first group ride advice?

[Darby361]

This weekend I will doing my first group ride! It is advertised to be well within my abilities, and I am very excited! I ride a lot with my friends, but I expect in a large group things go differently. What do I need to know about riding in groups? Etiquette? Rules? Safety concerns?

Thanks!
Trish

[F8th637]

I'm contemplating my first group ride as well this weekend. Looking forward to what everyone has to say!

[missymaya]

I would first try to talk to the group ride leader and explain the position your in. Etiquette: If this is your first group ride try not to spit or blow your nose on anyone, which means, if your in the back, do what you want, but anywhere else and be aware. I hate it when people spit and I get their junk on me .
As for safety, just be sure to be steady when you ride. It makes people nervous and you nervous if your steering is real jerky. Try to find a wheel that is steady to follow. That will help you stay steady as well. Let people know when there is crap on the ground like glass or a hole and signal where (or yell) and let people know whether or not your slowing. It's funny and scary when I ride with the fast group b/c they never say anything and the potential for crashes is truly frightening but when I ride with my ladies group, no problems, people know what's coming their way.
If anything, find someone to take you under their wing and show you the ropes. When I first started group riding, my group had a beginners training session and beginners group (for those who couldn't make the sessions). Or, if there is a group of you who haven't ever ridden in a group ride, maybe ya'll could start a beginner's ride with a few experienced riders to help you along.
Hope this helps and of course, have a great ride!

[JenLeath]

If anything, find someone to take you under their wing and show you the ropes.

I joined the same group as a friend of mine, I just stayed behind her and copied what she did. When she swerved, unclipped or gave a hand signal I did the same. It was nice. Even if you don't know anyone, cyclists mostly are very eager to help out a newbie. They remember how it was in the beginning for them.

Good Luck
Jen L

[Melstar]

Clock a couple of miles under the belt before going on a group ride.

The group I went with didn't have a 'beginners' group, so I ended up roughing it out with the 'intermediates'. I got totally dropped by everyone and my friend & this other guy had to pull me all the way back.

It was really awkward cuz they tried striking up a conversation with me but I was so Damn tired that I didn't feel like talking.

But yea, get a couple of miles under the belt and spin along at a low gear.

[F8th637]

Clock a couple of miles under the belt before going on a group ride.

The group I went with didn't have a 'beginners' group, so I ended up roughing it out with the 'intermediates'. I got totally dropped by everyone and my friend & this other guy had to pull me all the way back.

It was really awkward cuz they tried striking up a conversation with me but I was so Damn tired that I didn't feel like talking.

But yea, get a couple of miles under the belt and spin along at a low gear.

LOL Thank God the group I am considering has a 'no rider left behind' policy.

[melissam]

Everyone's given some very good advice here. I think it's wise to tell the ride leader that this is your first ride, and to give them an idea of what your abilities (speed, hill climbing, etc.) are. Being predictable when riding in a group is extremely important.

And not blowing your nose/spitting while in the paceline...that could be the most important one of all!

Be ready to ride at the posted start time! Your bike tires should be inflated, and everything (brakes, drivetrain) working as expected.

I'm not sure if you normally bring the following with you:
- ID
- Medical card
- phone number to call in case of emergency
- food & water
- extra tube, patch kit, multitool
- $$

Cindysue posted group etiquette recommendations in her hill climbing thread:

Respect Group Ride Etiquette

o Introduce yourself, welcome new cyclists, and offer assistance if needed
o Be punctual - arrive with your gear and equipment and ready to ride
o Use verbal or hand signals when slowing, stopping, turning or rolling
- left arm straight out to signal a left turn
- right arm straight out for a right turn (some groups use the left arm at a 90 degree angle pointing upward)
- palm or fist behind your lower back to signal slowing or stopping
o Be courteous
- announce "On your left!" when passing cyclists. Pass *only* on the left
- move to the right if a cyclist indicates they want to pass on your left
- ride single file; two abreast if wide bike lane or very quiet street
- indicate road hazards by pointing them out and/or by shouting
- announce problems like open car doors, debris on the roadway, etc.

[alpinerabbit]

Don't watch the wheel when riding in a paceline, instead look ahead and keep the wheel "in the periphery of your range of vision". Keep the distance to the wheel in front of you steady and never overlap.
Stay concentrated. It's a bit hard when you get tired. That's a somewhat strenuous part of group riding, I find.

Don't slam on the brakes, instead feather them or just coast to slow down - generally do not slow down abruptly.

[Darby361]

This is great stuff! Thank you so much. I will be calling the leader tonight, but I think this is the perfect ride for me to get my feet wet with. It is advertised as social, 12mph ave, and regrouping.
As for the body fluids... yuck! That is why I keep tissues in my pocket...
Thanks again,
Trish

[limewave]

Get there early to warm up and to get rid of some of the jitters. Bring your gear bag with a cooler and warmer clothing option (I live on the lake, it could be 15 degrees warmer or colder than where the group ride is taking place).

Try not to brake ever (unelss at a stop sign). If you do, signal first.

Keep peddling--you don't want to push hard to catch the group and then coast. This creates a yo-yo effect and everyone has to work harder. You should try to keep a consistant and constant cadence.

Do a short pull at the front when you get there--only 30 to 45 seconds. You don't want to tire yourself out so that you get spit-out the back when you drop.

When you pull out from front, don't make a drastic swerve or sit-up. Keep a steady pace and just ease over. I usually make a signal by tapping my toosh.

[melissam]

Oh boy, I thought this went without saying, but after perusing one of the other threads on TE, here's some more group riding etiquette:

- no cell phone conversations while riding
- no iPod/mp3 players/any device with headphones

Wow.

-- Melissa (not that anyone on TE would engage in these behaviors)

[Darby361]

Thank you ladies, the ride went real well! I rode 36 miles and had a blast. I learned a lot from riding with these experienced people, and look forward to the next ride. Thanks for all the tips, they came in handy!
Trish