Your First Three Years ~ Part 7:

Riding in groups 101

A Guide for Beginner (and Experienced!) Cyclists, to the Art and Practice of Cycling.  Becoming Proficient, Fit, and Happy on your bike.

A parable with two morals:

Once upon a long long time ago, a Mighty King (herafter known as MK for short) had a bit of a problem.  You know.  Beautiful daughter, uncertain succession, wealth, the usual.

MK was conflcted.  On the one hand he wanted his daughter to be happy, and to find a suitable mate, one who could take over the job of Mighty Kingship.  On the other hand, he really didn’t like most of her suitors, and he really didn’t want the apple of his eye to marry and leave home.  So…

MK was struck by a thought.  He decreed that his daughter and half his gold would go to the man who could leap over the tall hill behind the royal palace.  And…  MK added with a touch of gleeful malice, any applicant who attempted the feat and failed would be put to death in the most horrible fashion imaginable.

Said hill was about forty feet high, and had an average grade of just over 10 percent.

Naturally, on hearing the decree, most of the potential suitors packed up and headed out to look for other powerful men with beautiful daughters.  The remaining suitors stayed around and studied the problem.  The strongest among them actually attempted the thing… with predictable results.  (I said they were the strongest, not the brightest.)

Then, one morning, and old and somewhat enfeebled man walked up to the palace and declared that he would take up the challenge.  “Now this ought to be good,”  MK thought.  The whole court went outside to watch the elder gent.

The old man walked up to the base of the hill.  He stood for a moment.  Then…

He took a small short jump up onto the hill.  And another.  And another.  And in so doing, he jumped his way up one side of the hill and down the other.

MK wasn’t happy but he was a man of his word.  “You have won the hand of my daughter and half of my gold,”  he declared.

“Sire,”  the old man said,  “You can keep the girl.  Beautiful young women are nothing but trouble, and I have no need of that.  But your gold will certainly come in handy.”

MK flew into a rage and had the old man fed to the lions.

Moral the First:  Often the best way to tackle a big task is a little bit at a time.

Moral the Second:  Know when to shut up and walk away.

Learning to ride a bicycle well, competently, effectively, and safely is a bit like leaping over that hill.  It’s best done in small steps, incrementally, and with close attention.

The above is especailly true of going out on group rides.  The “big group ride” can be an intimidating thing.  How does one act?  What’s the protocol?  Will I hold them up?  Will I get elft behind?  What’s the etiquette on these things?  Is there a secret password?  What are the rules?

The truth is, there are not many rules.  The customs and conduct of group rides vary depending on the group, and on the purpose of the ride.  But before getting into that, there are two very important principles. 

Always, each of us is alone in the responsibility for our own safety. 

The Law, the rules of the road govern our behavior on the road.

Now on with the discussion…

It’s hard to know, in advance, just what the character of a given ride is like.  Some are all-out, take-no-prisnoners, suffer parties.  Others very cordial and relaxed.  Sure, there’s sometimes some printed, or posted, information.  This can include things like average speed, distance, and the conditions that will cancel the ride.  That’s useful, but it can also be misleading.  Ultimately, you need to go and try it.

For good measure, it’s usually a good idea to do your first group rides in territory that you are familiar with.  That way, if things work out that you are “dropped,” you will know how to get home.

Remember the parable above.  If it seems like you’ve got in over your head, or things are a bit too intense and weird…  Bail!

When you first go out to a group ride, don’t be bashful.  Arrive early.  Get yourself and your equipment ready in good time.  Then introduce yourself around the group, and be quite honest about your capabilities and experience.  Most likely you will find one or more members of the group who are willing to show you “the ropes.”

Behavior on the Ride:  Do’s and Don’ts

Do be on time.

Do make sure all your gear is secured and do it before the ride starts.  (More crashes are caused by dropped water bottles and computers than by motorists.)

Do leave an adequate amount of room around you.  (You can learn to pace line later!)

Do Communicate!  Shout it out.  “Slowing!”  “Car back!”  “Right Turn” etc.  You simply can’t give the other riders too much information.

Do shout those warnings out.  You are facing into the wind, they are behind you!

Do point out obstacles and hazards.

Do use hand signals.

Do  look through the riders ahead of you.  It’s your responsibility to avoid obstacles and problems.

Don’t drop your water bottle!

Don’t hit the brakes when you do drop your bottle.

Don’t drop your ride leader.  This will get you talked about and likely lost.

Don’t let your wheel overlap another rider’s.

Don’t assume the other riders heard it.  Repeat the warnings.

Don’t take it personally!

Don’t become an obstacle or a problem.

Don’t pass another rider if there is a car behind you!!!!!!!!

And here’s a great big one.  There is a weird sort of “shared irresponsibility” syndrome on many group rides.  Just because all the “big kids” are doing it, does not make it right!  Be a grown up!  Follow the law and ride safely!  Don’t blow stop signs.  Don’t block traffic.  Be courteous.  Remember!  You reap what you sow.

Next Week: Traffic Survival 102

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This series began with the post on Tuesday, 19 June 2012.  It is intended to continue for three years.  Each week, we will discuss exercises, skills, practices, and activities designed to bring the new (or “experienced”) rider a high level of cycling competence.  We’ll address common problems, and (always) stress safe practice.

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A Note on Timing:  This series uses Mid-June as the starting point of the “Cyclists Year.”  We do this because this is the time that most folks decide to start riding.  If you are following this guide, you can “adjust” the timing to fit your personal “first three years.”  Do note that some of the posts will concern weather and seasonal changes.  When that starts to happen, just swap the “months” around to fit your personal timeline.