First ride with a group -my thoughts and ?'s

When I ride my tribkie in group rides, I rarely draft directly behind another rider. I'm usually off the back a few lengths, off to the side, or pulling.

This ride has a 22mph group and a 23 mph group? Is there a group for every mph?

If you're doing drafting races, the typical tri bike isn't allowed. If you're doing USAT races, drafting isn't allowed?

When you are riding in a group, you should always be pedaling; as soon as I hear a hub clicking I am instantly wondering what has gone wrong.  You don't have to be putting any power to the pedals but keeping the pedals turning allows you to respond to changes in pace more efficiently when they occur. 

As far as the aerobars, unless you are doing a team time trial, you should only be in the bars if you are pulling or off the back.

And unless you are doing a draft legal race, you won't be doing much drafting (hopefully) in a race.  If you are in a draft legal race, you will need a bike setup with drop bars and shorty aerobars that are bridged.

Shane

It's interesting the answers on biking. My thoughts are this, if you are finished your pull, you can go area on the way back and stay aero until someone needs to draft on you, the next person back. Do NOT go aero when you are pulling as the next rider will not get the full benefits of your draft. It is a training ride, ask the other riders questions.

Pedal as you need to and it is ok to not pedal. I do find that once I have finished my pull and am back in teh pace line, I go one gear harder and use a lower cadence but can still respond to any changes in speed. One thing I noticed today was one of the riders was "eratic" (all over the place and in and out of saddle and just.. erratic) he was in front of me for several segments. I talked with other riders and they said he was new to biking and especially group pace lines.  

 You will get batter at when to be on you guard (and brakes handy) the more you ride. Always let your fellow cyclist know your intentions, (By singals or voice or coping the actions of those around you). Never be afraid to ask the gropup protocal.

Well today was the big bike day, over 200 bikers, and the 22 mph group had 50 riders so they split it up to 23 mph and a 22. 

Draft legal, when you say that does that not apply to most amatuer races?  When I sign up for the local  triathlon  later this month should be prepared to not draft off anyone?  Because my strategy going into races in the future will be to draft just because its soo much easier.  Will I get disqualified or should I just use common sense and before each race ask about the drafting situation?

There are only a handful of races that are draft legal; they will go over this in the pre-race briefing and probably go through what is considered drafting/blocking/etc.  It's definitely a good idea to read the USAT rule book before your race; even if it is not USAT sanctioned, the rules are pretty much the same.

Shane

As more of a roadie I can help a little here...NO AEROBARS unless your pulling...then your just Pi$$ing off the group behind you as they are not getting the draft benefit...

You need to learn to close those gaps...hug that tire in front of you to complete the paceline...what...you say you can't draft in a race why bother...well then stay in the back...you riding that far off creates a yo-yo effect and hurts everyone thats behind you...you will be surprised how well your bike handling skills will improve by hugging that tire in front of you...

Couple simple rules for hugging tires...

never let your tire touch the one in front...unless you like road rash...

always give yourself an out...meaning do not ride on the RIGHT side of a tire...if he goes right your off the road or into his back wheel...there again road rash...

Never draft off a newbie...they will kill you plain and simple...find a more experienced rider and hug the wheel...feel him out learn his responses to different situations...you will both go faster...

Stay towards the front third of the pack...its usually a more experienced group that rides there as they don't mind pulling through...after your pull slide back 6 to 15  riders (depending on group size)or so and ride the gap between two bikes they will usually part and let you back in...if your toast go to the back and hang on...

After your pull increase one gear and slow cadence...but do not lose that tire in front of you...the slower cadence allows you to stop pedalling and coast as to stay off the brakes...if your going to coast intothe guy in front...ease to the left and increase frontal area and let the wind slow you down...don't touch those brakes...it only pisses off the group behind you...and if the group is long enough the yo-yo effect it can create is HUGE...

Everyone should ride paceline as a way to improve bike handling skills...its just another tool to add to the package...

good luck hope this helped

I agree.

If you're on the aerobars then you should be well off the back of the pack simply because it is not safe to be riding inches from other peoples wheels (and shoulders if you have a double paceline going) in aerobars.

Another roadie here!

Talk to people before the ride and ask how they handle pulls, paceline, dropping people,  pointing out obstacles etc., Go with an open attitude and be willling to accept feedback on your riding style and  mistakes.  Ask someone to help you learn how to ride in a paceline.

Don't get offended if someone tells you to get off of their wheel or that you are riding too close. It is for your safety and the safety of the group.

Know how to change your own flats and how to take care of mechanical problems. Know how to get home in case something happens.

Never ride aero unless you are pulling or a few bike lengths off the back of the pack.  I still ride with my club but don't ride in the paceline during tri training. My focus is on not drafting to get ready for races. I ride at least 8 bike lengths behind the back of the paceline.  If you aren't riding in the paceline then let the group know.

As others have said you should never stop pedaling in the line.