Cycling Pacelines: Rules and Etiquette for Group Rides

Most cyclists log many miles alone or with only a few other people. Only later, as they meet other fellow cyclists, do they start riding in larger groups of friends. These group rides are generally unorganized, with each rider taking random turns at the front for no predetermined amount of time.

Whether or not you have thought about it or researched the dynamics of effective paceline riding or understand the very basic principles of how slipstreaming can significantly reduces the work-load of each rider over all, it is important to understand the other benefits to paceline riding and when you should use them.

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There are several types of pacelines and several rules of thumb intended to help the entire group think as a single entity in order to conserve energy and move as fast as possible.

Generally there are pace lines, rotating pace lines (clockwise or counter clockwise), echelons, and double pacelines. Each type of pace line has its own intricacies and different physics involved within each type. But first I need to discuss why drafting, or slipstreaming, is such an effective tool in cycling.

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The draft area behind another rider is a sweet spot where the wind is partially blocked-essentially pulling a rider forward, so that not as much effort needs to be exerted in order to propel motion. This area may also be known as a "fluid wake", with the fluid either being air or water. This all works because of the relative motion of the "fluid" in the slip-stream.

The Basic Pace Line

A basic paceline is what most riders use on casual rides. One rider sits on the front of a line of riders for a determined or undetermined amount of time. The rider pulls off at some point and moves to the back.

The basic paceline isn't to be confused with a rotating pace line, which is much more affective. A basic pace line is generally for a team of riders that aren't all at the same level of cycling. It isn't complicated and the stronger riders can take longer or most of the "pulls" at the front of the pack.

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A rule of thumb is to have a set amount of time each rider is to pull when riding like this. For example, in a group of riders we could say John Doe is stronger than Jane Doe, Nancy, and Bill. John might take 1-minute pulls while everyone else takes 45 seconds at the front of the group. Let say Jane climbs better than everyone, so she might lead the team up the climbs and since Bill is a monster on the flats, so he might take long pulls on the flatter sections.

In essence, everyone does what they can do to keep the group moving together at a speed that will suit all riders in the group.

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Rotating Pace Line

Take that same basic paceline and add more rotation to it and it is called a rotating paceline. This is the second most popular type of paceline in cycling. The riders rotate to the front in a faster lane and rotate to the back in a slower, resting lane. The direction of the rotation is determined by the direction of the wind. If there is no wind it doesn't matter which way the lanes rotate. But as a rule of thumb, the resting or slower lane is used to block the wind from the progressing, faster line. If the wind shifts, the direction of the rotation will also switch.

Usually, in group-rides, I see a version of this that only rotates in one direction. So sometimes the entire group is fighting the wind up the progressing lane of riders. It makes no sense to do that!

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Other considerations to switch the rotation could be the type of shoulder on the road, room on the shoulder, or road hazards on the shoulder. The most important though to consider and to always keep in mind will be the wind, and you can track this by watching the grass, the trees or the occasional flag.

Echelon

An echelon is taking that same rotating paceline and extending it at an angle across the road depending on the direction of the wind. This typically can't be done in heavy traffic because of the space needed to use this paceline effectively. The purpose of an echelon is to keep a pace at a constant speed through the progressing lane while still blocking most of the crosswinds. This formation kind of looks like a wedge of riders at the front of a peloton, or a paceline not in a straight line but angled across the road.

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The progressing lane of riders move up the line into the crosswind with the front man taking the brunt of it and quickly, but steadily eases back behind the progressing group. This type of paceline is generally only seen in racing, because there just isn't room for it unless the road is closed to motor vehicle traffic.

Double Rotating Pace Lines

Double rotating pace lines consist of more than one paceline rotating at the same to each side at the same time. Both the right and left side rotate to the back on the same side of the line the rider came off of. This is good for big club rides, just make sure not to cross over the opposite lane to get to the back of the paceline. If your on the right side pace line, stay in the right side pace line until you reach the very back, and then you may switch sides. From an aerial view, it would look like a current of water moving through the middle and two slower currents moving backwards along the sides.

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Tips for Basic Pace Line Riding

• When riding in pace lines, never ever over lap the wheel of the rider in front of you. If you're pulled up a bit faster than you expect to the rider in front of you, ease all the way up to their hip and sit up, putting your chest into the wind to slow down, or, as a last resort, scrub your brakes.
• When you get your turn at the front, take a short pull of 5 to15 seconds, and steadily rotate. Also never surge the group when get you get to the front. This is a common mistake of novice riders eager to prove to the group how fast and strong you are- but the object is to conserve the group's energy.
• If you're in a group that you don't know well, when you're the last man on the back and you start up the progressing lane of riders, shout out "last man." This gives the next rider the heads up that it is his or her turn to do the same thing.
• As you're pulling to the front, wait to hear the "all clear" signal that alerts you that it's time to pull off the front and into the rest lane, and as you do, also tell the next guy it's clear for them to get over. So in other words communicate! The line will move smoother.
• Finally if you're completely exhausted and can no longer "pull through," sit on the back of the pace just behind the faster lane and let each rider that drops back go in front of you. This will let you rest until you can keep a little reserve in the tank while also keeping the group happy.

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