Paceline
Etiquette
By Brad Dunbar
If you ever have a chance to ride with elite riders you will notice they
form pacelines and ride that way instinctively (even when they are going
easy.) The elite riders have an unwritten etiquette they follow and it
should be used for all paceline riding:
Never increase your speed when it's your turn to pull. As mentioned in
the "Basic Pacelining" article, it opens gaps and causes the group to have
to work unnecessarily hard to close them. Every gap formed will
eventually have to be closed. This will sap your reserves.
Keep rotating! Don't go to the front and sit there. If you want to prove
your strength, take up weight training. If a paceline has formed it's for
good reason. RIDERS GO FASTER OR EASIER WHEN THEY SHARE THE LOAD. While
you may temporarily increase the groups speed, unless you raced
professionally, you will fade eventually. Then you will go off the back
. . .
If you don't feel like you have it that day, don't get in the rotation.
Nothing bothers me more than having just pulled and not have anyone come
though. If you are on a training ride and feel bad, ask the group if its
okay to sit on the back. If it's okay, stay out of the way of the
rotation. If they say no, then get off.
On the other hand, if you are feeling okay share the load and sit in. Why
should they tow you around? If it's a training ride, you are riding for a
purpose and you shouldn't be slacking. If it's a race, then do what the
situation dictates.
When you are at the front, point out all articles on the road that can be
a hazard. Point down at the ground on the side the object is on a few
moments "before" you pass it. Or, communicate to the group it it's large
or extremely hazardous object. Also, tell them when you are slowing or
stopping.
Stay alert! Nobody wants to crash, even worse if it's someone else's
mistake. Don't overlap the wheel of the rider in from of you. This is a
big mistake.
Practice your paceline techniques. Good luck!