'd be suspicious of any ass touching even supposedly for safety purposes :rolleyes:

Are you a woman?

Also, look far up ahead in the peleton. You will see what is happening and be able to anticipate a slow down

+111ELEVELTY!!

Are you a woman?

yes she is

Why else would i make that comment? I know guys have no problems touching each other's butts where sports are involved. :rolleyes:

FWIW: I push women up hills all the time, and sometimes men. Often strangers. No need to go below the lower back for that maneuver.

It's really fun when riding with a married couple, and the husband gets up the road on a bit on a climb. I push the wife up to the husband, and right when we reach him, I give one last huge shove and silently hop in on the husband's wheel while he watches her drop him on the hill. Most of the time, we don't ever say anything :) Some husbands act like they didn't notice, and others are clearly surprised.

Why else would i make that comment? I know guys have no problems touching each other's butts where sports are involved. :rolleyes:

I have no idea. That's why I asked.

As for grabbing other dudes' asses: I like to get a handful to really let them know I'm there.

I was on a group ride recently, when I let a gap form trying to stuff some Clif Blocks in my mouth...I was having a little bit of that swallowing while gasping for breath problem happening. Most in the group were men, and one put a hand on my lower back (not any lower) and gave me a push.
I'd be suspicious of any ass touching even supposedly for safety purposes :rolleyes:
Darling, if you think that a man is touching your butt in a sexual manner during a fast ride/race, then you have some deep issues concerning men that you need to sort through.

If I'm on a wheel I like, I'll slow with them, but I do what I can to dampen the differences. I will get ever closer slowly, and when the acceleration follows, I don't let the wheel get any further away until we reach cruising speed.

If I have no interest in the wheel I'm on (I "case" the fastest rider I can find), I will move forward through the pack as space and smooth transitions allow. If you can resist reacting for a second longer than everyone else, there will be gaps behind you, so you can probably move over easily.

someones been creepin'

Darling, if you think that a man is touching your butt in a sexual manner during a fast ride/race, then you have some deep issues concerning men that you need to sort through.

I was mostly kidding about the final comment, but I've had my butt grabbed enough by strangers out walking around town (not just in bars or at concerts) that such conduct seems suspicious in most cases. :o I'd hope cycling partners wouldn't act sketchy. Not that I'd necessarily assume it'd be sexual in that situation, but I do value my personal space.

Sex is the last thing on my braing when I am in training mode, I thought that was true across the board.