Photo #1 - The pack in a long and straight line with NO gapsThe photo above shows how a large pack ride. Noticed there are NO gaps in the large pack.
If you are not comfortable riding in the pack, then you SHOULD NOT be anywhere near the front but be behind the pack. Even if you are strong enough to be in front, we really don't want you here in front as it is dangerous if you don't know how to to draft. Learn!
Photo #2 - Drafting into the wind coming from the left of the packIf there are slight crosswind, notice where it is coming from and ride slightly to one side to take full advantage of the draft. Don't overlap wheels though as the front rider can make a sudden move.
Photo #3 - View from behind with the winds coming from left to right
Photo #4 - Tuck low and stay as much aero as possible but be aware of the roadStay close to the front rider's wheel, BUT always always be aware of what's coming up by occasionally looking pass the rider to the road up front. Anticipate red light and notice stop sign coming up ahead.
Photo #5 - Utilize the energy of the rider in front by draftingWhen the going gets rough, utilize the energy of the rider in front by keeping a constant gap. If the front rider accelerate, you accelerate also. Be ware of cars on the road. We were all over the road today and was generally unsafe. Remember a car is bigger than you. Respect it!
Photo #6 - Coming around the guy in front to helpAlways be courteous and help out. Look for the arm flapping which indicates you are to move up and take the pole position. And do it a smile too like Andy in the photo.
Rider in front, you have to MOVE ASIDE and SLOW DOWN slightly. The next rider moving to the front SHOULD NOT have to accelerate to take the lead. The act of you moving aside and slowing down should cause the next guy to move up.
If the front rider does not flap his arm, or move aside and slow down, this means he/she is comfortable in the front and does not want help. Leave him or her here. If you want to move in front and pull the pack, you can accelerate to the front but you will need to slow down slightly so that the pack can tuck in behind you. The pack SHOULD NOT have to accellerate to catch up with you.
Those who don't come out regularly to ride, please don't expect the rest of us to wait for you. Take a ride route and be prepare to go home ALONE if you can't keep up, or invest in a Garmin. Build up your endurance at the VeloViet's Saturday Social Ride before coming out to the Sunday's Ride.
SPEAK UP and add your comments here. Our new riders and inexperience riders really need our help to improve and to be safe when riding in our pack.
Ride Hard and Ride Safe,
Phong
I'll be the first to comment. Like always, I like to help Scott out whenever I can. There was no attack on Sunay, just lending some legs. I pulled to the front to help out maintaining a 20 mph speed. Riders from behind should step in and fill the gap if there is one. Shouldn't expect Scott to pull you up since he just did the pulling. Please help out and fill the gap.
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't been contributing and pulling for most of the ride, please don't jump out of the pack and attack.
No harm no foul, just learn from the lesson and help each other out.
Well first of all let's thank Phong for putting this together . Keep in mind that everyone is Volunteering there free time to make a better club. The safety of all of us is the most important thing,that we all get home safe to our familys after every ride. I have been putting the route together for a little bit now and it takes some of my free time to do so lets stick to the route as planned. we cannot change the route mid swing its not fair to who sets up the route who is riding the route and it is harder to keep track of club members. I think that the most important item we need to discuss is organization on the rode and off the road. We need to start representing ourselfs with a little more Professionalism. Always remember you are advertising the club the minute you put on a jersey. Ride safe
ReplyDeleteThank you Phong for doing the research and posting riding etiquette. We all need them, like it or not.
ReplyDeleteIt's safer riding if we discipline ourself to keep a nice pace line. Eyes on the road ahead of you. Be prepared for the unexpected. Second, if you practice these riding etiquettes, it will allow the group to stay together and demonstrate teamwork. Finally, riding in a tight paceline will allow every one to move faster.
Overall, once you learned how to ride safe in a big pack, it will attract other riders and promote our club. Remember, you are wearing a VeloViet jersey so ride like a true VeloViet member. If you recall in our last meeting, member that disrupts rides and cause unsafe acts may revoke their membership. Let's work together to prevent accident and ride stronger.
Please don't be sensitive to criticism. Be open minded. Tks.
T2.
That was cool demo Phong. However, we also need to call an ALL-HANDS meeting to go over our policies, Safe riding & riding etiquette for our new members and refresh the memories of the old.
ReplyDeleteRide On...
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It is extremely tight in a double paceline formation on the bike trail. I was in second or third row, but on the inside lane (a rider was between me and the opposite lane), and could not follow Tuan nor go to the front. The only way out of this formation on the trail is if the two front riders start rotating clockwise or counter-clockwise (like a chain rotating) to move out from the front two positions.
ReplyDeletePerhaps a shout out to the front riders as we go pass them to help pull may help clear all confusion.
Scott, I am sorry that we did not stick to the route. We all appreciate the time you put into getting the routes set up. The pack had "World Cup Fever" so the route was cut short so that the guys can hit the TV in time to watch World Cup Final. These soccer fans are crazed I tell you!
I also want to shout out to Dashaan and Andy. These two guys have not been riding, came out expecting a good organized ride, and the ride turns out to be a lot unorganized as we were making up routes on the fly. I apologize and we will need to stick to the published routes from here on.
I think if we talk things out, and don't be sensitive to suggestions or criticisms like Cap't said, then we will be a much safer and stronger pack. Communication is the key, and we should always be in learning mode. No one is "good" enough not to take in constructive input occasionally.
Or we can sprint it out and see who wins ;-) On the way back, the group was sprinting like nutz attacking each other. This was fun! Duc or Long captured the last sprint I think. I was "rookie" enough to try to cover every sprint that folks were made, and burned myself out after like the fourth sprint in a row by different people. The last sprint, that I could not cover, of course was the critical sprint. Darn!
The blame should be on me...I am the Road Captain & I did not do my job efficiently.
ReplyDeleteThanks goodness...the World Cup season is over! we are going back to our routine afterward.
Ride On...
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Toan, no one is to blame. We just have to remember to stick to the planned route.
ReplyDeleteI am training on my super sprint so that I can take on Duc or Long on the next sprint out. The key is finding the right wheel to follow next time!