Originally Posted by
Campag4life
Best reply I have read. Thanks. Makes the most sense. Believe the answer to my question is then...when your time to pull, pull the same speed the line has been moving in. If you don't feel you can do this, immediately rotate back such that you don't slow the momentum of the line down. Which begs the larger issue, if you can't pull in front at the pace the line, maybe consider dropping off the back completely. This is what I would do. Reason is, you are not pulling your weight and maybe shouldn't be there.
Most of the pace lines I've been involved with likes everyone to rotate even if you drop off the front immediately.
But good question. There are lots of training rides around here where both independents and people from other teams ride by themselves. Most groups don't mind others joining in as long as they know what they are doing.