Riding in a paceline or group can be exhilarating, but it requires concentration and skill to do it safely. Here’s how to keep things smooth and maintain proper distances:
Start by finding a stretch of quiet road and a few friends. Form a single paceline with about two bike lengths between riders. As you get comfortable, gradually decrease the gap.
The key is to maintain a steady effort. Avoid sudden accelerations or decelerations that can ripple through the group and cause problems. When the rider ahead stands on a small rise, anticipate a slight deceleration and be ready to soft pedal.
Practice looking “through” the rider in front of you to the road ahead. This helps you anticipate changes and react smoothly. Don’t fixate on the wheel directly in front – that’s a recipe for sudden reactions.
If you find yourself too close, resist the urge to brake. Instead, sit up slightly to catch more wind, or move a few inches to the side to get out of the draft. Both techniques will gently slow you without disrupting the flow.
When it’s your turn at the front, maintain the group’s speed. Resist the temptation to accelerate. When peeling off, don’t slow down – move to the side and gradually decelerate as you drift to the back.
Remember, smooth is fast. A well-oiled paceline can cover ground quicker and more efficiently than a jerky one. Plus, it’s a lot more fun!
With practice, you’ll develop an intuitive feel for the ebb and flow of group riding. You’ll be smoother, safer, and more confident – ready to enjoy the social aspects of cycling even more.
Wrong. If you are new to cycling, start by finding a safe road where you can ride alone and concentrate on riding on a white line for some distance without deviating from it. Don’t even think about riding tightly in a group/pace line without first mastering this most elementary of cycling skills and it becomes second nature. Once this skill is mastered, then proceed implementing the rest of the things suggested in the article. You, and everyone else will be much safer for it.
When riding a single paceline (not a rotating double line), take three strong pedal pushes as you move to the side and off the front. It’s enough to get you clear of the rider behind you and quick enough that they won’t respond to a perceived speed increase. One of the most disruptive things the lead rider can do is start to slow down before they have fully pulled off to the side.
When teaching new riders to ride in a paceline, it’s good to have a small group so you have the luxury of just working on these specific skills instead of having to keep up with a group ride. Build the skills gradually, introduce the concepts of echelon drafting, etc. Lots of little details to pick up and hopefully turn into reflexes. I will say that there’s some truth to the idea about being able to ride the white line, as mentioned by another commenter. I’ve mentioned to some folks that they should learn to ride rollers… which is a similar way to learn subtle bike handling skills that will teach you to ride in a very confined space. It does help teach you to keep your upper body still while pedaling.