Road Cycling - Newbie Question No. 5: The etiquette of hitching onto a group ride

If you are passed by a bunch, or you see a bunch in the distance and expect to catch them, is it okay to hitch onto their group ride? If you do, will you be expected to take a turn up front? If you are an inexperienced cyclist, can you just hang off the back, especially if you expect to drift off at some point? Do you need to ask permission to join the bunch, or to ride behind them?

I cycle in a park with a closed 4km bike loop, with a few side roads. On any morning there are a number of bunch rides at various speeds. Sometimes if I am passed by one I will put on some acceleration and follow them for a while, and occasionally pass one. I suppose there is nothing wrong with that. But if they make a turn into a side road and I follow them, and then I do what they do - i.e. slow down or sprint up a hill - but still hanging off the back of the group, is that okay?

What is the etiquette of informally joining or following a group ride?

Ross

It will depend on the group, some of which are pretty insular (racers or wannabes) or they may all be friends riding together, well known to each other. Some groups don't mind you sitting in, but others will expect full
contribution. The upshot is there is no etiquette, you will have to closely observe the group, how they interact with each other and with you when
you strike up a conversation to get a feel for your acceptance. Generally
speaking, the faster the group, the more likely they are to rotate turns at the front. It is polite to ask if you can join, and you should always warn a group you are passing. "On your Left!" or such.... Steve

As mentioned it varies a lot out there. When I rode with a team in racing days, we didn't like unknowns latching on during team training rides. It wasn't an elitist deal but more of a safety issue even if the person didn't do any work. i.e. Does this unknown overlap wheels? Does he recognize calls and hand signals? Etc. For bigger mixed team rides/open groups, many folks just jump in and no one cares. The best thing to do is maybe come up along the last rider and ask if it's ok to sit in. If so, and you don't want to work due to inexperience, just drop back and let the rider coming off rotation slide in.

Here are a couple scenarios I experienced as a solo guy: I was coming onto a main road up the coast on a vacation and saw a group of 7 in matching jerseys ahead. I caught them and came along side of the last guy. I asked if the ride was closed or not. They looked safe to me (a key thing you should look for--steady line, etc.) They said join us, so I did and did my share of work--not that you have to. Another common situation: I find a solo guy or a pair and come along side and ask if I can join them. It's even better if you are comfortable pulling and are a safe paceline rider, that you ask, "Want to work together? Jump on my wheel". It's always nice to offer the first pull.

Personally, I hate when a guy is Mr. Stealth and covertly sucks onto my wheel. It's rude and dangerous for both of us. I won't be calling hazards as I have no idea someone is there. In return, he could go down hitting one of them. I usually just sit up once I know a wheel sucker is there--or hammer and drop the interloper, lol. Group riding is a great way to increase your fitness. Good bike handling is a must. Just because you see a group doesn't mean they are safe. You might get a weird snub from some elitist asking about sitting in but just blow it off. Good riding.

When I was in my first metric century, I started at the very back of the social section and I was really doing some passing and moving up, at the 70km mark or so. A tandem caught me (they had dropped off earlier due to hills up to the 45km mark, but was all flat by now) and they could see I was doing what they were doing and the stoker called for me to jump on....and I did so and boy do those tandems GO! when they got some clear road they just bolted and we were cruising at like 55kmh...wicked. Just thought id share.

The silent wheel suckers are the worst.

I find when passing, a simple "passing!" is best, the inexperienced riders dont need to work out what "on ur right!" means.

Brendon

Communicate! A few words can avoid a ton of misunderstandings and incorrect assumptions, and break the ice, too. Always join at the rear. I always ask if I can jump on. Usually the response is an enthusiastic "sure!" If it's a team training ride, or some such, they can tell you, or at least fill you in on expectations. Same if you don't feel comfortable joining the rotation... let 'em know so they won't assume you're a wheelsucker. If it's a recreational ride, you may be treated to some instruction. If it's a paceline that has an agenda they don't want you to be part of, they should let you know. Either way, be sensitive to the group vibe. If it's negative, you don't want to be part of it. Same thing if they're stupid... crossing roads when cars are coming, rotating off the front when trailing cars are trying to pass. They're foolishness can become your problem, let 'em go.

IMO, it's really only in a tight, training paceline that there's much to know. Don't lap wheels, don't brake or accelerate suddenly, when at the front you're the eyes of the group... signal or call potholes, gravel, if you need to slow suddenly, etc.

well, i agree mostyl with what's written here... there are no real "rules" you just kind of have to assess each group and situation.

IN GENERAL, the main fear/annoyance groups have if you join is that you will be unsafe - i.e. not know how to ride in a paceline or group riding (signally, no unexpcetd moves, no abrupt braking, etc). generally IF you do know how to do this properly you can fit right in...

the other problem might be if they have a specific "plan" - i.e. they all know the route or they are running a special rotation/formation and a newbie who doesn't know will make it more difficult.

i guess it also makes quite a bit of difference how strong you are: if you are stronger than the average, it is unlikely anyone will say anthing or have a problem --- but if you are weaker it is much more likely they will be annoyed or try to drop you or tell you to get lost or make rude comments...

so if you're a solo non-racer and the Cat 3s cruise by - i wouldn't recommend hopping on... but the Cats 5s or a rec group shouldn't have a problem...

i would tend to say i hop on to a group, "prove" myself and then maybe chat and ask if i can ride with or what they are riding...