Welcome to Beeston Cycling Club

The Thursday night social has been steadily growing each week since it started back in March, this week we saw the highest turnout so far, with 18 riders. We're really proud of it and hope people are enjoying the ride. As the ride has been growing so rapidly, there have been a few teething issues in recent weeks.

Riding in a group

Cycling is easier when we work together. The tighter we can ride in a group, the more efficient we are, and the faster we can be. It often takes newer riders a little while to be confident and comfortable riding in a tight pack, but the benefits of doing so are huge.

Contrary to what a lot of our 4 wheeled friends shout as they pass us by, the highway code advises that cycling 2 abreast is often safer for the cyclists and can be easier for cars to overtake. So when you're in a group, ride 2 abreast, unless you feel it is less safe to do so. A long line of individual riders takes a long time for motorists to overtake, and it also increases the risk of the group splitting. Before you know it, you can have a 50 metre split between the front rider and the back rider.

Riding in a close group means that visibility of the road surface can be impaired for the riders behind. So always point out obstacles either side of your wheels as you pass them, so the rider behind can avoid them.

 

Busy Junctions/Traffic Lights

At busy junctions and traffic lights, the social ride should regroup once all riders have been able to get through. This prevents a long split of riders spread up the road fighting to catch up.

 

Awareness

Be aware of where the other  members of your group are during your ride, particularly if you are a more experienced rider. Knowing how the group is spread out means you can work with each other to control the pace to keep everyone together. 1mph might be the difference between someone comfortably in the pack, or hanging on off the back, where they will struggle to keep up.

 

Hills

Hills always split up a group ride, it's expected. Good etiquette when facing hills is to regroup at the top of the climb. When you set off again, make sure the pack reforms quickly so that everybody can benefit from riding in a group.

 

What to do if someone is struggling

The best advice if someone is struggling to hang on is to help them out by getting them in the middle of the pack, protecting them from the wind, and setting a comfortable pace for them.

People often don't speak up when they are struggling, so it's the responsibility of all members to try and be aware of how other riders are getting on. The gains made by riding in the middle of the pack are often enough for someone to keep up, without necessarily having to drop the pace. Try not to keep overtaking someone who is struggling, instead, help them, by protecting them from wind or offering them a wheel.

 

Maintain a steady pace 

Whatever speed the group is riding, try and maintain steady pacing, the group easily splits up if you suddenly accelerate and brake alot, so keep speed steady and predictable. Your rides will be smoother, more enjoyable, and probably faster on average.

 

Sudden Braking

Please be careful when suddenly braking when you're riding in a group, we appreciate that sometimes it can't be helped, but try and give a vocal warning to riders behind to help keep everybody safe.

On a descent, give the rider in front of you a bit of space incase they need to brake, it's much safer to give each other space on a downhill section, and if you are overtaking on a descent, be sure to call out to the rider infront that you are passing, and on which side. (Always try and overtake on the right, just as you would a car)
 

Supporting New Riders

If you establish that someone out on a social is new to group riding, we ask our more experienced members to offer support to them to help pass on the etiquette of riding in a group. Make them aware of important hand signals, and encourage them to ride in the pack to help them build confidence riding close to others. You'll often see new riders ride at the back, and it's very easy for them to end up struggling there, and getting dropped. It's better to work with them, to keep them in the group.

 

If the pace is too slow

If during you're ride you find the pace is too slow for you and you want to shoot off. Politely let the group know your intentions, establish whether anyone else would like to join you, and take your leave off the front.