A beginners’ guide to ... cycling in a group
Solo cycling is great, but cycling with a group comes with its own benefits. You’ll learn new skills, find you can go further and faster, and meet new people who enjoy cycling as much as you do.
However, joining a group ride for the first time can be daunting. You might wonder if you’ll be able to keep up, if you’ve got the right bike or kit, what happens if you get a puncture, how you all manage to stay together.
There are some specific skills and knowledge you need for safe and enjoyable group cycling. In this guide we’ll cover all the basics so that you can join your first group ride with confidence.
Why join a group ride
There are many benefits to group cycling. Cycling in a group is one the quickest ways to improve your own skills and knowledge.
Groups are made up of a variety of different people, all with different experiences and knowledge. All members can learn from each other and as a group newbie you’ll benefit the most.
Being part of a group is a great way to maintain motivation – whether that’s to get to the top of the next hill or getting out the front door when you can’t be bothered. Knowing people are waiting for you keeps you going.
You’ll also find that you can go further and faster without putting in much extra effort. Group riding means that most of the time you’ll be drafting behind another rider, reducing wind resistance and making riding easier.
And most importantly, it’s fun! We all know that cycling can be great for mental health and part of that is the social aspect. You’ll meet new people who enjoy cycling. People who’ll listen to all your best bike stories, and share their own.
You’ll have a bunch of friends to sit and chat with on coffee stops, to keep you company as you fix a puncture or cheer you on when you’re not feeling you’re best.
Finding the right group
A group ride can be a handful of friends heading out together on a short cycle, a club on a coffee stop ride or serious cyclists on a long-distance training ride for a race – or anything in between.
Finding the right group for you is essential to an enjoyable ride. Do some research before you go along to a ride. Most groups will advertise their rides online – on Cycling UK’s events listings, for example. You can also find groups local to you on our interactive map.
Most groups will let non-members join at least one ride before joining the group. Cycling UK members can join up to three member group rides before joining. Affiliate groups have their own rules so check first.
You want to match the group’s ability to your own, so look for things like speed and distance of the ride and what you’re comfortable with. The nature of group riding is that you’ll usually be able to go further and faster than when on your own, but it’s still best to underestimate your own ability, especially on your first forays into group riding.
Think about location. Are the rides within a workable distance from you? I once joined a group based in south-west London which started their rides at a café in Richmond Park, 32km across London from me. Lovely place to ride, lovely people – friendly, welcoming – but it was unsustainable.
One important thing to look for is ‘no drop’. This means that you won’t be left behind
Group size is something else to consider. Smaller groups are more manageable. Each group member is responsible for looking out for the others and that’s easier to do with fewer people.
One important thing to look for is ‘no drop’. This means that you won’t be left behind, the group will wait for you if you drop off the back. A drop ride, on the other hand, means if you lose the group, you’re on your own.
If you want to join one of these rides, make sure you know the route and can get yourself home. It’s entirely up to you, of course, but for your first rides I’d suggest a no-drop one.
If you can’t find this information online, get in touch with the group. The club secretary will be able to help you and answer any other questions you might have. You can also let them know when you’ll be joining a ride.
Be ready
Group riding means that you’ll be cycling close to other riders – following the rider in front’s wheel, shoulder to shoulder with the rider next to you, with a third right behind you. It is essential to everyone’s safety that you have basic bike-handling skills.
You’ll need to be able to ride smoothly, predictably and with control, maintaining a steady pace and holding a straight line. You should be able to take your hands of the handlebar to make any necessary hand signals and have the confidence to ride on the road.
If you have any doubts about your ability, join a beginners’ group where they’ll teach you these basic skills.
You also want to be fit enough that you can keep up – you don’t want to feel like you’re holding everyone up. The work you’ve already done to find the right group for you will help here. Be completely honest with yourself about your fitness levels and what you can realistically accomplish.
You should have some basic maintenance skills. The most common issue you’ll encounter is a puncture, so make sure you know how to change an innertube or fix the puncture.
It’s helpful to learn how to fix a broken chain and repair brakes and gears, but you shouldn’t need to know this – especially as a newbie to group riding. Your bike should be in good condition and so not need such fixes on the roadside.
The right bike and kit
The most important thing is to have a bike that’s in good enough condition to safely finish the ride. You should know from your previous research what sort of bike is suitable but more important than having the ‘right’ bike is one that you’re familiar with and comfortable riding.
Make sure that the brakes and gears are working properly. Check the tyre tread for wear and make sure they’re pumped up to the right pressure. Read our guide to simple safety checks for more information.
Fit mudguards, especially in winter when the roads are likely to be wet and mucky. Spraying dirty water over your fellow group members is simply rude. If you have them, remove tri-bars – these can be dangerous in a group ride.
There’s also some basic kit you should take with you. Most important is a puncture repair kit and a spare innertube or two. A multitool and mini-pump are also useful. Make sure you have sufficient water for the ride and bring some snacks as well as money for coffees along the way – and for any potential emergencies.
Have the right clothing. In the UK this will almost always include a waterproof. Layering is your friend here, while extras like arm and leg warmers will help keep you warm if temperatures drop. We have plenty of advice on what to wear when it’s hot and in cold weather.
If you’re going to be stopping for coffee, or a drink after the ride, find out if a lock is needed. And don’t forget that you’ll need somewhere to store all this kit. If you can’t fit it all in jersey pockets, then a saddle bag or bar bag will be needed.
On the day
Eat a decent meal before the ride and make sure you drink plenty of water. Ensure you’ve got plenty of fuel in the tank to avoid the dreaded ‘bonk’ – a sudden drop in energy levels, causing you to feel weak, shaky and unable to continue. Our guide to what to eat on a long ride will help.
Don’t be late! Life happens, and sometimes things come up that mean you won’t be on time. But for your first ride with a group you should aim to be a bit early rather than keep people waiting. If you can’t make it, let the ride leader know as soon as possible.
It’s a good idea to introduce yourself to the ride leader when you get there – they should be expecting you if you’ve let them know in advance that you’re coming. This means they can go through any rules or guidelines and ensure you fully understand it all.
Being a bit early also means you can chat with other group members and ask any questions you might have. Let people know this is your first group ride and they’ll be more than happy to give you advice. Pay close attention to everything you’re told.
The ride
Depending on group size, you’ll be either riding in single file or two abreast, with the latter more usual. This keeps the group together, making it easier for cars to pass. It’s perfectly legal to do this in the UK, as per the Highway Code. However, there might be times when it’s not appropriate, in which case the group will single out.
Group riding is fun; it’s a great way to improve your cycling skills, meet new people and enjoy your cycling even more
Communication is key on group rides. There are hand signals and verbal calls you should be aware of. If you don’t understand any, ask before setting off. We’ll be explaining these in more detail shortly, but here are some of the main ones (which you may well remember from cycle proficiency/Bikeability!).
- Stopping
Call “Stopping!”; signal by holding your hand down by your side with the palm facing backwards, towards the riders behind you. - Slowing
Call “Slowing”; signal by holding your hand down by your side with the palm facing downwards. - Vehicle approaching
Call “Car up!” to indicate a vehicle approaching from the front; “Car back!” indicates a vehicle coming from behind. - Turning right/left
Hold your arm out parallel to the ground, in the direction of the turn. Calling “Clear!” indicates that it’s safe to cross or turn at a junction. - Pothole, glass or other road hazard
Point down at the hazard and make a circular motion with your hand. - Moving into the road (to avoid a parked car for example)
Signal with a bent arm held behind your back, pointing in the direction you want to move.
Make sure you communicate any movements in plenty of time. It’s up to the entire group to make sure signals and calls are passed along to all riders.
Some group riding skills
In addition to basic bike-handling skills such as riding smoothly, predictably and with control, holding your line, there are some skills that are essential to group riding.
No sudden braking
This can be dangerous – forcing the rider behind you to brake harder and the person behind them even harder and so on down the line. If you need to slow down, ease off your pedals, sit up in the saddle or move out slightly to increase wind resistance. If you do need to use your brakes, do so gently and smoothly.
Riding close to the wheel in front
To take full advantage of drafting – riding behind the rider in front so you’re protected from a headwind – you need to be close to them. Start off around 1m away from their rear wheel and close the gap as you grow more confident.
Never overlap
However, you should never overlap any part of your wheel with the one in front. Either stay directly in line with the wheel ahead or slightly to one side – this can give you a clearer view of the road ahead – but always stay behind.
Take your turn at the front
The benefit of group riding is that the rider or riders at the front take the brunt of the wind, making it easier for all the riders behind. A few moments of pain at the front makes for easier riding the rest of the time. This means everyone should take their turn at the front.
If, as a newbie, this worries you, communicate your concerns at the outset. You might be let off for the first time or take a much shorter stint at the front.
Don’t push the pace
Maintaining a consistent pace is essential when group riding. Keep your speed the same as the group – it’s not a race. Pushing the pace forces everyone to catch up, increasing the speed and effort. This is especially important when taking your turn at the front.
Never ‘half wheel’
Related to the above, ‘half wheeling’ is when you edge half a wheel in front of your riding partner, forcing them to catch up, which forces riders along the line to do the same, until everyone is cycling faster than they wanted. Stay level with your partner to maintain the pace.
Pay attention
Don’t just stare at the wheel in front of you. In a group ride you need to know what the rider in front is doing, what’s happening further ahead and the road conditions.
Scan the mid-back of the rider in front of you as this will give you the best chance of predicting what they’ll do next and how close you are, look over their shoulder so you can see what’s coming up and through their front wheel so you can judge the condition of the road you’re about to ride over.
Stay calm
Try to stay relaxed through the upper body – this will help absorb any bumps in the road. It’ll also serve you well if you brush with other riders’ shoulders, hands or bars. This happens on group rides and it’s quite safe. Just don’t panic, swerve or brake suddenly.
A note on nerves
It’s completely natural to get a bit nervous before joining your first group ride. Will you get on with the other riders? Will you be able to keep up? Will you inadvertently break some unwritten rule and earn the everlasting disapproval of the entire group?
The best way around this is to make sure you’re properly prepared, and this guide will go a long way to making sure you are. Then feel your fear and do it anyway! Group riding is fun; it’s a great way to improve your cycling skills, meet new people and enjoy your cycling even more.
