first group ride advice?

[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)