Road Cycling - At Least Ducks Fly in Formation

I had a strange experience today. It was unusally warm mid 50's & sunny here in KY. I went out on a local run (I'm a lone Rider by choice) and midway through I was startled by a cyclist whom suddenly appeared on my left and said "Hi". He was about a foot away (handlebar to handlebar). He slowly pulled away - but I noticed a jersey from the local bicycle club. Then I heard the main group behind me. NOISY Bunch of folks. They pulled beside me and I found myself alongside about a dozen folks. I stayed with them about 2 miles, they were friendly, but I couldn't believe the non-disipline. The type were there appeared to have no protocol, At times we were 3 abreast and if a car came up on us, everyone hollered car, and a mad rush began to get into single file as far right as possible, And lord- someone calling out "Gravel" brought a multitude of shouts (of same) and everyone hitting the brakes. I got as nervous as a turkey at thanksgiving. I finally stopped, let them get down the road and resumed the trip. Much happier in my journey. How do you folks stand this???? Signed -a Lone Wolf and will stay that way. BTW- No offense meant to group riders. These folks seemed to really be enjoying thhemselves, it was I who was uncomfortable (in a group) and in all sincerity, I didn't see them do anything wrong. They all semed to know each others 'moves', but I was a lost soul and felt like I would do something wrong causing a crash.

BTW- 10 miles yesterday, 18 today!!!!!!

I'm a loner too, unless my wife is along. I just flat don't trust other cyclists if I don't know them, and I'd rather not have to look out for them as well as everything else on the road.

The only group I have ever ridden in is my "family group." We have 5 kids. When we are all out together, its single file at all times when on the road. Either myself or the oldest kid on the point and/or rear. We also warn each other of approaching cars. It is a lot of fun to see the looks we get when we are out on our ride. :)

Typical......small group of riders. I ride with groups like that, small or large, all the time. Where I live, you'll find many groups of all discipline roaming the streets. Just ride with the ones you're most comfortable with and just have fun.

George

A smooth working paceline can be a thing of beauty. It's a good way to socialize, and if you ride longer distances it's a great way to go faster and safe energy. Those riders weren't being "noisy"...they were communicating, which is critical for the safety of the group. Riding close like that is inherently more dangerous than solo, so communication and rider skill are important.

It's also important to assess the skill level of the other riders in the group. Sometimes, they're too fast. Other times, especially on century rides, you'll see some pretty squirrely behavior. So, it's best to avoid groups you're not comfortable in.

Here are some links on paceline etiquette:

http://www.bgcycling.org/outspoken/2003/v2003406.html

http://www.teamabsolut.net/wisdom/group.htm

A well disciplined club ride is a thing of beauty especially when it's a nice double paceline moving smoothly around road obstacles. It sounds like you were in a group that was intelligent enough to go single file instead of holding up traffic. Not all groups are so considerate.

You'd get the hang of it eventually if you wanted to ride in groups (doesn't sound like you will again), just by watching the helmets and hips of the riders ahead you'll know how to move to avoid gravel, glass or whatever is on the road.

The nice thing about those rides is you know and (usually) trust everyone so you can almost ride on auto-pilot and have fun chatting. That's one reason why I refuse to let a non-racer-type on my wheel. I don't trust that person (I was once rammed in the rear by a commuter who didn't anticipate my movement).

I remember one club ride where I and the guy beside me locked handle bars in a corner. We knew each other well and trusted each other to not do anything stupid. Anyway, as we glided through the corner I slowed slightly, unlocking the bars then we looked at each other and smiled.

I used to ride with a group that had hand signals for gravel, holes, rough terrain etc. The only chatter was either "car back" (we rode single file always) or chit chat occasionally. It was pretty nice riding with them....

Always rode with a group. How do you race yourself??

time trial.

time trial against yourself? Boring.

It's no fun unless you're dropping someone else.

I ride with a small group and we know each other pretty well. We know each others moves and riding styles. It's not that we're all really good riders, we all have our bad habits, but we know them.

One guy always wants to be up front on the decents, he may not be the fastest on the decents, but he likes to be there and if he's following, he will pass everyone to get up front...so we just let him go first.

Another guy couldn't ride in a straight line if he tried...and he knows it. so we know not to ride next to him when things get going, and he knows not to ride next to others also.

Another guy is a great climber and we know to give him room to get around us when it starts up...we let him set the pace at the start and he knows to pace us up for the first half of the climb.

And when the paceline starts, we know how to encourage and watch for cars as we rotate. And when the sprints start, the climbers know to lead out the sprinters and pull out early.

F1 fan, if someone runs into you from the rear, unless they ride with you to know you make quick line changes, you are responsible for comunicating. There is a guy that we ride with that likes to pull for a long time, but then he just shuts it down without any warning. I know this and keep extra distance between him and my front wheel, but I'm always on him to pull over or give warning.

And it is more fun to have someone to race. Once we were on our small climbing loop. I was infront of my bud and I knew he was gunning for me...there was 300 hundred yards to the top of the first "mountain finish" of our loop and I slowed my pace for him to catch me. But I didn't let on that I was "slowing". When he tried to go by, I stayed with him...with 50 feet to go, I put the hammer down. On our second "mountain finish", he pushed hard from the start of the climb. I had to be paced up to him by two of the other guys. I caught him with 200 yards to go and stayed on his wheel but I made my move too soon and he went around me at the last turn.

F1 fan, if someone runs into you from the rear, unless they ride with you to know you make quick line changes, you are responsible for comunicating.

Nope, not my fault. Guy came up behind me silently and was probably drafting me for a few blocks, I slowed for a stop light in the proper place (behind the last stopped car) and he rammed me. I guess he was thinking I was headed up along the curb to the front of the line. I never did find out exactly what he was thinking... after a few four-letter words traffic started moving.

I've ridden with some erratic cyclists, as well as some responsible ones. Usually though, I can't have one without the other! The big packs are great, but the inexperienced usually stay in the back - once they lose contact, they're off. But that's how I learned to ride with them. Each ride I could maintain their pace, and if I fell 'off the back' I could sprint to catch up. Don't knock the pack yet, Red Baron! Give 'er a go again!! ;)

He never said race,he said he is a lone rider.How do you race yourself?Dropping someone else.You guys are the jerks in the groups that make us want to ride alone.Cant put on your cycling gear unless your in your group?Its alright to ride alone and be just as fast as anyone in these groups,or as slow as you want to be.

What's the point of riding if you're not racing?

Twice during the week, I ride alone and I don't want it any other way. But on Sat mornings, I ride with a huge pack and get dropped midway through. On Sundays, a much smaller pack, everyone's riding in small chainrings most of the way......nice pace... Yes, I get variety.

George

What's the point of riding if you're not racing?
Because were not all hotshots?

What's the point of riding if you're not racing?

Hmm.... I ride a race bike, but I don't race.... I jog in expensive running shoes, but I don't race.... I drive a high performance automobile, but I don't race..... I play nice classical guitars, but I don't perform in public....

Yea if you want to go it alone than go it alone, you got a lot of great riding out in KY and I don't mean horses :) I find small group riding to actually be safer b/c it seems that drivers view you as one large whole vehicle and so they slow down and pass easily where as alone they treat you like a sewer rat on the side of the road. btw I just took a driver safty class and asked a lot of bike questions and acording to my instructor a car is not even suposed to pass you on a double yellow lined road (here in Virginia USA). They actually have to follow till there is a passing lane. So technically you can ride rite down the center of the lane like a car.

Laggard- no offense meant but I figure I'm the hardest competition out there. I race against myself. I raced bike's back in the early 70's, did OK, but just don't care to do that anymore. Infact I quit motorcross racing back in late 1970 as I didn't like that first turn - saw too many collarbones broken. - Thanks all for the replies and I got nothing against group riding, just not my style. My point was that these foks reminded me of a flock of starlings (how do they fly like that???) I've been passed by other groups and it was very quiet and disiplined. IF I were to choose a group- I would prefer it to be that organized.

Groups of cyclists ride like flocks of birds simply to reduce wind drag. One can travel longer distances, much quicker when riding in a pack.

And put in 20% less effort!

Hmmmmm - I guess them hawks and eagles need to fly in flocks rather than like them super fast and efficient starlings. And gosh, them Turkey buzzards here in KY must really be tired after flying all day.

but gotta admit have seen geese do this, but not like starlings, more like they are ORGANIZED.

(KIDDING You guys, - ALL IN FUN)

"Hi," from another Kentuckian. I'm slowly adapting to group riding and have seen the spectrum of cyclist behavior. But, hell, any riding's fun. :)

What's the point of riding if you're not racing?

Because I can. Because I love to ride.

Groups of cyclists ride like flocks of birds simply to reduce wind drag. One can travel longer distances, much quicker when riding in a pack.

one thing that has always bothered me about that-doesn't that mean that you HAVE to ride longer in order to get the same workout?

I can see drafting in a race...and maybe practicing drafting so that you don't run into the person in front or you when you race...but it seems to me that it would be detrimental to your performance to ride with a group for fitness.

one thing that has always bothered me about that-doesn't that mean that you HAVE to ride longer in order to get the same workout?

I can see drafting in a race...and maybe practicing drafting so that you don't run into the person in front or you when you race...but it seems to me that it would be detrimental to your performance to ride with a group for fitness.

I ride for fun. I have more fun riding with groups. I have even more fun when I don't have to work twice as hard to finish the ride...

George

i always have fun.

moderate paced pack rides are great. there are always some good pickup rides to be had in prospect park in brooklyn.

it quite theraputic to just get out there and spin, concentrating on nothing but keeping a smooth flow to the line and an even distance betwen you and the guy to your side and in front of you. throw in some bike chat and it's amazing how quickly 30 miles will disappear.

I had a strange experience today. It was unusally warm mid 50's & sunny here in KY. I went out on a local run (I'm a lone Rider by choice) and midway through I was startled by a cyclist whom suddenly appeared on my left and said "Hi". He was about a foot away (handlebar to handlebar). He slowly pulled away. BTW- 10 miles yesterday, 18 today!!!!!!

It's been in the 50's for three days straight in MAINE. I got out on Sunday with a friend and we did 16 miles!! (saw another cyclist too) It felt great to actually look down and see the tar moving by instead of just rollers, um, rolling.

I've never ridden in a group larger than three. I've been in one 60 mi. road race and I rode almost the entire ride alone. I prefer to have someone around to chat and pace with but I'm ok with riding alone as well.

It bothers me to hear about riders who get all bent at other riders. We're such a minority (compared to non-riders) I think it would be in our best interests to work together and not against each other. I can only imagine what Sally SUV is thinking when she sees two riders screaming obscenities at each other at a stop light. Not exactly good sportsmanship.

Just my .02 worth...

Hmmmmm - I guess them hawks and eagles need to fly in flocks rather than like them super fast and efficient starlings. And gosh, them Turkey buzzards here in KY must really be tired after flying all day.

but gotta admit have seen geese do this, but not like starlings, more like they are ORGANIZED.

(KIDDING You guys, - ALL IN FUN)

Suppose our local club group can look disorganized at times too, but I know and trust many of the folks since I've ridden with them a lot of miles. We can get tight, quiet and serious when the pace demands it, but not all the time.

Were you with the Lexington Wheelmen by any chance? I rode with them back in 1975, and see they still have the Century and Red River Rally annual events.

Form your own group.

Keep the group to like 10 bikes... No more...

Treat your group like you are in a team time trial...

They will become tight nit and very steady.

When you bring someone new into the group ride slower and train them over several weeks on how to fit in.

We ride in formation (single file) for hours at 24mph...

Other "club" riders don't like to ride with us because we like to keep the group small and fast and they say they have to "work too hard" tee hee... Sure they ride faster but only on the curtails of others...

Our "club" actually has three "teams" Labled A, B and C according to speed (and therefore skill). Someone must move up through the ranks to reach the top level... Where not only speed but precision is required to be a member. Don't hold your line? Cut someone off in a corner? Do it enough times and you will find yourself back a level... Safe cycling is a prerequisite for riding with speed... In our group anyhoo...

I ride alone because I am unwilling to compromise on my bike, it is my solitary time.

Harry K- they switched their name to the Bluegrass Cycling club I believe. A fine group of folks. They still organize a century in the spring and I think Red River Gorge Area. Thhase - I never meant to imply any bitterness towards riding with any group - I NEVER have had an angry situation with a cyclist (while riding). Most often I can't say its friendly, especially lone riders, but we all seem to respect each other and get along. I think from these posts I conclude its within our normal social needs. I never go to the Ky Derby, never been to a Basketball/Football game, bottom line, I abhor crowds. I like my personal time to myself. Cycling gives me that outlet. I think temp1 said it best. Would I like to join up with him and go for a group ride, - nothing personal Temp1, I'm sure your a fine feller, but I'll go on my own thank you . All here have a good year!!!!!