Riders holding shoulders?

I have not seen this myself, I tend to ride in the country and rarely see groups of cyclists outside of the first few miles in a club ride :o

A co-worker asked me about something she has seen in downtown Indy, twice. There were several groups of cyclists out riding and several where holding/supporting the shoulders of another cyclist with their hand. Apparently they were riding like this, and she saw this multiple times that morning around the downtown area. One cyclist riding with one hand on another's shoulder - and apparently several in each group were doing this.

So she asked me "wazzup with that?" I don't know, so am asking her so I can pass along the info :D

I think they are practising a bunch technique.

DH was competing in a 160km cycle challenge and riding in a large bunch. He saw a guy have a front tyre blow out on a downhill (he heard the tube go) and the two guys on either side the rider grabbed an arm each and helped him slow down to the side of the road.

Also bunch ridiers "help" each other ie if they need to adjust a shoe or something on the bike by holding the person up a bit.

Thanks, I have passed the information along!

I got "pushed" that way when I was having trouble breathing. A much stronger rider rode by my side, pushed me, keeping me in the slipstream of the other riders, so my feet kept the same cadance, but I wasn't really working. All the while he was talking to me on trying to get my breathing under control (exercise induced asthma). I think we rode this way for a mile on the levee path.

I agree with what everyone else said. It is a bunch/pack skill. It is really useful if you need to look over your shoulder. Most people can look back for a quick second to see if there is a car coming or something without losing his/her line. However, a longer look back, to see if the whole group is together, for example, is more difficult. Put one arm on the shoulder of the rider next to you, and look over your opposite shoulder. Your partner will help you hold your line, so you can look back.