Grab your bike, your mates, find a good road and get pedalling

I HOPE everyone was able to jump back onto the bike last week.

This week’s tips are to help with riding in a group — one of the best aspects of the sport.

There are not many sports as social as cycling and once you are comfortable riding in a group you can chat with your friends all ride. Geelong and the Surf Coast are great places to ride.

While you are getting back into the swing of things, bike tracks and quiet suburban roads are a fantastic place to regain confidence on the bike, away from traffic and other distractions.

Start thinking about including some climbing in your rides. Is there a hilly part of your local area?

Highton and Queens Park are good for this. Maybe go down to Torquay or Bells Beach and do some hill repeats among nice coastal scenery. Riding as a group on quiet roads is an excellent way to gain confidence and enhance your cycling skills.

A bike “bunch” can range from two to 20-plus riders and similar rules apply to all bunch sizes. goal. down a specific a riding group or build your own bunch. down to your local bike shop to make sure your bike is in working order. KEEP a comfortable distance to the wheel in front of you. The greater the distance the greater time you have to react.

As the group confidence grows you will be able to ride with greater efficiency in a more compact bunch. BE conscious of riding “two abreast”.

Australian law allows cyclists to ride two abreast but with continually changing road conditions it is a great idea to ride single file on narrow roads or if traffic seems to be building up.

Respecting motorists is as important as motorists respecting cyclists. BE conscious of road furniture.

Use signals and also your voice to identify different road signs, islands and road debris.

Also be aware of your speed when you are passing through roundabouts, corners and traffic lights.

Encourage your friends to join you in a bunch, this will increase enjoyment and be great practice for the group. In no time you will have a shared routine and keep each other on track.

You can also debate where the best coffee can be found!

Let us aim to introduce another ride this week, whether that is on the weekend, during the week or another commute to work, three rides of an hour will ensure your base fitness is starting to grow. Cheers, Cadel