Riding in a Paceline
As you become a more experienced rider, you will find that riding in a paceline is an exciting way to enhance your riding experience. In a paceline, the front rider breaks the wind, allowing the riders behind to draft him. By drafting the bicycle in front of you, you can reduce your energy output considerably. This has the effect of allowing the overall group to move faster that its riders could alone. While pacelines can be exciting and beneficial to everyone in the group, they can also be extremely dangerous. Since you are riding at a relatively high rate of speed only inches from the bicycle in front, you have very little time to react to any situations that may develop.
Pacelines are either single or double. In a single paceline, everyone lines up behind the first rider, who maintains a constant speed. The rotation occurs when the front rider pulls off to the side and drifts to the back of the line. The next rider then sets the pace. Riders stay on the front from a few seconds to several minutes. This type of paceline has the advantage of requiring less road space.
A double echelon, also known as a rotating paceline, contains two lines of riders side by side, continuously in motion. One line goes slightly faster than the other does. Let's say you're the lead rider in the faster line. You should cross over to the slow line after passing the front wheel of the rider beside you (the front rider in the slower line). Then you drift back with the others in the slow line. When the final position is reached (back of the line), slide onto the back wheel of the last rider in the fast line.
Tips for Riding in a Paceline
Get used to following closely to the rider in front of you to get the benefit of the draft. You use much less energy following a cyclist than riding out in the wind by yourself. Top riders feel comfortable riding within inches of the wheel in front; however, you are NOT a top rider so leave some room. In a rotating paceline, stay as close together side to side.
Accelerate slowly and with an eye to keeping the group together. Attacks, jumps, short-hard pulls and other race-like riding may be fine for certain smaller rides but have no place in a group oriented ride. Novice riders often assume this kind of aggressive riding is better training than a good rotating paceline.
Don't open gaps! If you find yourself behind a gap close it slowly. A skilled group will remain in a tight paceline through 95% of an average ride including stops, corners, short climbs, descents, and traffic by closing the inevitable gaps before they become problems.
Put weaker riders behind stronger ones. A paceline is a team. It's only as strong as its weakest member is, so help that person.
Wheelsitters are always welcome, but please stay at the back. There's nothing more disruptive than someone who rotates to the front only to slow down on hitting the wind. If you're feeling extended, tired, or otherwise not inclined to pull through there's no problem with sitting at the back, just let the riders who are rotating know when they've reached the back of the rotating section.
A consistent pace is key. Try establishing a pedaling rhythm before reaching the front, and maintain it until just after pulling off. If you're feeling especially strong accelerate and/or take a longer pull but if you do increase the pace do it gradually. Don't forget to pedal harder on descents to make up for the extra aerodynamic resistance.
When moving from a seated to a standing position, stay on the power so you do not fall back into the bike behind you. Even some really strong riders tend to do this so be forewarned.
If you must spit or blow your nose move out of the paceline enough so no one is directly behind you. The guys behind you don't want your snot or spit all over them
Don't accommodate elitist attitudes. Perhaps the best thing about good group rides, aside from training, is socializing. Team affiliation, racing experience, helmet use, type of bicycle, etc. are all matters of individual preference and should be left as such. As long as the rider is safe and able to keep up they should be welcome.
Tips for the Lead Rider
When moving to the front of a paceline, keep your speed smooth until the rider pulling off is able to get back in the line. If you are able to accelerate, do so smoothly and gradually so as not to cause a break in the line.
It is the responsibility of the lead rider to steer the paceline clear of, and call out, any oncoming obstacles. This is especially important in a paceline where the riders in the back may not be able to see what is coming. The lead rider needs to be looking well ahead on the road so that they have time to react to oncoming obstacles.
Don't accelerate through a yellow light unless you know the back of the group can make it too. If the group does get split ride slowly until the rear group has caught back on. If you're at the back please don't run through the intersection just to maintain contact unless it is clear that approaching traffic is waiting for the entire group to pass.
Stay at the front only as long as you are comfortably able to maintain the pace. Short 30 second pulls are just fine. Do not feel the need to stay out front as long, or go quite as fast, as others may have. It is better to take a short pull and get off before bogging down the whole line.
Maintain a constant speed when you get to the front by glancing at your cycle computer. The tendency for new riders is to jump and pick up the pace.
Be aware of wind direction. If there is a cross wind from the left, you should move as far to the left as you safely can to allow the riders behind you to ride on the right. Don't hug the white line!
When you are finished with your pull and ready to get off the front you should first look over your shoulder to see if it is safe to move over. If it is clear, signal to the next rider that you are pulling off. Keep pedaling as you move off the front. Don't slow your cadence until the following rider has begun to pull through.
Pacelines are either single or double. In a single paceline, everyone lines up behind the first rider, who maintains a constant speed. The rotation occurs when the front rider pulls off to the side and drifts to the back of the line. The next rider then sets the pace. Riders stay on the front from a few seconds to several minutes. This type of paceline has the advantage of requiring less road space.
A double echelon, also known as a rotating paceline, contains two lines of riders side by side, continuously in motion. One line goes slightly faster than the other does. Let's say you're the lead rider in the faster line. You should cross over to the slow line after passing the front wheel of the rider beside you (the front rider in the slower line). Then you drift back with the others in the slow line. When the final position is reached (back of the line), slide onto the back wheel of the last rider in the fast line.
Tips for Riding in a Paceline
Get used to following closely to the rider in front of you to get the benefit of the draft. You use much less energy following a cyclist than riding out in the wind by yourself. Top riders feel comfortable riding within inches of the wheel in front; however, you are NOT a top rider so leave some room. In a rotating paceline, stay as close together side to side.
Accelerate slowly and with an eye to keeping the group together. Attacks, jumps, short-hard pulls and other race-like riding may be fine for certain smaller rides but have no place in a group oriented ride. Novice riders often assume this kind of aggressive riding is better training than a good rotating paceline.
Don't open gaps! If you find yourself behind a gap close it slowly. A skilled group will remain in a tight paceline through 95% of an average ride including stops, corners, short climbs, descents, and traffic by closing the inevitable gaps before they become problems.
Put weaker riders behind stronger ones. A paceline is a team. It's only as strong as its weakest member is, so help that person.
Wheelsitters are always welcome, but please stay at the back. There's nothing more disruptive than someone who rotates to the front only to slow down on hitting the wind. If you're feeling extended, tired, or otherwise not inclined to pull through there's no problem with sitting at the back, just let the riders who are rotating know when they've reached the back of the rotating section.
A consistent pace is key. Try establishing a pedaling rhythm before reaching the front, and maintain it until just after pulling off. If you're feeling especially strong accelerate and/or take a longer pull but if you do increase the pace do it gradually. Don't forget to pedal harder on descents to make up for the extra aerodynamic resistance.
When moving from a seated to a standing position, stay on the power so you do not fall back into the bike behind you. Even some really strong riders tend to do this so be forewarned.
If you must spit or blow your nose move out of the paceline enough so no one is directly behind you. The guys behind you don't want your snot or spit all over them
Don't accommodate elitist attitudes. Perhaps the best thing about good group rides, aside from training, is socializing. Team affiliation, racing experience, helmet use, type of bicycle, etc. are all matters of individual preference and should be left as such. As long as the rider is safe and able to keep up they should be welcome.
Tips for the Lead Rider
When moving to the front of a paceline, keep your speed smooth until the rider pulling off is able to get back in the line. If you are able to accelerate, do so smoothly and gradually so as not to cause a break in the line.
It is the responsibility of the lead rider to steer the paceline clear of, and call out, any oncoming obstacles. This is especially important in a paceline where the riders in the back may not be able to see what is coming. The lead rider needs to be looking well ahead on the road so that they have time to react to oncoming obstacles.
Don't accelerate through a yellow light unless you know the back of the group can make it too. If the group does get split ride slowly until the rear group has caught back on. If you're at the back please don't run through the intersection just to maintain contact unless it is clear that approaching traffic is waiting for the entire group to pass.
Stay at the front only as long as you are comfortably able to maintain the pace. Short 30 second pulls are just fine. Do not feel the need to stay out front as long, or go quite as fast, as others may have. It is better to take a short pull and get off before bogging down the whole line.
Maintain a constant speed when you get to the front by glancing at your cycle computer. The tendency for new riders is to jump and pick up the pace.
Be aware of wind direction. If there is a cross wind from the left, you should move as far to the left as you safely can to allow the riders behind you to ride on the right. Don't hug the white line!
When you are finished with your pull and ready to get off the front you should first look over your shoulder to see if it is safe to move over. If it is clear, signal to the next rider that you are pulling off. Keep pedaling as you move off the front. Don't slow your cadence until the following rider has begun to pull through.
posted by CGC at 9:06 AM
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