Road Bike Racing - Crash etiquette?

okay, say you're in a race and you go down bringing at least another rider with you. what is the etiquette here? assuming no one is hurt too badly (i.e. no open head wounds or anything like that). okay to jump on the bike as fast as possible and leave them there?

Well, if you are racing with a team and the crash took place early, one or several of your team mates should drop back to the pack and waiting for you. Then, they will pace you back to the pack. If you ride unattached, depending on the race course and distance, your race may be over. I am always amazed how guys can get caught up in a crash and managed to join the pack. That's some crazy effort.


okay, say you're in a race and you go down bringing at least another rider with you. what is the etiquette here? assuming no one is hurt too badly (i.e. no open head wounds or anything like that). okay to jump on the bike as fast as possible and leave them there?

get up, dust yourself off, check the bike quickly, then back on and up to speed asap.

did you guys see the race on sunday? horner hit the ground hard and was at the front of the pack 2 laps later. amazing.

those that are unhurt/no mechanical issue, should be up and going just as fast as you, so you might have someone to try and pace back with.
but that depends on where in the race you are, if you crash within the last quarter of the race, the speed might be too high to catch back on.

I crashed once half way through the last lap of a 4 lap circuit race. the guy right infront of me went down and I just rode over him and fell over. we were going slow, but by the time we were both up and going the group was a ways off. I started going but soon realized that something was wrong, my chain wouldnt stay up on the big ring, so chasing for me was futile, i motioned to the other guy to go on without me. I just took it easy the last few miles to the finish.