5 Tips for Hanging With a Fast Pack
Everyone enjoys the camaraderie, competition, and excitement of a group ride—until you get dropped. Here's how to keep the pace.
Everyone enjoys the camaraderie, competition, and excitement of a group ride—until you get dropped. Here’s how to keep the pace. By James Herrera
Conserve energy by riding 15 to 30 cm behind the rear wheel of the rider in front of you. On rides that alternate leaders, it’s okay to skip your turn at the front if you’re tired. Just move to the back of the line and stay there until you recover.Anticipate Accelerations
Many groups, even those moving at a social pace, tend to pick up speed at strategic points: sprinting for a street sign or galloping over a short rise, for instance. If you can, move toward the front before accelerations happen—you won’t have to cover as much ground to catch up.Keep it Smooth
Some cyclists keep their bikes in a gear combination that makes pedaling hard. Don’t be one of them. Maintaining a steady spin in a comfortable gear (around 70 or 80 rpm) will keep your muscles fresh and ready to respond to surges in pace. Shift often to match changes in terrain.
Attack!
Riders sometimes shoot off the front of peppier group rides. Listen for the sound of shifting gears—a sign that someone is about to jump—and go with them if you can; it’s easier to go hard for a short distance than to catch up after you’ve been dropped.
Eat, Drink, and be Happy
On rides longer than an hour, eat something every 30 minutes and drink at least a bottle of water per hour. Otherwise you risk bonking and becoming dehydrated, both of which can make it harder to keep up with the group.
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