Group Riding Etiquette

[smilingcat]

20 to 30 is definitly too large for a training ride unless you all belong on a team and train together all the time. I declined an invitation about 20 years ago when they broke every promiss they made to me: no we don't run red lights nor stop signs, no we don't take over a lane on the road and stay within the bike lane, we always signal, we ride double pace line...

Don't be shy about voicing your concern. If you don't speak up, the group leader is not going to be aware of your situation. If you feel unsure about going down hill at 20mph, let your leader know so (s)he could adjust his/her speed. These group rides are meant to be FUN/safe/enjoyable and are meant to be a place to socialize with like minded people. A good group will accomodate their slowest and inexperienced riders.

And if their were 20 to 30 people, I'm sure their were others with similar riding experience as you. And you could form a slower/SAFE riding group. A seasoned rider should lead your group at your pace.

Shawn

[Deanna]

In my local club, the rule is you FOLLOW the rules of the road. We tend to go through stop signs/lights in as compact of a group as possibe, but not everybody can always make it though. In this case, those that go through should "soft pedal" until the rest of the group gets through and has a chance to catch up.

Regarding passing - people do it quite a bit - sometimes you want a different view, you get a burst of energy, though they should warn that they are "on your left" or "coming through".

I'm not a great downhiller either, I do my best to stay to the right so I can be passed. If I have the opportunity at the top, I suggest others get in front of me then so they don't have to pass later. This has the added benefit of giving me experienced downhillers in front of me whose line I can follow to help me improve this skill.

[RoadRaven]

Everyone else has pretty much covered what I would have added, so I won't go there... but Deanna mentioned going downhills in a bunch...

Etiquette - especially racing etiquette - suggests fast down-hilling should be done single file, never in a bunch.

It sounds like that is what was happening with slower down-hillers hugging the side enabling faster riders to pass and essentially keeping to one line.

Going downhill in a bunch - especially if there are corners, can be particularly tricky and sometimes downright dangerous.

[Deanna]

Actually, I wasn't talking about going down hill in a bunch. My descending skills haven't caught up to my climbing strength--so I'll try to stay to the right as much as the downhill will allow. Inevitably somebody who got to the top after me will want to pass me

[mimitabby]

Hey, some of those were the idiots I saw on the trail!!!

There's nothing wrong with going slow down hill. If it makes you feel better, put your right hand straight down and say "SLOWING" and slow down. People can and should pass you, there's NO WAY that 30 people can all go down a hill the same speed and maintain a single line.
The way my group does it is we pretty much each go our own speed up and down hills, and regroup at the top or bottom.

REmind the leader that people are going through stop signs and or passing inappropriately (on your right!) because that will encourage THEM to remind the
rest, hey, if you can't do this right...

You must have passed us. what color ribbons are you guys wearing?
mimi

[anorange]

Mimi, where did you see us, were we heading north or south. What did you see the 'idiots' doing? I was with the yellow ribbon group. Thanks for everyones replies. I will definitely speak with the ride leaders next ride I go on. And I will hang back at the top of a hill and let all who want pass me