Group Riding Tips

What do Ramblers and geese have in common? A lot. First we both fly/ride in formation. Geese fly in a V with the lead goose at the front, but everyone does their bit to make the flight easier. We do the same on our rides. If someone gets a flat there's a whole team there to support you. And hopefully help you. If you get lost, your team should be lost with you.

So think of yourself as part of a team. When you start your first road ride, the sweep will count off the number of cyclists in each group. 5 is an ideal number. Your group will start several minutes after the previous group and hopefully you won't catch up to them. We want to have at least enough room for a bunch of cars between every group. Thought you were just going on a ride to smell the dandelions? Well, you can still smell them but there's work to be done to keep you and your group safe.

Rider #1

Sets the pace so you don't end up joining the group ahead of you

Calls loudly if there's a walker up

Uses hand signals to point out potholes and other road obstacles

Should know the way. All routes are on RWGPS and maps are sent by email.

Rider #2

Your job is to support rider #1. They have a lot to do and have a tougher ride than you do as they're also blocking the wind.

Trade spots with them when they get tired.

Let them know if the rest of the group is keeping up.

You may also have to holler to those behind you if there's a walker up, and relay messages from the last rider if there's a car back.

Rider #3

This is a good spot for a new Rambler. Your job is to keep up so you don't lose sight of the first 2 riders.

You get to relay messages from the rider behind you to those ahead of you and from the first rider to those behind you. Hopefully this doesn't happen all at the same time:)

If you notice you're now the last person in your group, you need to let rider #2 know. You stop and wait for the rest of your team to catch up. If necessary, use your cell phone to see where they are and if they need assistance.

Rider #4

Same job as rider #3. Make sure you use hand signals to point out road obstructions and don't lose your sweep.

Rider #5

All you need for this job is a good set of eyes and a loud honk. Let your team know when there's a car back in a loud clear voice. You're the rider a car driver will see first so you must have a mirror on your bike and a bright rear light that's turned on. If your group is cycling a lot faster than the group ahead of you, trade spots with them at a rest stop. If you want to do your own thing, it's not a problem. Just let the Rc and sweep know before the ride starts so we won't be waiting or worrying about you.

If you want to stop at every dandelion to take a picture, your group should stop with you. You can imagine the problem this causes, so please take your photos when you're all at a stop. We have 2 or 3 Ramblers who are exceptional photographers as well as experienced riders and they are able to easily rejoin their group. They always post their pics online for everyone to enjoy.

A road ride can be a very safe ride and a honkin' good time if everyone does their part. I, of course, have to end this with a goose joke. How is a flock of geese like an airplane full of encyclopedias? They're flying in-formation!