As triathletes, many of us are also members of cycling clubs where the 'club run' and 'chain gang' are weekly events. #TeamTCUK coach and athlete, Ady Dench, explores the rules and etiquette involved in group cycling and shares his feelings about mudguards, or lack of them!

Many of us triathletes have been or are also members of cycling clubs where the ‘club run’ and ‘chain gang’ has been the staple of the British cycling scene. The club run has historically been the first port of call for many a youngster where the rules and etiquette of cycling have been passed down by the experienced leaders of the group.

Now with the growth of cycling and triathlon we have had a big increase in more mature riders taking to the roads some with little experience of riding a bike and of the etiquette involved when interacting with fellow cyclists either as a solo rider or as part of a group.

Group rides are great fun (even an annual fancy dress club ride can hold good form – see photo below!) but with larger groups of riders comes higher risk and in order to ensure these rides remain safe as well as good fun it is important that riders follow a few basic rules. Riders should take responsibility to look out for others safety as well as their own and also bear in mind that everyone in the group may not be as confident or have as good bike handling skills as you.

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The sections below outline a few do’s and don’ts as well as some calls and hand signals commonly used.

Do

• Follow the Highway Code at all times – it applies to ALL road-users.
• Wear a cycle helmet.
• Ensure your bike is road worthy, brakes are fully operational and that your tyres are pumped up to the recommended PSI (as written on the tyre).
• When riding in a group, especially in the autumn/winter fit mudguards and an extending flap. This will not only keep you and your bike clean, but more importantly it will keep the riders behind you clean and dry as well. If you don’t fit mudguards, be prepared to ride at the back of the group. The diagram below about sums it up!

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• Cycle a maximum of two abreast in 2 close parallel lines where appropriate, focus on keeping it neat and tidy. It is easier and quicker for vehicles to pass a tight group riding two abreast than passing a long line of single file riders, especially if gaps appear in the line. However, be prepared on small or busy roads to ride in single file.
• Ride with 1ft approx. between your front wheel and the back wheel of the rider in front. There should also be 1ft between your shoulders and the rider beside you.
• Riders at the back of the pack to shout “Car back, single file” if there are vehicles behind. Listen and act on their calls, DON’T look back and check for yourself, as you will move off your line and may cause an accident.
• Lead cyclists to navigate and point out hazards in the road by either shouting or using hand signals. Listen to them and act on the calls, and most importantly, repeat them for the cyclist behind you.
• Ride directly behind the wheel of the rider in front. If you cycle in the middle of the two wheels in front of you, you WILL push the cyclist on your outside into the path of passing vehicles.
• Brake as gently and smoothly as you safely can when riding in a pack.
• Cover your brakes at all times.
• When on the front keep pedalling, this is particularly important going downhill. If you freewheel everyone behind will have to brake.
• Talk to each other. Point out either with hand signals or shouts, all potholes, manhole covers and other dangers in the road that could cause punctures or accidents. Follow the hand signals and calls of the riders in front as they will have seen the danger before you and then you can all communicate down the pack.
• If you are the back of the group and either see someone dropping or are being dropped it is your responsibility to call to the cyclists in front that the pace is too high. The pack must communicate this up to the front. The lead cyclists will not be aware if you start to drop. Ask them to slow down, it is your ride too.
• When asked to “ease up’ or “slow a little” do not brake suddenly. Gentle ease your pace by pedalling less hard or freewheeling for a moment. Look at your speedo – if someone is being dropped you probably only need to reduce your speed by half a mile an hour to allow them to stay on.
• Ride at a steady pace, keeping the pack as a compact unit.
• Check over your shoulder for other riders or traffic before moving out to the right.
• Slow right down when passing horses, and pass them as wide as it is safe to do so. Always call to the horse riders well ahead of catching them – a cheery “Good morning” or “Hello” will do. Keep calling until the riders indicate they know you are there. They may want to turn the horse so it can see you.
• If you are on the front, remember that people are following your calls. If you make a decision to pull out on a roundabout or junction, you need to call “Clear” or “Wait” to warn the pack of hazards.
• If you are feeling tired let people know. Accidents happen when people are tired and lose concentration. Everyone gets tired, let people know so they can slow the pace down and tuck you in the pack to carry you home.
• Cycle with confidence. If you’re nervous you will tense up and then are less likely to be able to respond to things quickly.
• When cycling at dusk or night wear appropriate reflective bright clothing and ensure you have working lights on the front and rear of your bike.
• Dress in appropriate clothing for the weather.
• Bring everything you might need. Prepare for every eventuality. For example, puncture kit, tyre levers, inner tubes, pump, multi tool (including chain tool), helmet, waterproof jacket, food, water, money, credit card, mobile, contact details in emergency.

Don’t:

• Overlap wheels, or nudge in between the wheels of the riders in front. You will come off if they move off their line.
• Ride on tri / aero bars in packs as you will not be able to brake or steer quickly.
• Make any sudden movements/changes in direction off your line when in the pack. You are responsible for the cyclist behind you, they are following YOUR wheel they need to trust you.
• Ride off the front. This is a group ride, not a race. If you want to go faster then let the others know what you are going to do and if no one wants to join you then go off and enjoy your ride alone.
• Stop pedalling if you are on the front, even on downhills. The cyclists behind you will read this as you slowing and could be forced to brake and bunch up.
• “Zone out” on the wheel in front. Keep aware of everything that is going on around you, look ahead and that way you can avoid most hazards.
• Whip round the outside of the pack to get to the front unless in an emergency. Shout up the pack any communication. If you do need to get to the front then make sure you check in front and behind for cars, remember three abreast will push you out into on coming traffic.
• Pull out at junctions without looking, having heard the “Clear” call from a fellow cyclist. Check whether there is a vehicle coming yourself.

Calls:

These are some calls you might hear. It is essential that you repeat them down the pack so everyone can hear:

“Car Up/Front/Back” : Keep tight to the cyclist next to you, and be prepared to cycle in single file.

“Hole” : Upcoming pothole to avoid. This can also be followed by a direction i.e “HOLE LEFT”.

“Slowing” : Usually accompanied by a hand signal. The cyclist in front needs to slow down for some reason.

“Stopping” : Brake!

“Wait” : Usually at junctions to indicate there is a car coming.

“Clear” : To indicate that a junction is traffic free. You must check yourself and not rely on others.

“Heads Up” : Hazard ahead, pay attention.

“Single out/ single file” : Get into single file safely and promptly.

Hand Signals:

These are some hand signals (other than the obvious left and right turns!) It is essential that you repeat them so everyone can see and pass it on:

Single hand in the air (up or down) : Rider is signalling that he/she needs to stop or slow down. Usually followed by the call ‘Slowing’, ‘Stopping’.

Pointing down at the road : This is to point out hazards such as pot holes, manhole covers etc. PLEASE copy this signal, it stops accidents and punctures.

Arm out left or right : Everyone in the pack needs to indicate when turning left or right.

Left arm signalling behind back : Signal the cyclist is about to move out into the road, e.g. to pass a parked car, to go round debris in the road.

Above all, ENJOY your ride and the benefits that cycling in a group brings. You'll get faster, more confident and you'll discover new routes (and coffee shops!) and make new friends because we're a sociable bunch us triathlete cyclists, right?!