Group Riding - A Triathlete's Guide

For many triathlete’s group riding can be a daunting prospect, firstly there’s the unwritten rules of etiquette when riding with a group accompanied by its own language of phrases and hand signals that can leave any newcomer bemused.

Group riding can be beneficial to any triathlete, the conversation and banter making even the longest winter training ride far more bearable, you’ll also benefit from tips and advice from more experienced riders.

In this blog, I’ll try to take some of the mystery from group riding so that you can turn up to your local club run with confidence and not live up to the ‘triathlete’s can’t ride in groups’ opinion of our roadie brethren.

Etiquette – the unwritten rules... written!!

· Relax – when riding as part of a group the more nervous you are the more likely you are to make a mistake.

· Communicate – You are responsible for yourself and the riders around you. Make sure you understand the meaning of any phrases or hand signals and be sure to pass them on.

· Hold the wheel in front– Drafting only works if your close enough to the back wheel of the rider ahead of you, leave too big a gap and your working just as hard and not benefitting. If you’re nervous about clipping the wheel ahead ride off to one side slightly, but don’t overlap.

· Braking – Remember that you will probably have riders behind you so slamming on the anchors will result in the rider behind becoming uncomfortably acquainted with your rear end, if you need to brake it should be done gradually and accompanied by a signal to alert other riders – think mirror, signal, manoeuvre without the mirror bit!!

· Take your turn – Nothing will garner more frowns and looks of disdain than a rider that constantly ‘sits in’ and doesn’t take a turn pulling on the front, even if you can only come through for 30 seconds it will be noticed.

· Half wheeling – This is the biggest no, no out-there! If you are riding double breasted, keep pace with the rider next to you. If you up the pace when the rider next to you draws level you will guarantee you will not be a welcome addition to the group.

· Aerobars – if you have aerobars fitted, a good option is to remove them, if your only steed is a TT setup then this won’t be an option, so don’t use them. Riding in a group on aerobars is almost certain to cause a crash as the time to get to the brakes is increased and you are less stable.

· Be a Boy Scout – and be prepared ensure your bike is in good working order, and you have any items you may require in the event of a mechanical such as a multitool, spare tubes, pump or CO2. If it’s a long ride make sure you have adequate nutrition and always carry some money for a cafe stop.

Common Phrases

· Come through – this will always be accompanied by a flick of the elbow signalling its your turn to pull on the front.

· Hold the wheel – if you letting a gap open to the wheel ahead, the riders behind will prompt you to close the gap.

· Getting dropped – if you’re unable to hold the wheel ahead and the gap goes out due to the pace being too high you have been ‘dropped’. Most clubs have a rule about regrouping at junctions to allow for riders to catch up so don’t worry.

· Through and off or bit and bit – This is often associated with ‘chain gang’ riding where every rider comes through to take their turn on the front before peeling off and returning to the rear of the line.