giving up the lead

[Pedal Wench]

Typical signals that I know of are a flick of the left elbow, or point down and out to the left, or shout out, "pulling off."

[OakLeaf]

In our Florida clubs, it's smacking your hip with your hand. Never seen that anywhere else, though.

[nolemom]

In our Florida clubs, it's smacking your hip with your hand. Never seen that anywhere else, though.

Since I have only ridden in Florida, I thought that was the accepted signal. Thanks for the heads up that it isn't universal.

[maillotpois]

Look left to make sure no cars coming, then pull off to the left a little while waving your right hand where they can see it in a sort of "come on forward" wave. The elbow flick is a little subtle unless you are racing or otherwise know to look for it. Slow down enough so that they can go by you without increasing their speed. If they don't get it you can call out "Rotating!"

[indysteel]

In our Florida clubs, it's smacking your hip with your hand. Never seen that anywhere else, though.

That's the signal we use in Indiana. I don't know that I would use it with strangers who just happen to get on my wheel though as it's not universally understood.

I'm not a fan of people I don't know getting on my wheel. If someone does, however, and I don't ask them to back off, then I do what I need to do to keep us all safe. That means pointing out road hazards and maintaining a steady pace. To get off the front in that situation, I would yell behind me that I'm coming off the front. Presumably, they'll be willing to pull at that point. But since I'm also not a fan of being on a stranger's wheel, I'd probably just let them go on without me or keep what felt like a safe distance.

[Miranda]

Thx for those responses.

In just a general net article from a link I found here on TE, the "flick of the left elbow" was the sign to get off the front. Check traffic, then move over left, soft pedal to float back.

That is very interesting about the state specific signals. Next club ride, I will ask around to our leaders if there is something for our area that most peeps should know. Or, if the wind is not so strong that you can hear... "pulling off!" is pretty obvious I would think. Or, stating, "let's pull for 2mins" is good. I somehow had this feeling that they might not have really understood about rotating too.

I kinda felt the same way as to what IndySteel was saying. Being cautious when you don't know the peeps.

Point in case of knowing your partners...

The gal that has become my regular riding partner apart from club rides, is not really "interested in learning / doing a full pace line rotation" she's told me (doesn't want to ride that effort, etc.). Which is ok with me when I'm with her. But, still the less... we end up taking turns riding off each other's wheel with traffic and the need to be single file etc.

I *know* from riding with her enough, that she is a "pedal, pedal, X # strokes then *coast X sec*... resume pedal". Thus, I stay slightly further back, and anticipate that she has not had a *coast* stroke in a while & prepare to re-act.

One of my super strong guy buddies... is 90rpm cadence consistently come he$$ or high H2O until there is a hand signal to slow. Him... I follow much closer than my gal friend.

[Zen]

I should go to bed. I thought that said "giving up the dead"

[maillotpois]

Bring out your dead! Bring out your dead!

[witeowl]

I'm not dead yet!

[indysteel]

Thx for those responses.

In just a general net article from a link I found here on TE, the "flick of the left elbow" was the sign to get off the front. Check traffic, then move over left, soft pedal to float back.

That is very interesting about the state specific signals. Next club ride, I will ask around to our leaders if there is something for our area that most peeps should know. Or, if the wind is not so strong that you can hear... "pulling off!" is pretty obvious I would think. Or, stating, "let's pull for 2mins" is good. I somehow had this feeling that they might not have really understood about rotating too.

I kinda felt the same way as to what IndySteel was saying. Being cautious when you don't know the peeps.

Point in case of knowing your partners...

The gal that has become my regular riding partner apart from club rides, is not really "interested in learning / doing a full pace line rotation" she's told me (doesn't want to ride that effort, etc.). Which is ok with me when I'm with her. But, still the less... we end up taking turns riding off each other's wheel with traffic and the need to be single file etc.

I *know* from riding with her enough, that she is a "pedal, pedal, X # strokes then *coast X sec*... resume pedal". Thus, I stay slightly further back, and anticipate that she has not had a *coast* stroke in a while & prepare to re-act.

One of my super strong guy buddies... is 90rpm cadence consistently come he$$ or high H2O until there is a hand signal to slow. Him... I follow much closer than my gal friend.

You're definitely more patient than I am. I hate riding behind people who don't maintain a steady cadence. I'd either have to say something or not ride with them. I'm a big beliver in tough love when it comes to group riding. If someone can't appreciate the value of constructive criticism or think they don't have anything to learn, then I don't care to ride with them. Pride has no place when it comes to bike safety.

[channlluv]

D*H is always talking about his cadence. As a fairly new rider, I only know a little bit about that. I know if I were riding in a group, I'd probably be paying more attention to the people in front of me than the number on my handlebar computer.

I can't imagine staying 2" off someone's wheel. Geez.

I think I'd drive most of you crazy if you tried to follow me. This thread has made me really consider my riding cadence, holding a line, and not flapping my elbows about if I'm in front of someone. Ha!

Roxy

[OakLeaf]

D*H is always talking about his cadence. As a fairly new rider, I only know a little bit about that. I know if I were riding in a group, I'd probably be paying more attention to the people in front of me than the number on my handlebar computer.

I can't imagine staying 2" off someone's wheel. Geez.

I think I'd drive most of you crazy if you tried to follow me. This thread has made me really consider my riding cadence, holding a line, and not flapping my elbows about if I'm in front of someone. Ha!

Roxy

Pacelining is an intermediate to advanced skill. If you want to learn, there'll be plenty of time.

Work on holding your line (that's important regardless; you want to be predictable to other users of whatever road/trail you're on); work on pedaling steadily rather than pedal/coast/pedal/coast. Get comfortable with glancing down at your computer to see your speed and elapsed time, without taking your attention off the road. When you feel like you have those three things down, then it's time to think about joining a paceline.

[Eden]

hmmmm patting your hip (or butt or waving your hand around your back) around here means there is an obstacle coming up on that side- like a curb that sticks out or a parked car. Do that here and everyone might move over, but its unlikely anyone would come around If you want someone to come around either flick your elbow, but like Oak says a lot of people miss this one, or wave them through with forward motion of your hand.