Riding Advice Thats Impossible to Forget
A group of riders is much like a flock of geese; they rely on visual cues and body language to communicate with each other and work efficiently as a group. In order to maintain proper communication with your riding group, think of the acronym S.P.A.R.:
Smooth: When riding smoothly, you build trust with other riders in your group because they can see you riding a straight line.
Project: Be predictable to the riders behind you by letting them know your intentions. Point our obstacles in the road, holes, gravel etc. Avoid sudden moves and if necessary ride through potholes rather than swerving suddenly to avoid them.
Anticipate: Pay attention to the riders and the road ahead of you for visual cues.
Relax: Relax your hands (no need to choke the handlebars), arms (slightly bent vs. ramrod straight) and shoulders (not hunched up). This will keep your neck and back relaxed. Remember, cycling is fun. Relax and enjoy it!
When perfecting your performance and strategy when riding in a pace line, you need only think of the numbers 5-2-2-1:
[5] It should take you 5 seconds when pulling through in a single pace-line. If you pull through in less than 5 seconds you are accelerating which will stress the rider behind you and make it more difficult for the receding rider to rejoin the group. If it takes you more than 5 seconds to pull through you are becoming fatigued. Take a rest at the back of the group and pull through when you’ve recovered. There is no shame in doing this.
[2] You should reduce your pedal cadence by 2 RPMs when you are in the “relief line” (see last week’s article). This will ensure that you are dropping back at a pace that will make it easier for you to catch the wheel of the last rider. If you reduce your pedal cadence by more than 2 RPMs, you may run the risk of missing the last rider’s wheel and thus being dropped by the group.
[2] You should always be looking at least 2 riders ahead of you. This will help you anticipate what’s happening in the group. Look at rider’s hips and shoulders. This will give you a good idea of where they’re going to move and how fatigued they may be. A rider who is rocking his shoulders is typically reaching a point of exhaustion.
[1] You should be riding 1 foot directly behind the wheel of the rider in front of you. This will give you an optimal draft and keep the group tightly together. When riding a single pace-line, do not overlap the wheel of the rider in front of you.
These easy-to-remember tricks will help you focus on riding in a perfect pace line come the big day.
