Originally Posted by wheelreason

If folks around you are yelling "slowing" when you touch your brakes, you are being heavy handed. Practice keeping a constant distance all the time, and anticipating changes in speed of the group. Also, sounds like your group shouldn't be riding too close together. Its best to ride with experienced riders, or at least folks you are familiar with when learning to follow a wheel. The lightly squeeze the brakes while pedaling thing is a good beginner/intermediate technique. You'll get better with saddle time, also be off to one side just a tad, in case you find yourself too close. rubbing wheels is an advanced skill...