Originally Posted by Bob Ross
+1
I really have to concentrate on this one; my natural tendency is to try to *maintain* the pace as the grade gets steeper, but I've had countless riders behind me chew me out for this! A coach suggested I should try to maintain the same effort rather than the same speed, and this certainly seems to make the riders behind me much happier.
Well there ya go... great minds think alike!
If you can time it right, put the weaker riders in the front on the climbs. They wouldn't be getting much draft benefit anyway, they can ride at their own pace, fast riders will still be recovering, and the fast guys can open up on the descent while the slower guys enjoy the sweet draft.
If it's a 3% or greater descent, You can pretty much go as hard as you want and not have to worry about the others (unless the fitness variance is huge). Just don't accelerate hard...