Group Rides Guidance

The advantages of a group.

Riding in the slipstream of another cyclist requires 30% less energy than the rider on the front is using. Sitting further back in a group that is riding two by two will save even more energy. This means that a group of cyclists of equivalent fitness and ability can cycle further and faster for longer than any single individual. Crucially that means that for club rides with a mix of fitness levels it means that stronger riders can spend more time ‘working on the front’ enabling others to cycle further than they would be able to on their own.

Along with all the advantages of riding in a group there are a few hazards specific to group riding so please read the information here to make the most of your time on the bike and look after your fellow club members. All riders have a duty of care to themselves and the others in the group. All riders must take full responsibility for their actions and use their own judgment as to what is best for their own and the group’s safety in any particular situation.

Riding in the Group

Along with all the advantages of riding in a group there are a few extra skills and practices specific to group riding so please take the time to read the information here, make the most of your time on the bike and look after your fellow club members.

The Top 6 Rules

• Groups will have a maximum of 15 riders. Please help ride leaders stick to this rule.
• You must wear a helmet.
• If you decide to leave the ride early: you must tell another rider and make your plans clear.
• Always ride a well maintained bike. In winter this includes full mudguards.
• All riders have a duty of care and carry equal responsibility for the safety of themselves and their fellow riders.

Group Ride Protocol

• Ride two abreast when safe to do so (which is most of the time). This is both British Cycling best practice and specified in the Highway Code.
• Call out and point to hazards and pass it up and down the line so all riders are aware. See Calls & Signals for more information.
• Always carry spare inner tubes, tyre levers and a pump. For more information on the tools you should carry see Bike Safety.
• , phone and some ID.
• Single out when called on by the leader or those on the front. Some examples of when this might be appropriate include: On large A Roads, to let a car pass, to pass a line of parked cars, to pass horses.
• If a mechanical or puncture is called the group should continue and only pullover where it is safe to do so, in a field entrance, laybye or on a straight section of road.
• Rotation The rider on the front right of the group slowly overtakes the person to their left and slots in infront of them. The line of riders on the right all then steadily move up one position, giving a change of rider on the front right. 
• Don't keep checking the route or the speed on your head unit. It is the responsibility of the ride leader and those on the front to navigate.
• Move past steadily and move over smoothly allowing the rider behind you to do the same and the pace should accelerate gradually. 
• Riders should let the leader know if they plan to leave a ride early or take a short cut home. 
• As a general rule we prefer not to leave riders alone.
• You should carry a mobile phone with an ICE (In Case of Emergency) number stored in the contacts.
• Hold a steady line and avoid any sudden changes of direction.
• Don’t overlap wheels.
• Follow the wheel. 
• Don’t look at the wheel of the bike in front of you. Look beyond the rider ahead and further down the road.
• Don’t look at the person next to you when you’re chatting.
• Consider riders around you
• Don’t brake suddenly.
• Hold your line check behind you before moving changing your position within the group. 
• Get comfortable with having a drink. Taking a bottle from a cage is a very common cause of accidents.
• Small unexpected movements can quickly ripple through a group and cause accidents.
• It is generally best not to wave on vehicles from behind even when you think it’s safe to do so. It is the sole responsibility of the driver in the overtaking vehicle to make this decision.
• Slow down and single out for horses and other animals.
• When approaching horses from behind, single out and always call to let the horse and rider know we're there. Do not ring bell!
• If a horse becomes particularly spooked these a few things you can do to help the situation: cover flashing lights, soft pedal to reduce the noise of freewheeks, dismount bikes.
• On climbs riders go at their own pace and regroup at the top.
• If you decide to leave the ride early communicate your plans to another rider and get their acknowledgement.
• Before you take a hand off the bars, move the other had to the tops; it’s more stable if you’re unlucky enough to hit a pothole.
• If you intend to take both hands off the bars then move to the back of the group. If you want to remove a gilet, extract food from a bag etc and feel confident doing it on the move then that’s fine but it doesn’t need an audience. Even the pros get this wrong sometimes and it doesn't end well.
• Get comfortable taking a bottle from a cage, if you find this difficult then practice somewhere where it is safe to do so.

About the Bike

• Drop handlebars are required for group rides.
• No tri-bars, clip-ons, spinacci or bar ends.
• Your bars must have bar plugs.
• During winter (November to March) you must have mudguards fitted to your bike. More on Mudguards
• Flat bars no wider than 40cm may be acceptable on Sunday Rides at the ride leaders discretion.
• Mountain bikes are allowed on gravel rides but should ride at the back of the group on road sections.
• E BIkes with drop handlebars are permitted providing they conform to UK/EU regulations.

Riding on the front

When you’re on the front you’re the eyes for the whole group so it’s extra important that you concentrate on the road ahead. Read the road to anticipate potential hazards well in advance and convey information to the rest of the group with calls and gestures.

After junctions or slowing for tight corners it's important to increase the speed gradually and only after the group icomes back together. This is exactly the opposite of what you will see in a race; the constant accelerations of frequently weaker riders toward the back of the group will make it harder for them.

No Half Wheeling We encourage everyone to ride on the front once they are comfortable with group riding and when you're on the front you ride at the speed that you feel comfortable with for as long as you’re able. If you find you are constantly half a wheel ahead of the person next to you, you’re going too fast. If you find yourself constantly half a wheel behind the rider next to you, don’t go into the red trying  to get level with them; it’s their responsibility to slow down slightly.

Hold a steady line and avoid any sudden changes of direction. Be aware of what is ahead, potholes parked cars, walkers etc., start making your move with time to spare and always shout back to let everyone know!

And Finally

No set of rules and guidance can cover every eventuality and the facts on the ground, what you know and can actually see should always govern your actions. We all have a duty of care for other road users.

When riding with the club, you represent both the club and the wider cycling community. Good etiquette, communication and consideration help ensure that everyone enjoys safe, friendly and successful rides.

Before You Set Off

Assemble the group before setting off so you can check who’s there and how many riders there are. Groups will have a maximum of 15 riders so if you have more than that, the ride will need to be split into 2 groups and a Road Captain assigned to the second group.

The second group should leave 3 minutes after the first to create a 1km gap between groups. Individuals must not change groups without consulting the Ride Leader.

If you’re leading a C Ride or B Ride on a Sunday pay particular attention to any guest riders and new members. You should consider assigning a regular member of the group to ride with them and look after them.

Planning The Ride

More information for Special Events

The regular Sunday Club runs and other weekly rides follow a familiar pattern that will be familiar to Club Riders however special events such as longer Endurance Rides and Gravel Rides will vary in format so it is important that Ride Leaders provide more detail. The ride description should be communicated in advance so that club members may decide whether the ride is suitable for them. The Ride Leader may also want to check entrants’ abilities are suited to the ride in advance and may wish to ask for riders to ‘join’ the ride.  It may be necessary to limit numbers.

The Route Description should include: Destination, route, distance, elevation gain, surfaces, café stops, target average speed (or Sunday Ride designation of C, B, A etcRide Leaders are volunteers not professional tour guides.