Cycling in a large group
Bullet1
Posts: 161
We are setting about doing a independently supported charity Coast to Coast next month as a team of 14 riders.
Whilst most of us are familiar with riding in smaller groups, using hand signals, shouting out obstacles etc and communicating within the group, the one thing I'm nervous about is the number of us on the road with respect to motorists, both from a safety and courtesy perspective.
Currently thinking is to ride where possible the majority the way as a double chain 7 men long and potentially splitting into two smaller groups as we encounter busier roads to allow traffic to pass us more easily or on more rural roads at the other end of the spectrum where there will be fewer passing places.
Most of the ride will be on rural roads so benefit of fewer cars etc, however this also means potentially fewer passing places etc. We could in places be followed by the van which could offer us some greater protection.
Has anyone got experience of cycling with this number of people and/or any hints and tips?
Whilst most of us are familiar with riding in smaller groups, using hand signals, shouting out obstacles etc and communicating within the group, the one thing I'm nervous about is the number of us on the road with respect to motorists, both from a safety and courtesy perspective.
Currently thinking is to ride where possible the majority the way as a double chain 7 men long and potentially splitting into two smaller groups as we encounter busier roads to allow traffic to pass us more easily or on more rural roads at the other end of the spectrum where there will be fewer passing places.
Most of the ride will be on rural roads so benefit of fewer cars etc, however this also means potentially fewer passing places etc. We could in places be followed by the van which could offer us some greater protection.
Has anyone got experience of cycling with this number of people and/or any hints and tips?
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Comments
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Get a man with a red flag to walk in front of you. So as to warn on coming traffic.0
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14 is about the limit for a single group IMO, so as you say splitting in two for busier sections is probably a good idea.
Different clubs have different guidance, but a quick Google suggests 10-16 is most club's recommended limit. Both the clubs I ride with have a max of 14. I'm sure I have heard someone refer to some sort of official guidance on group size but I can't find it on Google.
Worth spending the time to research the roads (e.g., Streetview) to stay away from the busiest roads as it'll be more pleasant for everyone involved, but I assume the C2C route is pretty well defined.
Basically, you'll be fine. It's a normal club ride group size.0 -
I'd probably split it into two groups - based on speeds rather than anything else. I doubt you'll get 14 people of the same fitness.
Just make sure that theres someone in each group who knows the way and knows the plan of where you'll be stopping for lunch etc.
As mentioned -google street view is great for this - send a link if you're planning in that kind of detail and people will know where they are going.
I dont think youll have any problems though.0 -
I ride with a few different collectives. Each does it differently. One has very large group sizes and it is a free for all. Another has large numbers and you rotate in a structured way. When I ride either I have to respect and follow their etiquette.
You state that it is a supported event. I'd would therefore argue that your opinion of how people should ride is irrelevant. Instead I would hope that people organizing your ride will give guidance on how people should ride.0 -
I read that as Independently Supported - so no back up car..
Very large group sizes on open roads are an accident waiting to happen. I don't care who is organising it- that's not safe.0 -
Re supported - there are 14 of us and a couple of mates in a car to carry bags food etc. We're doing it off our own backs.
Re organising - that's me. Which is why I'm asking the questions.
Re very large group size - hence the original question. What is very large all 14, possibly? 2 groups of 7 probably not!
Thanks0 -
14 is smaller than most chaingangs or groups in sportives. Safety is the riders being road aware, the ones at the front and back shouting out on coming vehicles.Fenix wrote:I read that as Independently Supported - so no back up car..
Very large group sizes on open roads are an accident waiting to happen. I don't care who is organising it- that's not safe.0 -
I would have thought on some narrow rural roads you would have to fall into single file to allow cars to pass, so might be better in two groups of 7 riders?0
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14 is the maximum really. Even that is a long stretch on a back road.
If you can sense the build-up behind you, just pull over and let the cars go at a junction.0
