At some point, you may ride in a group and probably as part of a club run. Riding in a group is a skill in itself. For first-timers it can be a bit daunting, you ride very close to others, you must concentrate more and there may be shouts and hand signals from those at the front of the group which filter their way back down the line of riders. This article will try and explain the etiquette and handsignals/shouts you may see/hear on a typical club run.

 

Whether you are riding as just a pair, or a big group, generally a group of cyclists will ride side-by-side or two abreast. In the case of a large group, this will be two perpendicular lines of riders, if the number is odd, there will be single rider on his own at the back unless there is  a gap in one of the lines further up. There is no law, despite whatever abuse drivers may dish out, that states cyclists cannot ride side-by-side, but as a matter of courtesy to other road users, the group may 'single-out' to allow vehicles to pass.

 

This term, ironically, is usually shouted at from the rear of the group. A rider at the rear may see a queue of traffic is building up behind as they can't pass safely. In this situation its prudent to single out and let them pass. Aswell as a matter of courtesy to other road users, its for safety too, as you can guarantee drivers will get impatient and may pass, too fast, too close or in an unsafe place putting the group at risk. Singling out is a simple manouveure. The idea is to become a single line of riders from two. The textbook way of doing this manouveure is for the rider on the right or left  to accelerate while the rider next to him/her eases slightly to allow a gap to develop between them and the rider in front. Into this gap, the accelerating rider drops in line. hey presto! a single line of riders. In reality, it won't all happen at once and more than one rider may drop into a gap, but overall the principal is the same. 

 

This call will come from the riders at the front of the group and may be accompanied by a handsignal. If a rider spots a pothole, they generally shout 'Hole!' and point to it, be it in the centre of the road, to the left or the right. If the group is big enough to need the information passed back, riders further down the group will shout and point the same to alert riders behind to the upcoming hole. Its a precautionary shout, if the hole is deemed very big and dangerous, the shout will be louder and firmer, the riders in front making sure, for definite, everyone is aware of it. 

 

Groups of riders will always encounter parked cars on the left hand side of the road. Most riders will be aware of such cars but its common for riders further down the lines to ride along happily chatting and a lack of concentration approaching a parked car could be dangerous. As a general rule, riders at the front of a group will shout 'On the left!' as they approach any parked car or obstruction, and accompany this with a hand signal behind their back waving them out to the right to keep out. Again this will be relayed by other riders behind if the group is big enough. 

 

When riding on a single track road as a group or a narrow road, Car Up! and Car Down! are shouts telling riders in the group that a car is either approaching the group head on or passing from behind. Car Down! will be shouted by riders at the front when a car is approaching the group. Alternatively, Car Up! is shouted by riders at the rear when a car is passing closely due to the width of the road. Both shouts alert riders to keep into the left as passing cars will be closer than normal. 

 

This shout is to warn the rest of the group to slow down. The riders at the front will shout if they think a junction or obstruction warrants a warning. Riders behind will relay this shout as above if necessary. 

 

No one wants to ride on the front of the group all of the time, its hard work! The benefit of group riding is by sharing the workload at the front, everyone has an opportunity to rest behind in the group and talk, chat and be sociable. Thats what its all about! Changing riders at the front is a simple manouveure, much like Singling Out. The rider on the front of the right hand lane accelerates and pulls in front of the rider at the front on the left. The rider behind him then accelerates slightly to pull alongside them, towing the line behind. At the back, the rider on the left pulls over to the right and accelerates to fill the gap created by the accelerating right hand line. Simple.

 

Turns are taken based on numbers in the group. If the group is large, turns are more frequent. If you're not ready to ride on the front, stay at the back of the group and allow another rider to take your place in the line as the riders move up the right hand line.

 

In the Winter with the wet roads, its courtesy for riders to have mudguards on their bikes if possible. Not all do, and some that do, they aren't the best but for first-timers, if you can put mudguards on, please do.

Its an unwritten rule, if you are experienced and fit enough to do a turn on the front, you're generally expected to. For first timers or anyone who really isn't capable, don't panic you won't be expected to do anything other than enjoy yourself, but there will come a point when you should try and muck in.

Punctures and Mechanicals are generally sorted out by the rider themselves as soon as possible. No one likes to wait and get cold, so its important you have the right tools. A spare tube, a pump, a puncture repair kit and money should be a minimum. The group will wait and help, but if you turn out grossly unprepared, its not fair on others.