Can I pass you?

[BikeHN]

Alright, so I've looked as far back as 25 pages in the threads & didn't see anything that related to these questions so I'll start another thread...sorry, I'm still learning.
My questions are about group riding.

1.) Is it ok to pass? I know that sounds silly, but when I pass women (usually on an uphill) they end up passing me right back on a downhill and I don't wanna appear like the new rider trying to come in and just blast by people. I don't wanna look like the hotshot in other words. Not sure why, but I always feel awkward when I'm passing, like I'm new and shouldn't be doing that. I know, I know, silly.

2.) The group I've been riding with don't do any pacelining per se, but we do ride close on each others wheel. I've seen the word 'crowding' and I'm not sure what the difference is b/wn that and just riding someones wheel.

[malkin]

It's ok with me; I don't know about the group etiquette though.

[ny biker]

If you're going faster than someone else, then pass.

It does drive me crazy when someone passes me, then pulls right in front of me and rides slower than I was going. So then I have to pass them. Inevitably I come to an intersection where I have to stop, and just as traffic clears or the light turns they come up and pass me and sit in front of me again so I have to pass them again. This drives me crazy. Usually at that point I pull over and wait for a few minutes because I want them far away from me.

But if it's clear that you're riding at a faster pace, then go ahead an pass.

[indysteel]

What nybiker said. I call these people yo yos, and they drive me nuts. Just make sure that you announce yourself as you pass with an "on your left.".

As for riding someone's wheel, that's harder to say as it really depends on the riders in question. I don't generally mind it, but I give a little extra distance when riding a stranger's wheel. If someone's riding your wheel, make sure to signal or announce any raod hazards, stops, etc.

[tctrek]

I couldn't find any threads on TE, but there are lots of internet articles about group cycling etiquette, such as http://actionwheels.com/articles/cycling-etiquette-pg371.htm

Riding in a group has some great pros and cons. If you can hang with them, you get the benefit of the slip stream of the peloton. You can save a lot of energy that way. But if you are in the middle of the pack, you have to be super focused and aware of the riders all around you. Stay in your lane and be aware of the group slowing down or speeding up. If you accidentally tap the rear wheel of the person in front of you, you will go down hard and the people behind you will pile on to you. (I know this 'cause it happened to me!)

So, as a new rider you can benefit from the group, but you also have to have accountability -- know what's going on, what the various hand signs and verbal calls are so that you contribute to the overall safety of the group.

[Zen]

when I pass women (usually on an uphill) they end up passing me right back on a downhill

That's just physics and you can't fight physics. Once you get better at downhill maybe you won't have this "problem"

Just holler "passing on your left" and don't worry what anyone thinks.

[sundial]

Sometimes I'll ride beside someone so that they don't get the impression that I'm trying to drop them.

[Zen]

I thought it was because you're my friend.


I'm crushed. :(

[Trek420]

Is there a "club ride Emily Post" ;)?

If you're faster than me (and everyone is) pass me. Just call out, say something.

I do not like people hanging off my wheel nor do I want to ride too close to yours if I don't know you/your bike handling skills. I've heard it's considered bad manners to draft off someone without asking first if it's ok.

[TrekTheKaty]

I had this happen to me today. On an organized ride, I got stuck in a cluster of "coasters." We were staying together on the uphills, but I was faster on the downhills and I was having to ride my brakes. I've gotten better at taking advantage of downhills and carrying the speed into the next uphill. I waited for about a 1/2 mile then finally pulled out and passed several people. I didn't see them again for several miles and happily let them go by.

[Grog]

Remember that if you're riding someone's wheel (especially on windy flats) you might think you could just pass the person ahead, but then find yourself in the headwind and see your speed much reduced, causing frustration for the person who was pulling to begin with.

Common sense is good.

In some groups, the leader of the ride stays in front of the group for certain parts of the ride. You might want to inquire. This being said, usually on hills it's each to their own...