Yet another group ride etiquette question

I'd go with the aero bars. I can't imagine why anyone would have an issue with it, especially if you are making it obviously clear that you aren't riding on them.

Is Bob Roll gonna ride naked?

BTW...Shadowfax is a great band too..."The Orangutan Gang Strikes Back"!!!

Edited by max 2005-08-04 7:04 AM

Most charity events are not intense workouts, they are fun - at least all the cancer fund raisers I go to in Montreal are. People are focused on having fun and fund raising not a whole lot of anything else. Leave the aerobars on 99% chance that no one will say anything and if someone does it will just be that you should be careful.

Have fun!

Just don't ride on them in a paceline or other crowded conditions and you'll be fine.

Maybe it's cause I'm new to all of this, but how are aero bars offensive or a bad idea for a certain ride?

I've got some aero bars on my bike...don't use them often in that it hurts my neck (is that normal?). I still keep them on, though.

A lot of hardcore cyclists (roadies) that only ride bikes, think aero bars are only for time trials and not be used in training rides/group rides. Also they are dangerous (or more dangerous) when riding in a group and you are using them. Never use them in a paceline.

It's a safety issue, not being able to brake fast, twitchy and unstable - within a group of people no less.

Honestly I would kill someone in a group ride on aerobars! Twitchy is such a wonderful word to describe them!

Go on the ride. You will meet people who share your interests and have a good time. Just stay out of aero and you will be fine. Although I would maybe make a call to the people putting it together and explain that you have them and will not be using them and ask if it is ok? I am from the ask permission school tho and not everyone is.

For mwdowns,

Not only are aero bars dangerous in a group setting, you don't need them. If you know how to properly draft and ride in a group, there is no need to ever be in the aero position.

For a charity ride like this, I doubt it will be a problem. A lot of people show up for the Ride for the Roses each year with aero bars, and they actually use them in very crowded groups. It's stupid, and they get very defensive when people ask them not to use them. They were the cause of the only 2 crashs I've ever seen at the Ride for the Roses.

First of all, if they're on your bike, you should never be on them in a group. The big reason they make people nervous is that if there is a pile up, someone could get impaled on them.