While commuting this morning on my racer (75k round trip) I joined a large (20-30 riders doing 35-40kmh) week day early morning training group that came past and drafted with them for around 10kms. It was pre dawn, they were all wearing their cool gear and I had a backpack draped with a reflective vest, ankle reflectors and a couple of red flashers! (I ride with a few other roadies at the weekend without a backpack and don't look like a dork normally )

I am new to the roadie scene (couple of months) and wondered if it was considered bad ettiquette to tag along with a morning training group on part of a commute. Started chatting to one guy and he soon moved off!

Thanks everyone!

Sounds just like typical Beach Road behaviour... Have heard of people being asked to leave small training groups, but if it's one of the regular rides such as the North road ride - it's open to anyone.

Like Dalai wrote, if it's a large enough group (and 20-30 is plenty large) and you're staying out of the way and in the back, i don't see any problem.

You're asking us whether it was o.k. to ride with them?

Why didn't you just ask them?

Bob

Welcome aboard. FWIW, it might be prudent to stay at the back and just get a feel for how the group is working before you try to join in. Some of us are wary of strangers...

Yeah, but with good reason...I've been taken down by some numbnuts who decided to "join in" with my local shop group. He was there for about 30 seconds before he hit the brakes, pulled into the gutter and took down 5 other riders. Busted Cervelo Prodigy, lost wedding ring, torn jersey, cuts & grazes...and cold sweats whenever I see a newbie.

In my view, you can do what you want if you can keep pace with them.

________________________________
Life is short. Save time for a bike ride.
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+1 as long as they know you're there and they're ok with it, you're fine.

That's why avoid the regular group rides! Though it's amazing how much moss a rolling stone gathers... the number of people who tag onto the growing train during my solo rides!

Yeah, that's why I generally head north these days... Kinglake, Wildwood, Warrandyte, Gisbourne...hilly but fairly quiet.

Take it easy.

All good loops. Weekdays I have to fit my rides before work, so will dawn late at the moment and limited lighting, I am forced to ride along Beach Road. I live inner East so head out usually through the Dandenongs and beyond on weekends.

Safe riding.

one thing I would recommend is turning the blinkies to solids. if someone has to look at them for too long they may go into a trance.

I guess it's OK as long as you're not going to the front and pulling too hard for them.

nicely played sir.