Pedaling teqnique in group

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Comments

  • deano802
    deano802 Posts: 67
    Imposter wrote:
    veryslowtwitch wrote:
    Hi, instead of coasting and stopping pedaling completely I suggest you consider pedalling gently without applying pressure.


    AKA soft pedalling, mentioned earlier...

    Agreed good advice, thanks!
  • bigjim
    bigjim Posts: 780
    I ride with two groups. Both groups have older very experienced riders. I often end up riding behind one of them that coasts pedals, coasts again. Really frustrating. Just drop a gear and pedal! Then there are those that coast or brake on a downhill when there is a climb in clear sight. Grrr.. Still thats group riding for you.
    Nothing to prove. http://adenough1.blogspot.co.uk/
  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    Frank Wilson wrote:
    One of the reasons I prefer to ride on my own.

    Riding on your own is great - but riding with club can take you much much further for the same effort - and the older guys know the best routes and the best cafes.

    Most clubs wouldn't put up with coasting - the 'road captain' would bollock you and you'd learn.
  • mrb123
    mrb123 Posts: 4,821
    Fenix wrote:
    Frank Wilson wrote:
    One of the reasons I prefer to ride on my own.

    Riding on your own is great - but riding with club can take you much much further for the same effort - and the older guys know the best routes and the best cafes.

    Most clubs wouldn't put up with coasting - the 'road captain' would bollock you and you'd learn.

    That's the second reference in this thread to bollockings being dished out on club rides. Would a quiet, friendly word of advice not suffice?

    Not sure I like the sound of a group ride led by a cycling equivalent of the drill sergeant from Full Metal Jacket!
  • Frank Wilson
    Frank Wilson Posts: 930
    One of the reasons I prefer to ride on my own has been mentioned here a couple of times, which is the pedal a few revolutions, stop pedalling method of cycling. It is so bloody annoying if you are trying to maintain a steady pace, as mentioned you catch back up then have to apply your brakes.

    One guy who I have cycled with is an ex pro, getting on a bit like myself, but he is a pleasure to cycle with, just maintains a steady pace, keeps pedalling and there are no unexpected braking or avoidance moments.
  • milemuncher1
    milemuncher1 Posts: 1,472
    MrB123 wrote:
    Fenix wrote:
    Frank Wilson wrote:
    One of the reasons I prefer to ride on my own.

    Riding on your own is great - but riding with club can take you much much further for the same effort - and the older guys know the best routes and the best cafes.

    Most clubs wouldn't put up with coasting - the 'road captain' would bollock you and you'd learn.

    That's the second reference in this thread to bollockings being dished out on club rides. Would a quiet, friendly word of advice not suffice?

    Not sure I like the sound of a group ride led by a cycling equivalent of the drill sergeant from Full Metal Jacket!

    That’s the difference between a good club and a sh1te club. The ones with the “do this, do that, OR ELSE” attitude are what give clubs a bad name. The ones that give you a quiet word of advice, after the ride, and make allowances during the ride, are the best ones. Sadly, they are few and far between, that’s sad, but that’s life.
  • onemoresolo
    onemoresolo Posts: 372
    lettingthedaysgoby wrote:
    cougie wrote:
    Granted nobody's perfect but anyone pedalling for a few revs and then coasting would be bollocked in my club and put at the back until they've learned to pedal properly.
    Sounds like a lovely, welcoming bunch.

    To be fair, when the alternative is putting yourself and other riders on the deck then sometimes a bollocking is necessary and can't wait till the end of the ride for a quiet word.
  • bigjim
    bigjim Posts: 780
    onemoresolo wrote:
    lettingthedaysgoby wrote:
    cougie wrote:
    Granted nobody's perfect but anyone pedalling for a few revs and then coasting would be bollocked in my club and put at the back until they've learned to pedal properly.
    Sounds like a lovely, welcoming bunch.

    To be fair, when the alternative is putting yourself and other riders on the deck then sometimes a bollocking is necessary and can't wait till the end of the ride for a quiet word.
    Sometimes it's just how some people ride. If that someone is an old club stalwart who has been riding for 50yrs, knows all the routes and is leading the group it's difficult to say anything.
    Nothing to prove. http://adenough1.blogspot.co.uk/
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    You have to ride properly for the safety of everyone. If a bollocking is deserved then take it and learn and move on.
    It's all forgotten by the coffee stop.
  • cycleclinic
    cycleclinic Posts: 6,865
    Stop riding with folk who try to tell you how to pedal. Folk have tried telling me that they have stopped now.

    Some riders think they have to impart wisdom to new riders. There wisdom can be flawed. As said Cadence is a red herring. Don't think about it just keep the gap constant and alter your gearing or cadence accordingly.
    http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.
  • philbar72
    philbar72 Posts: 2,229
    with our club,we tried a chaingang like effort along drift road on sunday, and everyone got it by about 1/3 of the way in. some transitioned across slower than others and some initially didn't soft pedal, but overall everyone got it. was good to see a real mixture grow into this. by the end of the ride everyone felt a bit more comfortable and were happy to have learned something. no one barked and we all just got on with it. good times.

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