There will be times when you ride in a group (group ride) on your road bike.

If you're not careful, you might become someone who is "difficult to ride alongside."

Being difficult to ride alongside can throw off the balance of the entire group, ultimately making it uncomfortable for you to be in the group.

To avoid this, let's first check what kind of people are difficult to ride alongside.

People Difficult to Ride Alongside on a Road Bike

• Those whose speed is unstable

This applies not only on flat roads but also on uphill and downhill mountain passes; some people have unstable speeds.

If your gear shifting timing is significantly different from others, it can be difficult to ride behind you.

They might push hard for a bit, then slow down, perhaps due to fatigue, only to suddenly speed up again as if remembering something.

Maintaining a consistent speed is surprisingly difficult.

However, that's not what's expected.

What's expected is the ability to ride at an appropriate distance from the person in front.

• Those who swerve

On a road bike, you ride in a single file line.

It's so straight that it's sometimes referred to as a "line" or "train."

This helps reduce wind resistance by drafting.

However, if someone swerves, the line breaks.

The wind-blocking effect also decreases, which not only affects that person but also tires out those around them.

From a driver's perspective, it's actually dangerous because it's like a bicycle suddenly sliding out from the side and darting in front of a car.

If you maintain an appropriate distance between bikes, there's no need to move left or right to avoid tire interference.

This problem is resolved by maintaining an appropriate distance from the person in front.

• Those who brake suddenly

When riding in a group, it's advisable to maintain a distance of 1 to 1.5 bike lengths.

If you're not used to it, you can keep a bit more distance, but closer proximity offers better wind protection and creates a sense of unity.

While braking is necessary when needed, if someone's timing is off from the rest of the group, it puts those behind them at risk.

Also, people who feel that someone's braking doesn't match their own will start to keep their distance.

This can also hinder the formation of the line.

There may be pedestrians or cars suddenly appearing, in which case sudden braking would be necessary.

However, if you brake suddenly frequently, it might indicate a lack of proper speed management or hazard perception.

Riding with sufficient caution will make the ride smoother.

• Too fast / Too slow

Occasionally, there are those who like to show off their skills, or rather, their leg power.

They ride either too fast or too slow without considering those in front or behind them, which hinders the formation of the line.

This might not be a matter of skill, but of attitude.

Riding with members you trust is more enjoyable and effective, and this relates to such points.

By sharing meals at rest stops or destinations, you might gradually become closer and the ride might become smoother.

No group is perfect from the start, so begin with steady interaction.

The issues of being too fast or too slow will also gradually resolve themselves.

• Those who run red lights

When cycling, you're bound to encounter traffic lights somewhere.

While you naturally stop at a red light, it's up to the rider to decide whether to stop or proceed at a yellow light.

Even on a road bike, if you're riding in the city, your speed is likely around 30 km/h.

I don't think you'd pass through a yellow light because you couldn't stop.

By setting a simple rule like "stop when you notice a yellow light" and adhering to it, the ride becomes significantly smoother.

Ultimately, it comes down to the people you're riding with.

By considering not only yourself but also the people in front and behind you, the entire group can have a smoother ride.

• Those who constantly look back

There are two types of people who constantly look back while riding.

The first type is those who look back out of concern for the person behind them.

The other type is those who ride at a moderate speed, as if thinking, "They won't be able to catch up," thus avoiding being caught up to.

Both types make it difficult for the person behind to ride.

If you're going to ride together, it's easier to ride with someone who trusts their companions to some extent.

Precautions for Group Riding on a Road Bike

First, you should start by selecting members and unifying the purpose.

Let's broadly classify them into two patterns.

The first pattern is where the members' leg strength is somewhat consistent, and they rotate properly to reach the destination quickly and complete the ride easily by drafting.

Group riding with trusted companions falls into this pattern.

The second pattern is when the members' leg strength varies greatly.

This is the pattern where you need to ride together to avoid getting separated before reaching the destination.

First-time group rides or rides between people who haven't known each other long fall into this pattern.

In the latter case, it's safer and smoother to ride with a slightly larger distance between bikes.

Summary

To make group riding on a road bike smooth, it's necessary to be considerate and think not only about yourself but also about those around you.

Of course, it's easier to ride when leg strength is somewhat even, but that's something that gradually improves for the whole group as you ride together.

First, strengthening relationships among companions will likely have a positive impact on your riding.

External Writer: Koichi Okuno