First organized group ride?

[nafula]

I'm going on my first organized group ride in September, the Beautiful Back Roads Century.
http://hugeelvis.tripod.com/

So here's my question, I've only ever ridden with my husband, never in a group. What do I need to know about rules and etiquette and such, other than don't knock anyone off their bike?

[Eden]

with that number of people it shouldn't be too crazy.

A few things to remember:

always expect there to be people around you - so don't ever move laterally without looking even if you don't hear someone indicate "on your left"

If you are going to pass someone indicate that you are there, by saying "on your left" and don't ever pass on the right.

Don't join a paceline without asking, but don't worry either if you get stuck behind someone for a little while before you pass them. Just don't freak them out by following very close, while being entirely silent.

Always indicate if you are stopping or slowing, both with hand signals and vocally - it is also nice to point out road hazards - potholes and glass etc.

If you are slower up the hills, try to stay to the right so that others can go around.

[CorsairMac]

to add my .02 to eden: on the start, if you're unfamiliar with a group ride, you might want to stay towards the back............my first organized ride all those bikes starting out was a tad intimidating with people weaving all over the place trying to get started, clipped in, move to a better spot, etc etc. I had someone with me that was used to mass starts and he hovered close but it was still a little overwhelming.

[tulip]

Any chance you can do some group riding before the century for shorter rides? Practice makes perfect, in my book. Stay away from squirrelly riders, and it's best in the front or the back. If you feel uncomfortable, drop back. No need to be right on the wheel in front, and if someone is right on your wheel, kindly tell them to give you some more room.

Best of luck!

[kaybee]

Nafula, thank you so much for posting regarding this ride! DH and I had planned to do it, but I forgot that it was coming up soon -- gotta register. We will either do the 44 or 64 mile option not ready for a century yet.

KB

[bikerchick68]

another thing I'd add is to not cross over your wheels with someone ahead of you... if you ride up on someone and clip their back wheel, chances are that you will go down...

I did this ONCE at 18mph... and somehow kept the bke upright... but got slingshot' d into the traffic lanes of oncoming traffic the bike karma gods repaid me in that moment for every single flat I've ever changed for someone else.

[nafula]

Nafula, thank you so much for posting regarding this ride! DH and I had planned to do it, but I forgot that it was coming up soon -- gotta register. We will either do the 44 or 64 mile option not ready for a century yet.

KB

Yeah, I'm not doing the century either. If I'm lucky, and that's a big IF, I might make it 44. If not, I'll turn off at the 27.

Also, I intend to stay at the back the entire time. I'm not very fast, so I want to stay out of other peoples' way.

These are great suggestions. Thanks!

[Geonz]

I'd stay away from the *front* - but it can also be a mistake to want to start at the back, especially if you find a group of riders to hang with (which, if you're "just" doing 27 or 44, may not be doing the paceline thing - but just riding together).
I appreciate some of my regular, slower riders who will actually take off first when we've stopped, and ride a nice steady line, knowing that other riders will be coming along around them and joining them. It's psychologically also a lot less discouraging to be somewhere besides the back end all the time - and it's often a mistake to assume you *are* the slowest. There can only be one
If you're riding in a straight line and being predictable, you're not "in the way." It's a group ride; people will expect to deal with other riders
I agree, though, that your wisest move would be to find groups to ride with now. It's different! It's fun, though!