Singling out

Old Pedaller
Old Pedaller Posts: 104
edited September 2010 in Road beginners
We are trying to formalise riding rules for the club as discipline is slipping and there is some discussion over singling out when circumstances require it (not chainganging).

Some people say the norm is for the outside rider to move back and tuck in behind his left hand partner, others that the norm is for the outside rider to accelerate forward and pull in ahead of his left hand partner.

Is there an accepted method?

Comments

  • thel33ter
    thel33ter Posts: 2,684
    I would have said the outside rider drop back and the inside rider move forwards a bit to help let them in.
    And now you know, and knowing is half the battle
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  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    Old Pedaller wrote:

    Is there an accepted method?

    I don't think there is - and I don't think there should be. How you single out should depend entirely on the 'shape' of the group at the time. Common sense usually prevails...
  • Old Pedaller
    Old Pedaller Posts: 104
    It should do but there have been some "moments". Group is usually split in to six or eights with pairs side by side. If no stated rule for the club then problem would come if one pair goes for the drop back method while the pair behind goes for the accelerate forward method?

    Last year committee decided one way, runs leader printed the other way on his calendar hand out. I'm just trying to find out if there is historically a usual way. Not all the riders are always experienced in group etiquette.
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    Old Pedaller wrote:
    Not all the riders are always experienced in group etiquette.

    and not all riders on the ride will be familiar with club rules either. The important thing is that you single out - the 'artistic merit' employed during the manoeuvre is largely irrelevant.

    There are some things to which rules cannot be successfully applied - and I think this is one of them....
  • Old Pedaller
    Old Pedaller Posts: 104
    "New" riders get briefed on road conduct rules before the ride (we've all seen the results of complete novices causing a coming together) so, to that extent, they are familiar. You may well be right in that rules cannot successfully be applied but this does not mean that an attempt to achieve consistency should not be made. Certainly we should not be giving two contradictory instructions.

    I just find it hard to believe that most groups, as seems to be the case from the responses, don't have some agreement between themselves, even if it is not written down, on this sort of thing.

    I cycled in France recently and joined an overtaking group for a while and it was a genuine pleasure to see how they all knew exactly what was going on and how the leader actually led from the front, having been allowed to stay there.
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    You've already quoted two different ways of doing it. If common sense doesn't work in your group, just pick one of them, they're both "acceptable".

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