Ride in a Pack when Cycling
If you're riding in a pack, or 'Peleton,' there are certain rules of etiquette you want to adhere to, for the safety of both others in the bunch and other road users.
Steps
- Keep a safe distance from the bike in front. No doubt you will have seen the Tour De France riders riding within millimetres of the wheel in front of them. Remember, these are professional cyclists who probably spend 40 to 50 hours a week in the saddle with team mates etc. Leave a short gap, close enough to benefit from the effects of drafting (sitting in the bike in fronts' slipstream) but far enough away so that if they were to brake, you can too.
- Shout out any hazards. Many cyclists in a bunch will point to the floor if there is a particularly bad pot hole for others behind to avoid. It is just common courtesy to your fellow riders to let them know of any potential hazards ahead.
- If you're at the back and a car appears behind you, and people are riding more than 2 abreast, shout out 'Car behind!' to let the others know to move in to allow the car to pass.
- When crossing junctions, if the road is clear, shout 'Clear'. This lets riders behind you know they can continue without having to stop, unclip their feet from their pedals etc etc. Again, it's a common courtesy.
- Always be willing to put in work!! No one likes the one person who is happy to sit on the back wheel of the rider in front and not be exposed to any wind. always offer to do a stint on the front of the bunch, and expect this to be very hard work. You work into the wind and others recover behind you; then they take the front and put the work in whilst you recover. It keeps you moving faster as a group and is a great way to train.
- Pay attention to traffic around you and obey the law! If a traffic light is red, stop at it!
- Don't ride more than two abreast when in a group to allow for cars to still pass you. Try not to stretch out too much; remaining compact in length of the bunch is safer for cars to pass in one go, rather than zig-zagging in and out of your different bunches.
