How to ride in the wheels
With flat, wide roads making up the majority of this route, Ridelondon will be, for many riders, all about riding in big groups, at speed. When watching bike racing on TV, riding in a big group looks easy, but it’s anything but. A peloton is a constantly evolving thing as riders move around it and it takes a great deal of concentration to stay in the group, and stay safe. Riding in a group you’re not only responsible for your own safety, but for the safety of all those around you. Here are our tips for group riding focusing on safety and energy conservation.
CONCENTRATE
When riding in a group you need to be switched on the whole time. Your primary focus should be the wheel(s) in front – keep it close, but not too close, and don’t overlap – and the riders ahead of that rider. So look ahead of the rider directly in front, over their shoulder or to the side of their hip, watch for the movement of the riders, listen for shouts warning of potholes etc, and try to anticipate the group’s movement.
BRAKING
If you need to use your brakes do so as gently as possible so as not to surprise the riders behind you. Cover your brakes at all times, be ready to use them, but don’t slam them on unless you absolutely have to. A gentle squeeze can be enough to adapt your speed without everyone behind you having to hit panic stations.
HOLD YOUR LINE
Unless you’re passing a rider in front of you, or an obstacle in the road, there should be little or no reason to move left or right. Any little movement you make can have a bigger effect to riders either side of you, so keep movements minimal and gentle. If you need to move, let the rider to your side know.
LOOK WHERE YOU ARE GOING
There is never any reason to look back over your shoulder. What is going on behind you can’t affect you. You need to know what the riders in front of you are doing at all times.
EATING AND DRINKING
Only do this in a bunch if you can see there are no turns or obstacles in the road ahead and you are confident of taking one hand off the bar without moving off your line. If you’re not, ease off the pedalling and allow riders to pass you until there’s no one behind you. Or pull over to the side and stop.