Pack Riding Skills | Paceline Etiquette*

HOLD YOUR LINE – Keep your direction of travel razor sharp. Don’t snake and squirrel all over the road.

Do not focus on the rear tire of the bike in front of you, look forward several riders up the road to see what the paceline is doing and reacting to.

Don’t make sudden movements. The riders behind you are counting on you to maintain a predictable line. All movements should be smooth and indicated when possible.

Use your brakes cautiously in a paceline, if you brake hard you’ll cause everyone behind you to pile up. If you have to slow, slightly feather the brakes, move to the side or sit up and catch some air.

Communicate constantly. Call out actions and conditions i.e. ON YOUR LEFT, SLOWING, STOPPING, HOLE, DOG!

Don’t overlap the wheel of the bike in front of you. If you do overlap, move away and slow down gradually. Protect your front wheel.

If you are unable to hold the pace, do not let a gap open between you and the riders ahead of you, pull out of the line and wave the riders behind to pull through.

If a gap opens in front of you, close it slowly. A sudden burst of speed will create a ripple effect and cause everyone behind you to have to work to close.

Change your position in the pack correctly. A common beginner faux pas is to stop pedaling just before pulling off the front. This creates an accordion affect toward the rear. Keep a steady speed until you have cleared the front. After pulling off, soft pedal and let the group pull through. Don’t scrub too much speed as you do not want to miss the last wheel as it passes. As the last couple riders are passing through, begin to match speed and smoothly take your position at the rear.

Wait until you’re in the back of the paceline to eat or make a clothing adjustments.

Be cautious of unknown riders. Don’t follow too closely if you are unsure of a rider’s experience or ability.

Stay relaxed, loose and fluid, keep the pedals spinning, soft-pedal to regulate speed..

With exception of the first rider at the front of the pack, riding in the aero bars has no place in the paceline - EVER. Riding in the aero bars limits maneuverability and prevents immediate access to the brakes.

Off the Front

Don’t accelerate when taking the lead (unless you really did mean to drop the guy who just finished pulling) Pull through smoothly maintaining the same speed. Gradually increase speed if appropriate.

Swing wide of pot holes and debris. (A near miss is too close!) Point them out.

Short pulls of 30 seconds to 2 minutes benefit the group better than long, time-trial like efforts. The overall speed of the group increases and the weaker riders can "pull through" spending very little time at the front.

In the Hills

Climbing - If you stand abruptly while climbing, you will move backwards relative to the rider behind you when you hit the bottom of your pedal stroke possibly jamming your rear wheel into his front tire. If you need to stand, shift up a gear to compensate for the slower cadence and stand up smoothly, keeping a steady pressure on the pedals. You can also verbally indicate your intention by yelling STANDING.

Descending - The leader must overcome much greater wind resistance as speed increases. If you are leading, keep pedaling. If you are following, back off a couple of bike lengths to compensate for the greater effects of drafting. If you are closing on the rider in front, sit up and let the wind slow you or use light braking to maintain spacing.

Safety

Headphones are stupid, rude and dangerous in a pack ride. If you want to listen to Busta Rhymes, ride alone or stay at home.

Relax. If you have tense arms and get bumped from the side, the shock will go directly to the front wheel causing you to swerve and possibly crash. If you are tense, you are wasting energy needed for propelling your bike and keeping up with the group.

Make sure your rear quick release is folded inside the frame towards the seat tube. An unfocused rider behind you can easily get their front wheel stuck between your quick release lever and your rear tire.

Courtesies

Don’t attack after red lights, intersections or holding for traffic. If you get separated at intersections, the lead group should soft pedal until the rest have rejoined.

Know your limitations. If you are not strong enough or too tired to take a turn at the front, stay near the back and let the stronger cyclists pull in front of you instead of making them go to the back of the line. This will keep them from having to pass you if you create a gap.

Everyone has differnt levels of fitness so don’t be offended or frustrated if you get dropped. If you are unfamiliar with the area let someone know or find slower paced riders that can get you back home. If you are alone back track your route. Keep training.

Be courteous to all traffic regardless of how rude they are to you. A road rage incident between a 10 speed and a Ford F250 will result in only one obvious victor.

Ride with a clean kit. Nobody in the draft wants to smell the funk of dirty bibs that have been in your trunk all week.

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