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Riding in a Pace-line

The Register gives us very good advice when they urge us not to ride in pace lines. It's fact. They are dangerous. Don't do it....But, when the ride is heading into a headwind, and even when it's not, riders can see many pacelines out there. It's been said that a rider can increase effectiveness by 20 percent or more in a paceline. But riders also have a much greater chance of being in an accident, especially when riding in an impromptu pace line of folks that do not know each other's riding habits. So if you are going to ride in a pace line anyway, consider the following guidelines......

When you're driving in heavy traffic at 70 MPH in your car, the freeway is striped so that you are driving in a straight line right behind the vehicle in front of you. This is true in pacelines as well. It makes you predictable, not only to fellow cyclists, but to passing vehicles. A very good way to practice riding straight is when you are riding solo. Try to stay the same distance from the white line on the right of the road surface.

The cyclist behind you has got to be following a predictable wheel that he or she can trust with no surprises. Let your gears do the work and maintain a steady cadence. It's natural to slow for hills and headwinds. It just takes practice and a quick glance at your electronics.

A good pace line is a noisy paceline. Tell the other riders where you are at all times. One of the worst things that can happen is when the rider in front of you moves in front of your wheel.

Avoid focusing in on the rear wheel of the rider in front of you. Also, avoid riding directly behind the wheel in front. Try to ride a few inches to the right or if necessary (depending on wind direction) to the left of the rider in front of you without overlapping wheels. This allows you to view road conditions ahead and gives you extra time to react should the rider in front suddenly slow down. Always plan to have a way out if anything happens up front, even if it means going off-road.

When the leader changes, it's real important to allow the paceline to maintain a steady speed. Person number two should become person number one only by keeping a steady speed. The resigning leader should go to the side and and drop back well away from the passing line. When your ready to begin that well deserved rest, signal your intent to give up the "pull" by wiggling either your hand or your elbow on the side you want the rider behind to come through on. Just before pulling off, give it three hard pedal strokes to insure the rider behind is not overlapped, and then don't slow down until you have moved off to the right or left. Move over gradually, and do not swerve quickly.