Road Cycling - First Ride with a Club

My plan is to ride with a club this evening. Since I am one of those triathletes that caused bikers to stop waving at each other ;) I have not done a whole lot of group riding. In fact, I could go so far as to say that the largest group that I have ridden with was three people.

My questions:
1) What is proper spacing?
2) What are the signals for things like mechanical problems, dog on the road, etc...
3) Will they kill this lone wolf?
4) Should I hang back and watch how things work on the first night?

Merci

I am from chicago as well...where do you find the club rides? I have yet to come in contact with a club ride or the opportunity to join a bike club. I need to bikes friends I think....



My plan is to ride with a club this evening. Since I am one of those triathletes that caused bikers to stop waving at each other ;) I have not done a whole lot of group riding. In fact, I could go so far as to say that the largest group that I have ridden with was three people.

My questions:
1) What is proper spacing?
2) What are the signals for things like mechanical problems, dog on the road, etc...
3) Will they kill this lone wolf?
4) Should I hang back and watch how things work on the first night?

Merci

My plan is to ride with a club this evening. Since I am one of those triathletes that caused bikers to stop waving at each other ;) I have not done a whole lot of group riding. In fact, I could go so far as to say that the largest group that I have ridden with was three people.

My questions:
1) What is proper spacing?
2) What are the signals for things like mechanical problems, dog on the road, etc...
3) Will they kill this lone wolf?
4) Should I hang back and watch how things work on the first night?

Merci

Groups ride vary quite a bit. Some are very fast. Most break up in to several smaller groups. You'll have to ride a few times to figure out which group you feel comfortable with.

Spacing depends. A group of experienced cyclists who ride together can ride inches off one another's wheel. Since you are probably not comfortable with a group you'll probably want to hang back a foot or two. But be careful not to hang back to much if they are riding a paceline, because you could pop everyone behind you off of the group. (It happened to me last night, but that's another story)

Signals are usually pretty universal, but could vary by group. Pointing down at objects in the road, potholes, etc for those behind is good etiquette, hand down for slowing or stopping, in a paceline you will want to point off to the side you're going to break off when appropriate. These are some of the basics along with the vocal signals such as "car back", or "car up, left, or right", "slowing", "stopping" and "will you come through and pull you son of a *****". (Oh, sorry, that was one I came up with last night :) )

If you ride a lot and do many triathlons I doubt you'll do too badly. It wouldn't hurt to kind of watch to see how things go for the first ride or two. And, contrary to what you may think, most group riders are pretty friendly, so you can always ask any questions. You might want to try to get together with someone before the ride who can answer any of your questions during the ride. Have fun.

google to the rescue :)
heres a link to a site that lists a bunch of clubs in illinois hope it helps.

http://www.mikebentley.com/bike/ilclubs.htm

http://www.chicagocyclingclub.org/rides/index.asp

In addition to what has already been said, don't use your aerobars on a group ride unless you're riding on the front.

In addition to what has already been said, don't use your aerobars on a group ride unless you're riding on the front.

This is good advice. We had a Tri guy in our group not long back who was in the aerobars in the middle of the group. There was some movement, an acceleration and he took out about 4 riders because he couldn't/didn't react properly.

What kind of dumbass would use aerobars in a pack? What kind of group would even let him? And who would even bring them to the ride?

What kind of dumbass would use aerobars in a pack? What kind of group would even let him? And who would even bring them to the ride?

I ride all my group rides with my TT bike as that's the only one I have, I do triathlons. The group ride I did last night has about 20 riders with aero bars out of around 60 riders. So, I guess to answer your first questions, I'm the kind of dumbass. Except for the fact that I, nor any of the other triathletes I ride with, would ever ride over my aero bars in a group ride.

What kind of dumbass would use aerobars in a pack? What kind of group would even let him? And who would even bring them to the ride?Why so hostile? Based upon Fatbomber's original post, it was clear that he didn't know the first thing about riding in a group. If you're only familiar with riding solo, then you don't know it's a bad idea until someone tells you. Gotta start somewhere. But you're right, the other riders likely would've told FB not to use them.

is there the possibility of aero bars hitting the back of the rider in front?

is there the possibility of aero bars hitting the back of the rider in front?The simple answer is "No". If you're asking why you shouldn't use aerobars in a group ride, the reason is because you're not as maneuverable when you're on the aerobars and you can't reach the brakes quickly enough. This makes it much more dangerous when riding in a group and increases the risk of riders going down.

Two things I've learned:
People don't like you on their right rear - be behind or to the left.
When it's tight, stay on the brake hoods to be ready.

Ask questions, people like to help.

G'day,

1/ Always sit on the back. The other riders in the bunch don't want you to take a turn.
2/ Leave big gaps between your wheel & the one in front. The guys behind you will appreciate the extra work they need to do to close the 'hole'.

3/ If you do take a 'turn', immediately sprint off the front. This increases the groups pace & causes the weaker riders to congratulate you on your fine 'legs'

4/ always clear your 'airways' when on the front or middle of the bunch...toward the middle of the bunch. This saves the problem of getting any 'deposits' on the road.

5/ Always start a conversation when pulling hard up the hill. The fact that your collegue can hardly breathe is not relevant. He will appreciate your conversation taking his mind off the task. Be sure to include questions which he has to answer. that shows you care.

6/ Be sure to overlap your wheel with the one in front. This will allow you to make erratic movements across the road when your 'friend' changes his line. The other members of the bunch will appreciate this opportunity to practise their reaction time/reflexes.

7/ Make sure that you are not 'self sufficent' on a bunch ride. Ensure you have to 'borrow' a tube, tyre, tools, money for cappucino etc whenever possible. This increases the opportunities for the other guys to 'get to know you'

8/ You absolutely must bring & use your aero bars!. 'Roadies' are usually jealous of the benefits these 'objects d'art' produce for triathletes & are more than happy for the opportunity to admire them up close.

9/ No, none of the members of the bunch have a phone number to make arranging future 'rendeavous' easy. Take this as a challenge. Send the clubbies numerous emails, texts, take out a personal ad!...they will assume that you are really keen to be involved & become a good 'clubby' & embrace all these things that make you, you.

10/ Ignore anything Hitchy says....he's still pissed off that Mick Rogers got caught up in the stage 3 TDF crash & is taking it out on you,

cheers,

Hitchy

I didn't mean to sound so harsh.

It boggles the mind though that anyone with some common sense would use aerobars in a pack.

When I raced I did two group rides a week. One with my teammates and one with 30-40 Cat 2-5 riders. It was hardcore. Aerobars were not even allowed.

Hitchy-very funny stuff, I really like the clearing your airways when you are at the front to keep the deposits off the road.

I didn't mean to sound so harsh.

It boggles the mind though that anyone with some common sense would use aerobars in a pack.

When I raced I did two group rides a week. One with my teammates and one with 30-40 Cat 2-5 riders. It was hardcore. Aerobars were not even allowed.

As a newbie cyclist here's my $0.02.

Knowing about aerobars, group ride ettiquette and all these other nuances might seem obvious as night and day to an experienced rider/racer... but when you are new to a sport, that type of knowledge isn't so obvious. Now that I've had someone explain to me about aerobars and groups, I can totally see the increased danger... but just looking at the bars on a rack at the LBS, they don't LOOK dangerous or less stable. As crazy as this might sound to you, I didn't even know you couldn't get aerobars with quick access to brakes until someone pointed it out to me... like I said, I'm new to the sport and have never used them myself.

In addition, prior to this years TdF, the only competitive cyclying I had seen before was in the Ironman... all THOSE guys use aerobars, so logically, why wouldn't everyone? Right? A bike is a bike is a bike, right? (of course, I'm not serious)

Just bear in mind that everyone here was a rookie at some point... better to point out the obvious to us than to assume we all know these things... that's my opinon at least.

As a newbie cyclist here's my $0.02.

Knowing about aerobars, group ride ettiquette and all these other nuances might seem obvious as night and day to an experienced rider/racer... but when you are new to a sport, that type of knowledge isn't so obvious. Now that I've had someone explain to me about aerobars and groups, I can totally see the increased danger... but just looking at the bars on a rack at the LBS, they don't LOOK dangerous or less stable. As crazy as this might sound to you, I didn't even know you couldn't get aerobars with quick access to brakes until someone pointed it out to me... like I said, I'm new to the sport and have never used them myself.

In addition, prior to this years TdF, the only competitive cyclying I had seen before was in the Ironman... all THOSE guys use aerobars, so logically, why wouldn't everyone? Right? A bike is a bike is a bike, right? (of course, I'm not serious)

Just bear in mind that everyone here was a rookie at some point... better to point out the obvious to us than to assume we all know these things... that's my opinon at least.


G'day Smaug,

Your point is well made. Certainly my previous post was with my tongue firmly 'planted in my cheek'.Sorry if it didn't come across that way!. I wasn't having a go at 'newbies'...as you said, we've all been there!. However, mention Triathletes to most roadies & you will get some angst, be it justified or not!. As a mate of my summed up Triathalons, "triathalons would be Ok if they got rid of the swimming & the running & just had 3 bike legs!"

cheers,

Hitchy

G'day Smaug,

Your point is well made. Certainly my previous post was with my tongue firmly 'planted in my cheek'.Sorry if it didn't come across that way!. I wasn't having a go at 'newbies'...as you said, we've all been there!. However, mention Triathletes to most roadies & you will get some angst, be it justified or not!. As a mate of my summed up Triathalons, "triathalons would be Ok if they got rid of the swimming & the running & just had 3 bike legs!"

cheers,

Hitchy

Oh, I had no problem at all with any of the posts here... I was just adding my perspective as a newbie rider to the conversation. I read your previous post and was cracking up laughing... the sarchasm was obvious... and funny.

I had no idea of the Triathalon/Cyclist rivarly, but hey... that sort of thing exists in life all the time.

Your quote reminds me of a buddy of mine who once said about Soccer (Football anywhere but the US)... he said, "Yeah, Soccer would be cool, if you made the ball oblong, put 11 guys on each side of the field, painted stripes on the grass every 5 yards, allowed the players to run with and throw the ball and called each score a "Touchdown" or "Field Goal". Other than that, Soccer is a cool sport."

:D

I didn't mean to sound so harsh.

It boggles the mind though that anyone with some common sense would use aerobars in a pack.

When I raced I did two group rides a week. One with my teammates and one with 30-40 Cat 2-5 riders. It was hardcore. Aerobars were not even allowed.

You do realize that not all group rides are "hardcore", don't you?