GROUP RIDE PRACTICE SESSION

Hello and welcome to BCC Group Ride Practice Sessions.

The aim of our sessions is to allow members to gain confidence in their group riding abilities. We’ll do this using our fantastic local asset, Richmond Park. This gives us a semi-controlled environment to practice in. Each session will take approx 2.5/3hours. Leaving BHP at 7.45am.

What we’re planning to do:

Riding in pairs…
Riding close and in pairs has a number of advantages. The most well known benefit is ‘drafting’ in the slipstream as you follow directly behind your fellow rider. This saves you energy, which is good, and can also allow you to ride for longer and ultimately at a faster pace. During our practice laps we will alternate which riders are at the front of the group so everyone can experience the difference in effort required. The second benefit is that a small group, riding in pairs (6 or 8 riders), only takes up the same space on the road as a car, so therefore easier to overtake in one passing move. This is much safer than a long, straggly line of riders that drivers may be tempted to squeeze past unsuccessfully and end up splitting the group! When group riding works well, we negotiate the road with one intention. This, combined with the ‘same space as a car’ aspect brings real safety benefits to riders in traffic. And the third...it’s very sociable!

Riding closer together does rely on trusting your fellow members so here are a few basic pointers that we’ll practice:

A. Don’t Brake!

Yes, that does sound a little counter-intuitive, but it is sudden changes in pace that are most likely to catch you out. Best to ‘soft-pedal’ so you slow gradually, or if you have to, brake gently. No slamming on the anchors!

B. Keep Pedalling!

Linked intrinsically to point A, this prevents gaps opening up between riders. Simply free-wheeling for a spell while the riders in front continue to pedal means you’ll slow, they’ll drift ahead, and you will be effecting the riders behind, you’ll then need to ride faster to catch up causing a yo-yo effect! ...and then the benefits of group riding rapidly tail off. So this will be a key technique to practice.

C. Single!

Sometimes a group will have to make the decision to ‘single out’.

Who and how does the group make that call? What’s the safest way to single out and then re-form into pairs? Again, a key technique we will practice.

D. Transformation!

Once we’re comfortable riding as a group...we will also try out laps where we increase the pace from Latte to Cortado and from Cortado to Macchiato so you can experience the difference in speed/effort...should you be considering a different pace group coffee option!