As much as we love riding our bikes, it truly is a much better experience when we ride with others. Few could deny that with an increase in numbers, a ride becomes safer, the reason to make that coveted ‘coffee stop’ increases exponentially, new routes are discovered, and you feel more justified in spending that insane amount of money on your latest cycling kit. Group rides can be inspiring!However, given how easy it is to have a group ride become a miserable waste of a ride, many people will often skip out or not make any effort to commit to this incredible, social, and fitness-boosting opportunity. Below are a few tips I’ve learned to help make your next group ride ‘invite’ worth your time, and that of those you ride with.
(Notice: tips are primarily for participants, not just ride organizers.)
1. Know the Route and Make it Known
If you are the organizer or just a participant, make sure you know the planned route before the ride begins. If the route is not planned, then consider bailing or at least expect a lower turnout. Knowledge brings confidence, and there is NO REASON not to pre-publish with one of the many FREE route-making/sharing tools.
Some of the big route creators are: RideWithGPS, MapMyRide, and Strava. All work well, but I think Strava is the best for the following reasons: a) It’s FREE, b) It’s accurate (no missing or dirt roads), c) It’s comprehensive (distance, elevation, profiles), d) It’s transferable (download to GPS units, print Cue sheets, share online, etc.), e) Most people already use it!
Once you have created/have access to the route, PRINT IT, download it, share it, and talk about it with those you are riding with. Again, knowledge brings confidence, and confidence is contagious!
2. Group Rides are Not Races
Do not show up to a group ride ready to race, even if you know the riders participating set a high pace. First, there is a very high chance that you will simply ‘blow up’ and have to bail early on the ride or be the one in the back hanging on for dear life. Group rides will always ride at a pace faster than you by yourself. This is the result of drafting and group adrenaline. Expect the ride to go at a solid pace, and be conscious to pull-back on your own efforts during the ride. So many group rides end short or with a group of miserable people because the pace was too high for much of the ride. It is not a race.
Additionally, if you show up in ‘race mode,’ there is a very good chance you are simply going to tick people off, rather than motivate or impress with your power. Group rides are about social riding, not individual efforts and goals. You can get a solid workout in and, maybe, set some PRs, but let this be unintentional, rather than your primary goal. Group rides work we group at all times.
3. Have a Group Plan
The group should have a plan for the ride, not just to ride a certain route at a certain time. A Group Plan should include: expectations, planned stops (if any), how many (if any) A/B/C groups there will be and how they are going to work, drop/no-drop policy, and an understanding of how the course will effect the group (climbs, descents, busy intersections, etc.). All of this needs to be considered, planned and communicated to the group. If you do not have an answer to these ride components, then you need to ASK/DECIDE before the ride begins.
4. Know Your Skill Level
Know what kind of rider you are. So many people show up to group rides only thinking about the qualities of the people they are riding with. What’s most important is knowing the quality of rider that YOU are. What is your fitness level? What is your level of bike handling skill? Do you know how to fix a flat, ride in close proximity to others, and observe the local laws of the road? You don’t have to be a Master in these areas, but you do need to know your skill level and communicate it to the group. Riding with a group is all about the Group!
5. Take Care of Each Other
Don’t let someone fall behind. You don’t have to be the one always circling back, and not every ride has to be a ‘no drop;' but, take care of each other. If the group has a good experience, chances are you will too. Vice versa: If the group has a miserable time and feels like they wasted their time, then it doesn't matter how great your ride was...the Group ride is probably never going to happen again.
Keep an eye on your fellow riders. Even if you are not the one to drop back, let others in the group know what's going on. Again, and I can't stress this enough, Group rides are about the Group.
So, there's my Top 5 tips on joining a group ride and making sure it's fun. I'd love to know what makes group rides great for you, too. And, if you are in SoCal, look me up whenever you wanna ride. After all, riding is even better with others!
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