TOTW: Group Ride Etiquette - a primer

Great topic Brian and Dan also made an excellant point.  I have noticed that a lot of very, very strong triathletes idea of a group ride is several people riding together seperately.  By that I mean, they do not want to ride or want to know how a roadie group ride goes.  Even now I see a lot of triathletes that are not trying to be rude, they just do not realize that roadies DO NOT want to be around you if you are in the areo position.

As Dan said and I mentioned this on the NAMSC club page last week.  You are a more complete rider if you spend some time in roadie group rides and not just the way that we do group rides in NAMSC. 

The last thing that I would mention without getting out my laundry list of etiquette rules would be to watch other people and do what they do.  Most things should be common sense, but you will not go wrong too often if you are not too agressive and try to pay attention to other riders.

Huge tip for pack riding...DO NOT OVERLAP wheels with the guy in front of you!  I can't tell you how many people find out the hard way on this one.   The pack will ebb and flow forward and backwards side to side. 

Second tip, do not throw your bike into a gap when the gap is too small for your bike or just big enough.  Again, I see new riders pushing towards the front and do this move.  It is rude and you will get a few words for your aggressive riding.

brian - 2009-04-14 7:57 AM

jonathan22 - 2009-04-14 6:05 AM Roadies scare me.

I used to share that sentiment but have since found that riding with Roadies will make you a better cyclist ... just don't rub the fact in that you can also swim + run.

I like to spend the whole ride trying to talk them into a nice 5 mile run after we get back to our cars. 

Fixed.

While I realize the sarcasm font was implied for many of us veterans and retired folks, 'tis the season for newbies, many of whom start out as awesome single sporters.  Let's be mindful of that.

As someone who oversees 4 weekly group rides and some additional "every now and then" rides, I agree with much of what's already been written in terms of expectations and etiquette, so not much by way of specifics to add.  My advice is pretty simple. I encourage newer-to-group-riding people to be up front about their experience, or lack thereof, when they show up.  Even if you've done all your homework, it helps you make a connection to the group and you might find out something you didn't already know.  As someone mentioned above, it doesn't hurt to ask about grouping/regrouping/sweeping, etc.  I find that ride leads are appreciative of this, are generally helpful to those who are less familiar with group riding etiquette, and, if time allows, happy to brief them on what to expect.  That said, as Brian mentioned above, wheels down times are prompt, so arriving early to get that information and get ready to roll is important.

There is a good overall list of etiquittte here:

http://bicycletrip.com/page.cfm?pageID=150

I ride with a regular group which also has several triathletes.  Just remember to stay off the aero bars when in the pack!  If you are unsure of how to ride in the group, stay to the back and watch, you will quickly learn by watching the group. 

That is a good one, the only thing I would add is that if you do, it would be courteous to replace the tube and CO2 cartridge if you know you will see them again.  Most people do not think about this.  Someone just gave you about $6 to ride and they may not know you that well.

Kudos Brian, I hate to see anyone litter and I certainly think that having the class not to is a huge part of etiquette I always want to go pick up a just thrown cigarette butt back into the car from whence it came although the most I have ever done is toot the horn at them.  I normally do not admonish other bikers for breaking traffic laws, but I would for littering.  I bet that guy does not litter again if front of people anyway.