How to ruin a group ride:. V Only Mondays

[Too Tall]

Welcome. If you are reading you are logged in, engaged and possibly a righteous MoFo.

How to ruin a group ride in three easy pieces.

Show up.

Mind you business.

Do no harm.

I say this in jest yet it is true. Most of us desire camaraderie, foster bonhomie earned not freely given. So there lies the problem, that open door you seek to earn did not even exist. You are looking for love in all the wrong places bro.

[Tamu8104]

The difference between a group ride and a ride with friends; With friends, conversation(sh!t talking) is natural and easy. A group ride can feel like speed dating on bikes, especially if it's an environment that wants to prove how hip or racer they are.

[SlowPokePete]

We are all in this alone together.

SPP

[joosttx]

Tell a guy that you broke his strava KOm while on an ebike. But it was legit since you were wearing jeans. True convo I heard this year.

[David Tollefson]

Ways I've ruined a group ride in the last year...

* Roll off the front without even trying, and just solo the rest of the route. Kinda says it's the wrong group.
* Pulled a first timer aside to tell him to stop crowding people and forcing them to the ditch or the lane line.
* Gotten a flat and just told everyone to roll on, I'll catch up. I did, but with about a half-mile left on the route.

[MarkC]

For something simple in concept, group rides seem amazingly difficult to make great and maintain. Like many, I grew up with the awesome Sunday club ride, then used to lead rides trying to keep the flame going. Gave it up when folks stopped riding well and when folks didn't want to learn. There was an inflection point around a dozen riders where things seem to go from great to poop quickly. Attribute that to friend of a friend bringing a friend syndrome. Eventually this shreds the original group.

The big group ride (being part of or organizing) is something I cherish from my youth but no longer worry about recapitulating. It's part of a bygone era with many factors contributing to the demise.

[Saab2000]

How to ruin a group ride....??

• Turn a non-competitive group ride into a race.
• Half wheeling your buddies
• Being totally unaware of automotive traffic
• Squeaky chain and poorly adjusted equipment suck

I am kind of an elitist snob when it comes to this stuff and group ride etiquette is a big deal to me......... I could go on but this is a decent start.

[colker]

Don't talk too much.
it helps.
If no one talks at all.. it's a success.

[bigbill]

As I've stated before, I live in the Galapagos Island of cycling. A couple of hours separated from any other cycling group. Habits develop here and are not challenged because everyone does them.

Examples:
Lane split stopped traffic at a light just so they can pass you again.
Run said traffic light with all kinds of traffic around.
Take up two lanes.
Straight pacelines with a crosswind, just can't get them to understand an echelon.
About the time they grasp an echelon, we're heading the opposite direction and don't change the echelon angle.
Run over each and every piece of debris and then complain about flats.
One guy in particular has caused several crashes because he doesn't pay attention, scorecard includes a carbon frame (not his), a Eurus rear wheel, three guys with a total of 20 stitches. He didn't go down.
"hey, I've got a flat, anyone got a tube and pump?".

For all the above, I volunteer to be the rabbit and leave a few minutes early.

[NYCfixie]

Turn a non-competitive group ride into a race.

To me, this is the most annoying reason and why I rarely go on group rides.

[guido]

I've never been on a group ride. I live on a road frequented by them and they just don't make it look attractive. Occasionally riding with a friend or finding someone of similar pace to ride with on a Brevet is as close as I come.

[stackie]

Have a group ride without a patron. That's the real problem here. There needs to be a master with enough respect/legs to control the ride. Do some teaching. Tell the jerk on the tri bike that barely shifts to stop bringing it out.

I remember getting "taught" how to ride in a group and greatly appreciate it. I just wish now I had the consistency and legs to go out there and control the ride. Sadly, I don't. I ride maybe 40% of the Saturday rides. And I'm never in the shape to control it.

Jon