BRAT Club – Cycling Group Etiquette and Communication. (Adapted from a
document from British Cycling level 2 coaching handbook, with thanks to
Andy Stowe and Steve (Washy – bike guru) Washbourne)
Top Tips for riders
Make sure both you and your bike are prepared: Ensure your bike is well
maintained as misfiring gears or poor brakes can make you a liability in a
bunch. Carry suitable spares, clothing and some of your own food and drink so
that you are self-reliant. Always carry a spare inner tube, tyre levers & a pump,
and make sure you know how to change your inner tube should you puncture.
Do not venture out with a group of cyclists if you have not been out much on
your bike before! This is not only dangerous for you but everyone you are
riding with. Get comfortable and confident with riding your bike. Once you feel
confident then venture out onto open roads, again when confident you are
ready to ride with the group. The C ride is not a Novice ride.
A ‘group’ ride is exactly that, the idea being to ride together as one, as
smoothly as possible. Mudguards should be fitted during all club runs during
the winter. If you don’t wish to fit mudguards then you will be expected to sit
at the back of the group. Helmets are to be worn on all club runs and ensure
they fit properly. If a leader feels that a group is too big he may split the group
into 2. Your full cooperation in assisting will be much appreciated.
Before each rides sets off the leader will give you a brief overview of the route
- distance, terrain & average speed. If the group is sticking to the plan and you
find yourself continuously dropping off the back and slowing the group down
the onus will be on you to make your own way back. A leader will never leave
you in the middle of nowhere he will lead you to a particular point in the ride
and point you in the direction of home. Conversely if you feel that the group is
too slow you have 2 options. Firstly you ride with the group at their speed
assisting the other riders where possible or you let the leader know and head
off alone. What you don’t do is keep forcing the pace of the group until it
fragments.
Communicate: The most important factor to successful group riding is
communication. Make sure you know the meaning of and always pass any
verbal signals through the group. As well as obvious shouts such as “slowing”
and “braking”, others to be aware of are “car up”, meaning there is a car
behind to be aware of, “car down”, meaning there is a car up ahead and
“single out”, meaning to adopt single file. Be aware there are local variations of
these shouts, so use your eyes too. There are a number of hand signals you
should also be aware of (see illustrations below).
Be aware
Stay relaxed in the group but constantly look around and don’t mindlessly
follow the wheels. Look past the riders in front to get a heads up of the road
ahead. Always look first and let the riders around you know before moving
within the group.
Obey the rules of the road
BRAT rides take place on roads that are open to traffic and, even with those on
closed roads, there’s no guarantee that there won’t some traffic on the course,
so ride accordingly and obey the highway code. Respect junctions and always
stay on the correct side of the road.
Ride consistently and predictably
Your movements will affect everyone in the group. Hold a straight line, don’t
weave and always overtake around the right hand side of the group. Don’t
grab your brakes and, if you stand out of the saddle, don’t let your back wheel
drop back. Also, when you come to a feed station, no matter how relieved you
are to see it, don’t veer across the road. Never sit on someone’s wheel down
on your tri-bars in a large group. This may be ok for a team time trial during the
Tour De France but not for club/training runs.
Avoid half wheeling
If road conditions and traffic allows you’ll often be riding two abreast. Maintain
an even pace and stay level with the person next to you. Do not constantly up
the pace whenever a rider draws level to you. Known as “half-wheeling” this is
definitely frowned on.
Wheel suck
Don’t always sit amongst the wheels and shirk your stint on the front. Even if
you just put in a few turns of the pedals it’ll be appreciated. However, even if
you’re finding the pace easy, don’t get on the front and put the ‘hammer
down’ (A term used to describe someone riding at the front of a group at a
hard pace). Keep the pace and effort consistent, if you wish to ride off the
front, please leave the group and ride on your own
Don’t ride in the gutter: If you’re on the front of the group, don’t sit in the
gutter as you’ll be forcing everyone else to follow you increasing the likelihood
of hitting obstructions such as drain covers and of picking up punctures. Where
possible, ride 1 m out from the curb.
Expect the group to change: Groups will change, fragment and reform as the
ride progresses. Expect larger groups on flat sections but, on longer climbs,
they’ll break up. Similarly, on descents, riders will tend to string out to give
more time to react at higher speeds.
Hand Signals
Hand straight up in air:
Group is stopping for a junction, puncture or because there is an obstruction in
the road.
One hand as if “gently patting an invisible dog”:
Group is slowing down or just ease things back a bit.
Left or right hand extended out to side:
Direction of turn / change in direction coming up.
Pointing down at road sometimes with a circling motion:
Obstruction on road such as a pothole or drain cover that needs to be avoided.
Be sensible with this one and only point out major obstacles. This signal is
often accompanied with a call of ‘below’.
Waving/pointing behind back:
Indicates that there is an obstruction such as a parked car or pedestrian and
that the whole group needs to move in the direction indicated to avoid it.
In more detail
1. Group Riding
Whether riding with friends and club mates or in coaching sessions, it is
important that riders maintain a certain level of etiquette within the group.
This preserves the safety of the group and helps prevent accidents. Typically,
road hazards include:
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potholes, puddles, gravel, water or ice
parked and moving vehicles
junctions or traffic signals
the group slowing down
the group turning
pedestrians, animals.
When riding in a group riders should:
 use verbal prompts to let riders behind know of any slowing in speed,
changes in direction or hazards ahead - verbal prompts must be clear
and concise
 where possible, reinforce the verbal prompts with hand signals (e.g.
point out the location of potholes and objects in the road, warn about
moving around parked cars, or slowing and stopping for a road junction)
 react calmly and smoothly to any prompt or command from another
group member
 check behind before changing direction
 watch the road 20-30 metres ahead rather than immediately in front
 take responsibility to look out for potential hazards when at the front of
the group.
When on the open road, cars may approach from behind. In such cases, the
rear riders must call messages or warnings to be carried up the line to those in
front.
Common faults
 Poor observation means that riders do not see problems ahead or do
not hear or see the warnings from the riders in front.
 Not speaking clearly enough or loudly enough. Not giving enough time
for others to react.
2. Riding Two Abreast
Riding side by side or two abreast may be useful in social, training or racing
situations. Riding two abreast shortens any line of riders and it is easier for
riders to communicate with one another if they are closer (and can see each
other's faces).
Riders should:
 ride next to each other and maintain a steady pace and a straight line
 keep their handlebars in line with one another
 have their elbows 15-50cm away from the next rider
 increase their pace around corners when on the outside of the group
 allow the inside rider room to move out to avoid hazards, such as road
debris and drains, commonly found by the kerb
 communicate with one another, especially for hazards in the road (e.g.
agree which side of a pothole each rider should pass)
 warn others behind of any hazards, changes in direction or if they are
slowing or stopping.
In a long line, others must relay this information back down the line.
99% of the time if it is not safe to overtake when the group is riding 2 abreast it
is not safe to overtake when singled out. Once you start to single out most
drivers will see this as an invitation to overtake which can be far more
dangerous. Any decision to single out should be made by the ride leader. In
most cases it is far safer to stay 2 abreast until cars can safely pass.
Common faults
 One rider tends to increase the pace and edge forward, half-wheeling
the other.
 The outside rider pins the inside rider close to the kerb.
 The inside rider drifts away from the kerb, pushing the outside rider into
the centre of the road.
 Riding too close to one another.
 Riding too far apart.
3. Riding in a Line of Riders
Whether riding a road race, a team time trial or training, riders can save a
great deal of energy if they can ride in a line and take shelter behind others.
The closer a rider can follow the rider ahead, the greater the advantage.
However, this does take practice to ensure that both riders are riding safely.
Riders should:
 relax, with their hands on the tops of the handlebars or the brake hoods
 maintain a steady pace and a smooth pedalling action
 stay seated, rather than getting in and out of the saddle
 anticipate any changes in speed or direction - or hazards ahead - by
watching down the line, rather than looking at the rider immediately in
front
 use peripheral vision to judge and maintain distance from the rider in
front
 avoid using the brakes if possible - freewheel or drift to one side of the
rider ahead to slow down slightly if too close to them
 avoid overlapping wheels
 give verbal warnings to those behind of any slowing in speed, changes in
direction or hazards
 always look behind before moving out of line or changing direction.
Common faults
 Focusing on the rider or wheel ahead.
 Grabbing at the brakes.
 Constantly freewheeling and adjusting pace.
 Riding in and out of the saddle, disrupting the line and the riders behind
4. Observation and Rider Awareness in a Group
A key skill of riding in a group is being aware of others in the group, and
knowing what else is going on around the group.
Riders should:
 take note of the number of riders in the group at the start of a ride
 check this at intervals throughout the ride
 limit the possibilities of where cyclists can be, by riding to one side of the
group
 look for opportunities to save energy - for example, riding close to a wall
or hedge may provide more shelter from a crosswind
 look for clues about wind direction - flags, trees or grass
Common faults
 Worrying about other riders' techniques and not concentrating on the
road.
 Wasting energy by not looking for opportunities to save energy.
5. Adjusting Speed When Riding in a Line of Riders
It is very difficult to hold an absolutely constant pace. Changes in the gradient,
road surface or wind direction will all affect the riders' speed. In a group, the
overall speed may change very little, but there may be numerous adjustments
of pace going on within the line of riders.
Riders should:
 maintain a steady pace as this is more energy-efficient (and less tiring)
than to have frequent changes of pace
 note that changes in pace take time to be relayed and are exaggerated
further down the line, causing the line to concertina
 anticipate any changes in speed or in direction - or hazards ahead - by
watching down the line, rather than looking at the rider immediately in
front
 be prepared to change gear in readiness for changes in speed when
exiting corners or climbing hills
 use peripheral vision to judge and maintain the distance from the rider
in front
 avoid using their brakes if possible; instead, they should freewheel or
drift to one side of the rider ahead to slow down slightly if too close to
them
 check behind before moving out of line
 use the rear brake as this is less severe and it also indicates to the rider
behind that they are slowing
 give verbal warnings to those behind of any reduction in speed, changes
in direction or hazards. Also see Riding in a Line of Riders.
Common faults
 Riders adopt a staccato pedalling style, frequently pedalling and
freewheeling for short periods.
 Riders fail to look far enough ahead to anticipate changes in the speed of
the line or group.
6. Changing in a Line of Riders
Whether road racing, training or riding in a social group, riders need to be able
to change position within the group. In particular, riding at the front of a group
is tiring - there is no protection from the wind and it consumes more energy
than riding in the slipstream of others.
Riders should
 ride close behind the rider in front
 look ahead to anticipate changes in direction or hazards further up the
line, using the body of the rider in front to judge the distance ahead,
rather than looking at their wheel
 keep relaxed with their hands on the tops or drops of the handlebars
 check behind and indicate before moving about 1metre to the side
 avoid using the brakes to slow down; instead, riders should allow
themselves to drift out and back into line to lose speed
 move to the front of the group and maintain the effort of the previous
rider without increasing the pace or slowing down
 take brief stints at the front – 20 seconds (roughly 30 pedal revolutions)
is ideal
 move to the windward side to help shelter the group
 look for the back of the line and move in behind the last rider as quickly
and smoothly as possible.
Common faults
 Allowing too much space between riders.
 Watching the wheel of the rider in front, instead of looking further
ahead.
 Increasing pace when taking a turn at the front.
 Spending too long on the front of the group.
 Overlapping the wheel in front.
7. Through and Off
This is the most common method of riders sharing the workload, often seen
when a breakaway is working to establish a lead in a race or, in coaching
sessions, when aiming to maintain a high pace.
The leading rider should:
 after 15 to 20 seconds (approximately 30 pedal revolutions) check
behind and move to one side (ideally, traffic permitting, into the
windward side of the line)
 ease off momentarily, to allow the following riders to take up the pace
 allow the group to pass him, watching for the back wheel of the last
rider in line
 move back into the line behind to shelter from the wind.
 The second rider should:
 come to the front of the group and take his turn at the front for 15 to 20
seconds
 maintain the pace of the group, not go faster or slower.
Other riders should:
 follow this pattern, allowing each rider to take a short turn at the front
before peeling off and returning to shelter at the back of the group.
Common faults
 Failing to take account of the wind direction.
 Accelerating when at the front of the line.
 The leading riders not moving over far enough or easing enough to let
the next rider through.
 Riders increasing their effort in an attempt to maintain pace on hills,
instead of accepting a lower speed and steady, more sustainable effort.
8. Sheltering from the Wind
Conserving energy when riding is very important. Even in still air, wind
resistance is the biggest force a cyclist has to contend with, and this increases
exponentially with increased speed. If riders have to battle against a
headwind, there are great energy savings to be gained by working with, or
using, other riders. Following other riders saves energy and the wind direction
decides the best position to follow the wheel.
Riders should:
 be directly behind one other in headwinds and tailwinds
 ride slightly to one side of the wheel ahead, or even overlap wheels, on
the opposite side from the wind direction in a crosswind to form an
echelon