Riding in groups - semi-vent

[latelatebloomer]

I dream of the day I'll be comfortable enough with my skills - and trusting enough of others - to draft. My comfort zone is huge - very happy with 8 feet between me and the next bike, thanks. I know that isn't acceptable for group riding, so I grit my teeth, try to select the most experienced riders, and force myself to close the gap.

I think it all comes with experience, DDH, and you can't hurry experience, just ride and ride. And oh, yeah, fat chicks on bikes totally ROCK.

[Nanci]

The _president_ (of the cycling club) had his first crash ever, today, right in front of me, and thank God I didn't run him over!!! Caused by touching the wheel ahead. But the person belonging to that wheel was accordianing back and forth, caused by pedaling, coasting, pedaling, coasting rather than soft-pedaling or whatever you call it, to slow up a little rather than coasting and drifting back, then surging ahead when starting to pedal again. Pres had been handling that for miles by drifting left every time she'd coast, (which is ok every so often but gets annoying after a while if you have to do it over and over and over, which is why I had dropped back from third place to back behind Pres- hoping for accordian relief) but apparently got too close for a second...Luckily I'd been watching things like a hawk and was able to swerve left (rather than braking and causing a pile up!!) even though I was about a foot and a half behind him. The person behind me also avoided the crash.

I think I am going to start carrying my Brave Soldier antiseptic spray on the bike, rather than in the first aid kit in the car. He avoided major injury, just a bit of road rash on one leg, no torn clothes, bike unscathed. Lucky.

BTW, witeowl, this was a perfect example of how if you touch someone's wheel, _you_ are the one who's going to crash, probably not the person you touched. But I agree with everyone else- if you don't want to appear to be lagging/flagging, you can't keep a bike length between you and the bike ahead. Maybe you could practice at the back of the line, where there isn't any pressure on you, and get closer and closer to the bike ahead as you gain confidence. The group has to be reliable, though- you have to be able to trust them to inform you of slowing, stopping, road hazards, etc. There shouldn't be anyone slamming on their brakes in a paceline. If you start to catch up the rider ahead to an uncomfortable distance for you, just drift left a bit and catch some wind to slow down a bit while continuing to pedal softly, then drift back over. An experienced rider behind you will see what is going on and not rush to fill in the gap.

Or ride in a more relaxed group, if there is one available.

Nanci

[RoadRaven]

BTW, witeowl, this was a perfect example of how if you touch someone's wheel, _you_ are the one who's going to crash, probably not the person you touched.
Nanci

This is exactly what caused the crash a couple of months ago in our club that led to the death of one of our members a few days later.
Remember to be careful about how you follow the rider in front because it is very easy to put yourself in hospital - or worse.