Safety Tips for Riding With a Group

If you’ve only ridden alone, ridding in a group is not only a whole lot of fun, you’ll meet some really great people, and riding in a group is safer too. When on the road it is easier for traffic to see a group then an individual.

Listed below are tips that will help you become familiar with group riding. These principles were first created with road riders in mind, yet these same principles will apply when riding on the trail as well.

Whether on or off road you’ll share a responsibility with the rest of the group you’re cycling with to inform each other on dangerous obstacles and road or trail conditions. Such as a low tree branch or a loose manhole cover. In cycling groups across the country there key signal phrases shouted while on a ride to alert the others of these obstacles and dangers. Below are some common key phrases and definitions.
“Car Back!” – An automobile is coming from behind, tighten to the right so the car can pass.
“Car Up!” – An automobile is pulling out in front from a side street or a driveway.
“On Your Right!” – A cyclist in the group is going to pass you on your right hand side.
“On Your Left!” – A cyclist in the group is going to pass you on your left hand side.
The important thing is to communicate the obstacles and other objects that threaten your group’s ride.

When I was 15 in driver’s education learning to drive a car, we were taught to keep one car length for every ten miles per hour between my car, and the car in front. The same principle is applied when cycling, have a safe distance between your bike and the cyclist in front of you. Just as in a car crash you don’t want to rear end the guy in front of you if he suddenly jams on the brakes and stops.
You’ll also want some side to side space for wobbly riders, and riders like my brother who think they are funny by riding close enough to reach out and grab your brakes or shift your gears.   

Each club has a different dynamic that you’ll learn as you ride with them. They will explain the route to you then you’ll learn what kind of riders they are. Some are casual riders, others ride as if they are training for the next big race, and some seem to be on a bar crawl. So go out ride with a few different clubs until you find one that matches you kind of cycling.