my58vw

After reading the "pedaling in a paceline" thread I got thinking about some past experiences with this. In the old A/B ride I used to ride when we got to a hill it was slow down city in the paceline, I mean from 18 to 12 MPH or less sometimes (weak climbers). I am sitting maybe 5th in line and have two options, move out of the line and power up the "short" hill = less work for me due to momentum or slow down and grind up the hill = more wasted energy. Does paceline edicate say stay in paceline or jump out and find your way up the hill?

BTW we are not racing... in a race if this happened (I have seen it) I would attack, hopefully with help, and get a breakaway going. Usually in that situation some will attack and the pace will be high anyway.

Mandy

EventServices

IMO, some hills are meant to be charged. Some hills are meant to be rolled over.

If the line is working really well together, I'd be reluctant to disrupt it.
But if one guy jumps, game on.
And regroup at the top, maybe.

And please change your avatar. ha ha ha

SteveAZ

When we approach a hill, if I'm not in/near the front I'll stay in the line until the pace starts to slow. When the pace slows I'll announce to the rider behind me "standing", accellerate, and jump out of the line.

Sub 20mph there's not much to be gained from a pace line anyway is there?

I've never been on a hill climb in a race situation (yet) or in a pace line where there weren't some slower riders (often me). Which brings me to another point, I'll also jump out if I feel I'm slowing somebody behind me down.

Steve

DamnRock

my groups philosophy is you ascend and descend on your own terms... everywhere else a paceline rules. of course "rolling" hills are an exception cause you can keep your speed if you want.

Rock

StanSeven

It really varies by the group. It you jump on your own, you leave those behind with a hole. If the group is staying intact, I would just hang on the wheel ahead. But once someone else jumped, I would too.

merlinextraligh

this really depends on the group, and to a lesser degree the hill. The folks I usually ride with are guys who race, or are very fast fitness riders. These guys are used to mixingit up and jumping out and attacking on a hill is no big deal. In other groups I ride with occassionally, what you describe would be considered a mortal sin. In my experience, groups that ride a little slower, and don't have people with racing experience are a little more touchy about anything that seems aggressive. I think you have to ride with the group a bit and learn the dynamic of that group.

SteveE

If you are riding together as a group in a paceline, I would say you should maintain your position in the paceline unless you see a gap opening up in front of you when the wheels you are following are falling off the pace of the leaders. In that case, I would then bridge up to the group ahead. (Of course, sometimes I am the one being passed. )