Originally Posted by
OldTryGuy
To those who might not want to join in a pace line group because of what you have read here, some can be fun while others can be anything but. As has been mentioned, if you join in the line, get a feel for how the group works, how alive the line is and go with the flow. When you find yourself up front and things are really moving, take a short pull and move over. Nobody will be upset. If you find yourself having a hard time but would like to stay with the group a bit longer, drop back and let the retreating rider pull in front of you by telling him/her to...go ahead.
I really enjoy the art and beauty of a well done paceline. And, I always learn something. But, unless I'm with people who know how to ride, I stay out of them. More riders in my club have gotten hurt from abrupt braking and overlapping wheels than all other factors combined. I have found that, as with motorcycling, a lot of cyclists come to the sport in mid-life and don't really know what they are doing.