Road Cycling - Road Bike Manners-Taking Turns Pulling

About 20 miles into my 60 mile ride today I noticed a rider coming up fast behind me. I made sure that I was pulled over to the right as far as I could to let him by. So I'm waiting and waiting for him to pass and thought he may have turned off, but I looked in my mirror and noticed he was right on my back wheel. There was somewhat of a head wind so I didn't mind pulling for awhile, but after 5 miles of this I thought he should have pulled awhile. Then I passed a rider who then jumped on my back wheel and the first guy jumped on his. Neither one of these guys helped out. Finally, I just pulled off the trail and not one of them thanked me.

Was I expecting too much from these guys? Should I have said something? Isn't there some kind of unspoken courtesy that everyone takes their turn pulling? Has this happened to anyone and if so, what do you do?

Thanks,
Dan

They were rude, and potentially dangerous. When a rider pulls in behind another rider, he should say "on your wheel", or "do you mind if I sit in?", or some thing. Not announcing your presence can potentially be dangerous if the lead rider suddenly slows or veers because he is unaware of riders behind.

As for not pulling...that's pretty lame too.

Should have blown a nice snot rocket behind you and then remarked with something like “sorry, you were so quiet back there I didn’t know you were there.” :D I've had a few people do that to me, but for the most part I don't mind as it gives me some nice incentive to pick up my pace.

On a related note, when it comes time for you to pull, what is an appropriate etiquette for setting the pace? Do you simply try and maintain the status quo? Do you ask the other riders if they want to ramp it up or slow it down? I have to admit that I'm a pretty bad paceline rider because when it comes time for me to take point, I either ride off accidently or drop the pace to the point where I feel guilty so I step it up and then... ride off accidently. What's a good procedure for setting and modifying pace? Also, is it rude to ask to increase or decrease pace (obviously with riders you already know)?

On a related note, when it comes time for you to pull, what is an appropriate etiquette for setting the pace? Do you simply try and maintain the status quo? Do you ask the other riders if they want to ramp it up or slow it down? I have to admit that I'm a pretty bad paceline rider because when it comes time for me to take point, I either ride off accidently or drop the pace to the point where I feel guilty so I step it up and then... ride off accidently. What's a good procedure for setting and modifying pace? Also, is it rude to ask to increase or decrease pace (obviously with riders you already know)?

In general, you should take over your pull at the same speed as the previous puller. Look at your speedo when you're in second position, and when it's your turn to pull keep it at that speed initially (dropping the hammer and pulling away from the group is the mark of a newbie). After a bit, you can speed up the pace if you feel like it, and if you think the group will be able to hang on...but, ramp it up slowly so the group can stay together.

If the pace is already pretty high, take a short pull rather than killing yourself or letting the pace drop. If you think the pace is too slow, it's OK to ask the group if they'd like it a little faster. In rolling or hilly terrain, this becomes much more difficult as the actual speed varies with the terrain and you have to judge more by how you feel (and, how much pain you can stand).

Here are some links on paceline etiquette you might find useful:

http://www.bgcycling.org/outspoken/2003/v2003406.html
http://www.teamabsolut.net/wisdom/group.htm
http://www.mssports.com/JMC/pdf/group_basics.pdf
http://www.tri-ecoach.com/art14.htm

Here are some links on paceline etiquette you might find useful:

Those were great links. Thanks. My problem is actually in hilly terrain... typically rolling hills. I'm okay at maintaining pace when things are flat but seem to always be riding away in the hills. So when I try and slow down, sometimes I slow down too much... the result is an induced oscillation of the whole paceline. I'm not sure if it's because I'm a better climber (I'm typically the lightest/smaller rider in the group) or if I'm just a bad judge of the pace needed to keep the group together during climbs (the more likely explanation). Either way, it's something I need to work on as I fear I seem to be fairly unhelpful at the front and I'd hate to lose people to ride with.

If possible, work on paceline technique on flatter terrain initially. Rolling/hilly terrain is much more difficult to keep a paceline together. And, the downhills can be dangerous.

I also recommend watching the other riders carefully, and try to emulate what the more competent riders are doing. Depending on the group, you can also ask for advice.

BTW - if it's a competitive group, riding off the front on a climb is not always a bad thing :) .

Those were great links. Thanks. My problem is actually in hilly terrain... typically rolling hills. I'm okay at maintaining pace when things are flat but seem to always be riding away in the hills. So when I try and slow down, sometimes I slow down too much... the result is an induced oscillation of the whole paceline. I'm not sure if it's because I'm a better climber (I'm typically the lightest/smaller rider in the group) or if I'm just a bad judge of the pace needed to keep the group together during climbs (the more likely explanation). Either way, it's something I need to work on as I fear I seem to be fairly unhelpful at the front and I'd hate to lose people to ride with.

Hills are hard to handle in pacelines. If the hill is steep, a paceline is pretty irrelevant because you are going to slow down enough that drafting will not be a facter. If you out climb your friends, you can slow waaaaaay down at the top, which is easy to do on a hill, and wait for them.

Another thing you can do, if you have a heart monitor, is to climb at the same heart rate as the heart rate you used on flat terrain. Most people put more effort into climbs though unless the hill is really long, so you can usually climb at a bit higher heart rate. Or if you have noticed you are stronger then your buddies you can make a guess at the effort level they can maintain in a climb and stick to that.

[Here are some links on paceline etiquette you might find useful:]

Really useful info on the links, thanks. I am generally a lone rider but have been invited in on some group rides in the spring season, so really pleased to gather as much information on pacelines as possible so I dont make a total arse of myself

Definatly very rude. Personally I cannot even imagine riding up on some ones wheel. They are probably training for crist sakes! It cant hurt to ask though, or at least say, 'Hi how are you' or something geesh.

I've had riders pass me,stay in front about 4-6 bike links and all the time i'm maintaining my same speed and cadence and he turns around and waves me off like i'm drafting.What the hell am i suppose to do,change my speed just so it doesnt bother this guy.

Here are some links on paceline etiquette you might find useful:

http://www.bgcycling.org/outspoken/2003/v2003406.html
http://www.teamabsolut.net/wisdom/group.htm
http://www.mssports.com/JMC/pdf/group_basics.pdf
http://www.tri-ecoach.com/art14.htm
Great info! Thanks SSP... :p

I've had riders pass me,stay in front about 4-6 bike links and all the time i'm maintaining my same speed and cadence and he turns around and waves me off like i'm drafting.What the hell am i suppose to do,change my speed just so it doesnt bother this guy.
Bugs the heck out of me, too. Happened again yesterday when we (me and 2 mates) were happily cruising at about 21-22mph. Guy passed us then proceeded to slow to about 20mph and then made a heckuva lot of noise and gestures at us to get off his wheel. Not only that, he had the audacity to wait at the start of the loop and try and tell us off!

I'm always careful not to draft people unless they know I'm there, and will try to take my turn pulling when I can. I normally ride with 1 or 2 others, so if we make a gradual pass on a lone rider we'll normally offer for them to jump on with us if they like. Very bad form to jump on the back wheel without asking, or at least announcing your presence. I can deal with rude people, but this can be just plain dangerous!

I ride solo most of the time, so I have not developed the paceline skill too much. I am beginning to ride with some other guys who do and I have been told to make sure you don't just jump on someone's wheel unless you know them and they are OK with it.

When I am out I am usuall training or working on a particular skill which may not be condusive to drafting. I usually try to put in one or two high intensity sprints and some hill work (big gears low cadence) which is really not a good thing to be behind since I usually try to simulate abrupt changes in grade by jumping up a gear or two and standing to peddle through slowly. Of course this means a rather abrupt change in speed. If they are still there (after I ask them to drop off) I just swing out to the left and drop back leaving them with a face full of wind and no warning. After a time or two they leave me alone.

It may sound harsh, but if a guy sucks my wheel without asking he deserves what he gets. I may politely ask him to back off and if he doesn't then I may just pull over and let him go.

Rude or just ignorant.

Lets not forget road biking is making a comeback thanks to LA. Not many of us new road riders are focused in on the whole "pulling thing". I road last summer several times with a new rider friend who never pulled and always enjoyed riding with me as he said "I always seem to go faster, and it seems much easier when I ride with you instead of alone", well DUH!

Even after I told him about drafting, he thought I was BSing him, so I had to prove it (like he could go distance at 25mph on a mountain on his own...it was funny to say the least).

Anyway, perhaps they were rude or just didn't know any better. Next time ask and you will have you answer.

I usually ride alone or side by side with my friends so we can talk. I was doing a century and looked behind me to see a group of 5 drafting behind me. Scared the heck out of me. I thought they were gonna run me down and steal my lunch money!
The guy behind me asked if I wanted a "pull" and I thought he meant he was going to literally pull me; with a rope or something. Or slingshot me like in rollerball. He explained, I joined and those 10 miles were the fastest, most efficient I've ever ridden. pacelines rule!

I thought they were gonna run me down and steal my lunch money!


LOL

I think you can expect that in a century ride but even so some folks may want to ride the century solo so it's better to ask. iow you may not want to jump in and start pulling like your doing someone a favor too. It may also be insulting.

If I pass someone, I just assume that they are going to draft on me. I act like they are on my wheel until I look and find out differently.

Thanks everyone for your replies, support and paceline etiquette tips and links. These guys were definitely on me like mold on cheese. Next time, I'm pulling over. If someone does not state their willingness to share the duties, then I want no part of doing all the work just for their benefit.

Thanks again,
Dan

Just slow down so much they pass you and then repay them.

I've had the same happen to me, the instance that comes to mind is the guy who I saw waiting where the river trail near where I work ends and the road begins. It was Santa Ana wind time and he was actually waiting for someone to come along so that he could draft them!! I didn't really care much even though I thought he was rude, and just kept riding.
But there are friendly riders out there too. On the same ride, about 8 miles down the road a stronger rider came along and saw that I was having a hard time with the wind and actually told me I could get on his wheel! As the road turned and the direction the wind was coming from shifted he moves across so that I could shelter slightly to the right of him. Unfortunately I could barely hang on at the speed he was going so I thanked him and backed off. We had dropped the rude guy a few miles back.

Any of you guys can wheel suck on me any time you like. I don't mind. I like the whole drafting thing. Front or back. Just remember guys, that guy behind you may be doing all he can just to hang on to you.

And God knows, I have done more than my fair share of wheel sucking. Especially when I was using my MTB on the road.