Riding Etiquette #2

Cleat Eastwood

Just out of interest if riding 2 abreast and a car comes up behind should the rider on the outside drop back behind the rider or push on and cut in infront and how does it work in group riding?

T-mobile

I dont usually worry. However, dropping back means you get a free draft of the other rider for a bit while moving forward allows the other rider to have a rest while you do the work. Make a decision based on the strength of your riding partner or how much 'work' either of you have been doing during the ride.
Bunches I ride in don't usually go into single file to let a car past unless there is a special reason such as difficult road condition etc.

CakeLovinBeast

Our club website says that the rider on the outside filters behind the inside rider. In reality, it's a judgement call based on the situation... The inside rider will either put a burst on to open up a space behind, or wave the outside rider in front.

EleventhSprocket

T-mobile wrote:

I dont usually worry. However, dropping back means you get a free draft of the other rider for a bit while moving forward allows the other rider to have a rest while you do the work. Make a decision based on the strength of your riding partner or how much 'work' either of you have been doing during the ride.

+1

t.m.h.n.e.t

Depends on the group size for my rides. But as to the question. The outside rider is the (legal) obstruction(extra width) and it's probably wise for him to filter back.

2x: The outside man filters back out of harms way (ie: errant overtakes and bad driving on opposite side) allows overtakes then moves back. I must admit this is often me.

3x: 1 man at rear takes primary at pinch points - allows enough room for outside man ahead to filter back

Ron Stuart

It is far more logical for each outside rider to fall back behind his or hers inside ride partner because it can be done quicker with less effort for the outside riders, the only time I do the other is if I am two-up outside on the front with a tired and/or weaker rider inside then I push on to the front when I need to single out.
It is amazing how much information there is on sportive training in the press but very little on group riding etiquette, there is an article on BikeRadar at the moment about Sportive Training not a single mention regards safety only a performance related comment relating to regular group rides.
British Cycling's Guidlines for non-competitive on road events in respect of safety is the some total of this......

5.6 Rider Safety
Organisers should advise all riders to carry:
ı a form of identification showing their name, address and the contact details of a person to
be advised in the event of an accident.
ı food, drink, money, a mobile phone, spare inner tubes, a working pump, a basic tool kit and
spare clothing sufficient to complete the ride being undertaken, taking into account the route
and possible adverse weather conditions.
As you can see not a lot of reference to practical advice regards how you keep yourself and others safe.

On the Motion in Mercia Sportive Sunday someone came a cropper in Bridgnorth on a descent, ended up hitting a car windscreen (nasty).
This is an excellent thread and begins to highlight the need for more practical rider safety information. Your rider time is one thing but getting there in one piece should be No1 on the to do list.

pinno

This is all relative cleat, when you are on your own, you take up a hell of a lot of road. Especially all tanked up and fed on Eccles cakes, weaving all over the shot, dribbling at the prospect of another story with Victoria, not looking where you're going. Well thats what aggieboy told me and I believe him.
Seriously though, the Eastbourne Rovers policy was single file on a busy road even though its not legally required but simply for safety reasons and two abrest along quiet routes. Went back there recently and I didnt see a quiet road.
Easy solution - move to Scotland. Along a 17 mile stretch today there were 3 cars. I would dispair if I had to go out amongst the traffic in some of the more built up areas like the SE and the midlands. I know Bridgenorth well and the road from Stourbridge to B North for example is horrendous. I hope that bloke/woman recovers fully. At least the driver will have to pay his/her excess on the screen and hopefully a nice big gouge in the bonnet to repair.
I wish you had to cycle for 6 months before passing your driving test 'cos a number of drivers are absolutely clueless unthinking idiots. It feels like sometimes I am not a human being to them when I am on a bike, least of all a Dad. That brings me to the conclusion by that sentiment, that some drivers are callous by their lack of consideration when you consider that being patient in your car makes no difference to travel time. If it were not for the prevailling J Clarkson attitude, we would'nt be having this conversation.
Ride with thought I say.
Also, watch out for Cleat staggering out of a ditch he has fallen into, happens regularly.