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GROUP RIDE SURVIVAL STRATEGIES
A part of the Technik™ Series
by David Brinton
Weekly group rides can be a true test of your power, speed, technical skills, and overall confidence on the bike. Whether you are a recreational rider wanting to get more involved with the social aspects of cycling or have a competitive side that wants to test your ability among other riders, it's not difficult to find a ride that's right for you.
Most group rides start at local bike shops or are organized by local cycling clubs. If you are interested taking part in an organized weekly ride, but don't know where to start, visit your local bike shop. They will likely know of a few rides or give you contact information for cycling clubs in the area. Another option would be to do a search on the internet for “cycling clubs” or “group rides” in Southern California .
Expect a little trial and error when finding your perfect ride. For social and recreational riders, it may be a matter of finding riders who share your personal interests. For the competitive minded, it is important that you choose rides that are challenging, but within your ability. Each time you progress to a tougher ride you can expect to suffer a bit until your performance adjusts to the next level.
If you have a particular group ride you really enjoy, but are continuing to get dropped or are not finishing the ride as strong as you would like, the following survival strategies will help you:
1) Always remain in the slipstream of the rider in front of you, the faster the peloton is moving, the greater the advantage. Even when the peloton is rolling along at an easy pace, you are still conserving energy relative to the riders who are not drafting.
2) Regaining speed after red lights can be a painful experience, especially when the entire pack passes you by as you frantically try to get clipped in. To avoid this problem, position your crank slightly below the down tube of your frame. The stronger push you get from your first pedal stroke, the more momentum you will have, and the more time you will have to get clipped in before riders start passing you. When stopping after a fast section, be sure to downshift to a smaller gear. A 53x19 is generally a good choice.
3) When stopped at a red light, leave a 1/2-bike gap behind and slightly to the side of the rider in front of you. Begin rolling at the same time as the riders several rows ahead. When the rider directly in front of you begins to roll, you should be slightly overlapped and to their side. As they aggressively accelerate with the rest of the group, gradually drift behind. Since you started rolling sooner, you will not have to accelerate as hard and have more time to clip in.
4) Always be aware of the wind direction so you can position yourself on the side of the peloton that offers the most protection. Flags will give you an accurate reading of which direction the wind is coming from. If the wind is coming from the right, you should be on the left side of the peloton, or at least on the left side of the rider in front of you. Every rider on the non-protected side is getting little or no protection from the wind.
5) Focusing several rows ahead will give you advance warning of riders attacking or accelerating ahead. Always respond to the surge at the exact same time or slightly before the rider in front of you, provided it is safe to do so. A delayed response will cause you to expend unnecessary energy closing the gap back onto the wheel of the rider in front of you.
6) Avoid positioning yourself behind riders who are likely to open gaps. Watch the body language and pedaling style of the riders ahead. The most common signs of a rider about to get dropped are: excessive body movement; choppy pedaling style; and, loud breathing. The further forward you are, the fewer gaps will open up in front of you. If you are forced to close a gap, the quicker you respond and the faster you close it, the less energy you will expend.
7) Use the flow of the peloton to your advantage. Riders will most always advance their position on the far left or right of the pack, meanwhile, the riders in the center find themselves drifting further and further back. Those who make it a habit to stay on the outside edges of the peloton will be in better position to move forward and to respond to attacks.
8) Move towards the front of the pack well before climbs and other hard sections. The further forward you are at the beginning of a climb or hard section, the more room you will have to drift back before losing contact with the group. Make it a goal to move toward the front with the least energy expended. If you wait for the pack to bunch-up, you will pass multiple riders with each bike length you advance. To expend even less energy, always be in the slipstream of another rider when moving forward.
9) A red light can be a welcoming sight when you are rolling along a fast, flat section and find yourself drifting further and further back. Position yourself to the far left or right of the peloton so you can easily move forward when riders stop for the light. Pass riders very slowly and do not compromise the safety of anyone around you. Never impede traffic or cross into another lane. If you use this tactic too aggressively, you can count on getting yelled at by other riders.
10) Opening gaps as you exit turns will force you to accelerate harder relative to the other riders. Keeping your eyes focused several riders ahead, and toward the inside of the turn, will make it easier to flow through the turn with the rest of the riders. Placing your body weight on your outside crank will increase your stability and traction by directing your weight over the contact patch of your tires.
Taking the time to learn and apply each these strategies will greatly increase your group riding performance, as well as open your mind to thinking more tactically and strategically. The first step is to visualize how and where you can apply each strategy on your next group ride, then practice them while riding alone or with a friend. On the group ride, focus your attention on two or three new strategies each week. Most importantly, be safe and courteous to the riders around you.
David Brinton is a former Member of the U.S. Olympic Cycling Team, has 18 years of professional coaching experience, and is recognized as one of the world's premier technical and tactical coaches. To learn more about David's coaching program and the great advantages experienced by his clients, he can be reached at (818) 763-6166 or bicyclingtrainer@aol.com.
