road ride help

[Grog]

A few more things:

If you're riding in the front with the coach, then follow her pace. You want to stay totally even with her. Don't worry about riding too slow.

As much as possible, never stop pedalling in a paceline. When you need to slow down, just start pedalling slowlier (i.e. without applying pressure to the pedals) and braking at the same time as needed. It will be easier to start pedalling again and will decrease the risk of creating gaps in the paceline.

If you go down, chances are many people behind you will go down too. Group safety is your (shared) responsibility.

Point potholes etc. only when you are comfortable and safe to do so. If you have balance issues and know that you will swerve when you point an object, don't. Often it's better not to point than to make the whole paceline unstable. I still don't point obstacles on my left side because I don't feel as strong holding the handlebars with only my right hand (I'm fine on the right side... I should practice this more).

FENDERS: It is extremely important, if you ride together in wet weather, that your fenders (and those of all other riders) go pretty low. Let me quote my coach, Judy Latoski, on this: "The rear fender should have an extension to go below the level of the wheel hub." It is a security issue. The lower the fender, the less risk that your wheel send debris in the face or wheel of the person behind you.

Illustration: We had a minor accident yesterday during our club ride because a huge metal wire that was on the road shoulder was shot directly from a girl's rear wheel into another's front wheel. The wire wrapped itself around the wheel and spokes and brought her bike to a very, very brutal stop (she flew over the handlebars). We were lucky that there was very little damage, this happened toward the rear of the double paceline we were riding and the others avoided the crash somehow. A bit of road rash, a few bruises, and a damaged wheel... (Plus: the end of her ride, and of my ride because I was close to my house and went to get the car to drive her home.)

Points to take home: 1) the wire could have flown directly to her face if the fender had been shorter, so keep 'em long (the fenders, not the wires); 2) practice group riding skills, bike handling skills, learn from more experienced riders, admit your ignorance and be ready to learn; 3) ALWAYS stay focused; 4) ALWAYS wear glasses, with clear or yellow glasses if needed, to protect your eyes; 5) use your peripheral vision but stay focused on what's ahead; 6) keep riding but please be safe. As Eden pointed out, road biking etiquette is usually all about safety.

Good luck!

[Veronica]

I want to know why your coach wasn't more specific about what you should and shouldn't be doing.

V.

[shadon]

I want to know why your coach wasn't more specific about what you should and shouldn't be doing.

V.

I was thinking the same thing. If her function was as a coach. She should have shown you how to correct what you were doing. Sounds like all she did was point what you were doing wrong.

Not much of a coach IMHO. I hate hearing this stuff...I've had so many nice experiences as folks have taught me things. It just makes it easier for me to ride with a group if I know what to do!

[RoadRaven]

Like the others, I am stunned at Coache's attitude... she should be telling you what/why/how... Are you able to approach her and say

..."y'know the other day out riding, I know I didn't have everything quite right - can you give me a few pointers... particurlarly when you said **** when I was riding beside you..."

Hopefully she'll see her roll as mentor and model and support your learning.

It is very important to ride at a consistent pace and in a straight, predictable way when with a group
I'm sure if you explain to everyone that you are learning about riding in a bunch and you want to stay at the back rather than be in the middle or at the front, they will all be very happy for you to sit on the back until you have gained confidence to take a turn at the front

Good on you for not being turned off completely by this womans grumpyness... perservere, riding with others is different from solo and offroad, and is a lot of fun.

[crazycanuck]

I forgot a smidgen bit of info. It's an informal ride and our coach (she runs the program) didn't join us at first..(although she was dressed for a ride...!) and caught up to us further down the track. It wasn't until she started riding with the three of us (myself and another chickie were waiting for one more lady-we were sort of riding together-) that I was told my biking etiquette was shocking...

It's basically my own fault for not knowing...i hardly attended the bike sessions....i'm going to attend more this session..

Thanks for the info ladies...


c

[Melody]

It's basically my own fault for not knowing...i hardly attended the bike sessions....i'm going to attend more this session..

I don't know if I necessarily agree it's your fault for not knowing. You can't correct what you don't know... and of course, it would have helped if she told you how to correct. But, I don't think you're at fault.

Mel

[Geonz]

I'd apologize to the coach for your etiquette, for missing the sessions, and ask her for more pointers. Our ride leaders often talk through the whats and whys on rides. I bet you could google for "paceline" and find some stuff online, too. Mainly the key is to be predictable and consistent.
I have trouble when I'm riding my heavier bike in a group because it accelerates and decelerates so much differently... if the group slows down, I have to brake my tractor trailer more, and then pedal madly when they accelerate, and it makes for more of an accordion than a pace line. I've learned to take the faster bike even if I would be able to keep up on the sturdy one.