paceline question

[Becky]

On yesterday's group ride, there was one guy "Sam" who was very strong but very squirrelly on the bike. Weaving back and forth, inconsistent cadence, abrupt gear changes, braking, the whole bit. I was riding in the middle of the pack, and was doing well, as long as I wasn't behind this guy. If I was behind Sam, I couldn't safely get close enough to draft off of him, so I'd start falling off the back.

What would you do in this situation?

[OakLeaf]

Ah, the perennial problem.

Is Sam new to group rides? If so, I wouldn't hesitate to speak with him and/or point him in the direction of websites with some general etiquette guidelines.

Is there a designated ride leader? If so, speak to them and ask them to speak to Sam.

If neither of the above... when I'm in that situation, I just make sure that the next time the paceline breaks for a busy road crossing or whatever, when it re-forms, I'm not behind that guy. (Also that I'm not in front of him [why is it always a him ], because those are the same people who jump when they get to the point, meaning I'd have to bust my *ss to get to the back of the paceline after my pull is over and wouldn't get a chance to rest.)

[Becky]

I am new to this particular group but, from what I understand, Sam is fairly new to cycling altogether. Given my own recent entry with this group, I hesitate to say too much directly just yet.

However, there is a ride leader- a guy that I work part-time with. Next time I see him, I think I'm going to speak with him.

It's so frustrating, cuz this is a "rip your legs off" kind of ride, and I was so stoked to find that I could hang with these guys. Except when on Sam's wheel

[Loraura]

I'm sure he just doesn't realize that you can't coast/push/coast/push with people pacelining behind you. Lots of people who ride alone do not even realize that they don't maintain a consistant cadence or speed.

I bet that he doesn't realize every one of his moves gets exaggerated behind him. Sounds like an education issue.

[bmccasland]

I'd make it a point to do whatever it takes to maneuver myself so that I'm not behind Sam.

Or say something to him along the line of "hey man, you know when you coast or drift or reach for your water bottle it makes it real hard to concentrate on maintaining the the paceline". Make sure you're smiling when you say it too. Try to keep it light.

If Sam Squirrel is always a squirrel, I'd make sure he's never in front of me. There used to be a rider with our office group that couldn't ride a straight line to save her life, and even when my lungs were craping out on me, so I couldn't take my turn a pulling, I wouldn't let her back in the line in front of me. Eventually one of the better guys had words with her.

On the other hand, if it's something like Sam veers off when he's reaching for his water bottle or putting it back, then grab yours and drink too. I know I still have trouble staying in the line when I try this little skill.

[OakLeaf]

I know I still have trouble staying in the line when I try this little skill.

I thought it was bad form to drink when you're not at the end of the paceline? Not only because some people have trouble doing both at the same time, but because of the chance of dropping the bottle?

Actually, those are the people I will speak to directly, whether I feel I have the "authority" to say anything else to them or not - people who insist on staying at the end of the paceline, and wave everyone in ahead of them. "I'd like to take a drink and clear my nostrils, please. Why don't you just stay in line and then when you get to the front, you can just peel off, you don't need to pull." If they still want to stay behind me after I've announced my intention to blow a snot rocket, they're on their own.

[TxDoc]

I thought it was bad form to drink when you're not at the end of the paceline?

Don't know - I do not see a problem in drinking or eating in the paceline, as long as you can keep the paceline going and not disturb anyone. Of course I wouldn't do it on a TTT but on a regular club ride there should be no issue.