Riding in a pack is a basic skill that you need for racing. Here are a few tips to make it easier:
- KEEP IT TOGETHER - A group ride requires a group. By nature, the pace is lower than in a race and the attitude should be more cooperative. In every group rider there will be faster and slower riders, and different people do better in different types of terrain during the ride. Focus on your group-riding skills and your rides will be more rewarding.
- NO OVERLAP - this is the most basic of rules and following it will keep you out of a lot of trouble. Most crashes are caused in some way by overlap. What's overlap? It's when your front tire is ahead of the back edge of the rear tire of the rider in front of you. Once you're overlapped, you've cut your usable road in half, and made yourself vulnerable to any side motions by the rider in front - which can cause an instant crash.
- WATCH YOUR SPACING - in all directions. Keep at least a few inches between you and the rider to the side of you, if you're riding in two lines. Keep at least a few inches behind the rider in front, and don't push it if you aren't comfortable. You get most of the effect of drafting even if you're a foot or more behind the rider in front of you.
- KEEP AN EVEN TEMPO - sudden surges or braking can really break up a pack, so be a steady freddie when you ride in a group.
- More stuff will go here.
