Common calls and hand signals pdf - tips for groups rides and bunches
Bunch riding etiquette (from Cycling Australia)
- Rear lights should be set to solid during dark hours and can be switched to flashing during daylight, unless others are annoyed by it. For bunch riding front lights should be solid and tilted down - no one wants to turn to see who is behind them and have 5000 Lumens in their face. A good guide is the light should not light the back of the rider in front of you, but their back wheel. Don't worry, cars can still see you.
- Be predictable with all your actions. Maintain a steady straight line and avoid braking or changing direction suddenly, especially if contesting a sprint. Remember that there are riders following you closely from behind. So slow down, gradually move out into the wind and slot back into your position in the bunch.
- Point out and call out any road hazards ahead. These include potholes, drain grates, stray animals, opening car doors, sticks or stones, parked cars, etc.
- Do not overlap wheels. A slight direction change or gust of wind could easily cause you to touch wheels and fall.
- Pedal downhill when you are at the front of the bunch. Cyclists dislike having to ride under brakes.
- Stay to the left when in front to allow room for others to pass safely on your right, particularly in traffic. Pass other riders on the right hand side whenever possible.
- Be smooth with your turns at the front of the group. Avoid surges unless trying to break from the bunch. A group will travel quicker when turns are completed smoothly.
- Avoid leaving gaps when following wheels. Cyclists save about 30% of their energy at high speed by following a wheel. Each time you leave a gap you are forcing yourself to ride alone to bridge it. Also, riders behind you will become annoyed and ride around you, especially if the bunch is working together to break away or catch a break in a race.
- When climbing hills avoid following a wheel too closely. Many riders often lose their momentum when rising out of the saddle on a hill, which can cause a sudden deceleration. This can often catch a rider who is following too closely, resulting in a fall from a wheel touch.
- Do not panic if you brush shoulders, hands or bars with another rider. Try to stay relaxed in your upper body to absorb any bumps. This is a part of cycle racing in close bunches and is quite safe provided riders do not panic, brake or change direction.
- A pace line is different to pulling turns - a pace line is just one line, with riders retreating by themselves and not on a wheel
- Pulling turns sees the bunch in two lines and riders must not leave gaps on either line:
- Riders on the front pull their turn (short turns of 20-40 sec are good when there is a large bunch and even shorter (2-20sec) for weaker riders or downhill or tailwind sections).
- Riders then signal with the outward flick of the elbow that they are about to pull off.
- Riders should continue to pedal as they move off to the left or right.
- Once a rider has moved over, they soft pedal and get to the back as soon as possible.
- The new rider on the front assumes the position where the previous rider was - i.e. in the middle of the lane (not in the left hand gutter).