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Cycling in a Group
 

Joining your first group ride is an exciting milestone, but it requires a shift in mindset from solo riding to collective safety.

The golden rule is predictability: avoid sudden braking or swerving, as riders behind you are often inches from your wheel and rely on your steady line.

Communication is your best tool, so learn the standard hand signals for turns and always point out hazards like potholes, gravel, or parked cars.

While it is tempting to stare directly at the wheel in front of you, try to look "through" the rider ahead to anticipate changes in pace or direction. 

Insights

 

Going Uphill
Be aware that when going uphill and the rider in front of you changes gear or gets out of the saddle, their bike will drop back slightly, so whilst keeping your front wheel behind the rear wheel of the rider in front, you can place your front wheel slightly to the left or right, to avoid touching their rear wheel when it moves back.

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What is "Half Wheeling"​

On a group cycle ride, half-wheeling occurs when one of the two riders leading the group (riding side-by-side) consistently stays half a wheel’s length ahead of the other.

Instead of keeping their handlebars level with their partner, the "half-wheeler" pushes the pace just enough to stay slightly in front.

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It is considered poor etiquette. A group ride is meant to be a collective effort, and half-wheeling is often seen as a subtle (and annoying) display of competitive behaviour where it doesn't belong.​

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What does "Single Out Mean"?

"Single Out" is a verbal command and visual signal used to transition the group from riding two-abreast (side-by-side) into a single-file line.

 

This is primarily done to improve safety, comply with traffic laws, or be courteous to other road users when the road becomes too narrow or busy for a double-file formation.

Pro-Tips for Beginners

  • Don't "Overlap" Wheels: Keep your front wheel behind the rear wheel of the person in front of you, if, they swerve and your wheels touch, you are the one likely to fall.

  • Do not "Half Wheel" the person you are riding next to.

  • Be Predictable: No sudden movements. If you need to stop, call it out early and brake gradually.

  • Look Forward: Don't just stare at the tyre in front of you; look up at the road ahead to see what's coming.​

Take a couple of minutes to view this British Cycling video on cycling in a group

Common Verbal Calls

  • "Car Back!": A vehicle is approaching from behind the group.

  • "Car Up!": A vehicle is approaching from the front.

  • "Clear!": Called at intersections when it is safe for the whole group to cross. Each rider is responsible for making sure it is clear to proceed. Do not relay on another rider saying it is "clear"​​

  • "On your left/right": Called when you are moving alongside or passing another rider.

  • "Mechanical!": Someone has a flat tyre or a bike issue, and the group needs to stop.

Hand Signals 

Slowing down. The hand is moved up and down like patting a dog on the head
Verbal cue - "Slowing"

Stopping - Verbal cue "Stopping"

Single out - Verbal cue "Single out"

Obstacle on the left, rider moves over to the right
Verbal cue - "On the left"

Obstacle on the right, rider moves over to the left
Verbal cue - "On the right"

Pot hole, point out the position of the pothole. If the road is rough and it is not safe to take one hand off the handlebar, just use the verbal cue
Verbal cue - "Pothole left, right or centre"

Group Riding Etiquette

  • Aim to ride with less than one metre between you and the rider in front.

  • Ride in pairs, NEVER more than two abreast and directly behind a rider in front and not diagonally.

  • Single-out if a car is behind and when singling out would enable the car to pass, or if the road conditions make it sensible to do so.

  • Ride together and wait - Everyone takes time to set-off, clip-in and get settled back in the saddle. Keep the group together. Likewise, re-group at the top of hills and if necessary at the bottom. The lead riders should make sure that all riders are back in the group before resuming at a normal pace. 

  • Warnings and help - Front riders should warn of hazards ahead and inform the rest of the group verbally and/or with hand signals. Rear riders should ensure that no-one is falling behind. If they are, then they should inform those in front.

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