Riding with Others: Finding your “Pace”

Group Riding: Part 3 – “MY PACE”

There is a great article over at micapeak.com called Pace Yourself often referred to as “The Pace”, written by by Nick Ienatsch, June 1993 for Sport Rider Magazine. As the title suggests, its about keeping the pace on the street. I think its a great start, but I want to take a different approach as I think its too generic in a sense.

Everyone in a group needs to ride their own ride at their own pace, if that’s unacceptable, its time to find a new group. Instead of “The Pace”, people should ride at their own pace: MY PACE (say it with me…MY PACE). Yeah, its a little more soft science than normal, but simply considering it yours versus a generic group pace gives the rider ownership.

RULE #8: MY PACE is simply about the single rider and the road. Its the mindset of not riding beyond your capability. Since other riders’ paces do not matter, it will be easier to let guys go and let guys by. MY PACE is about MY comfort zone along with MY riding style.

RULE #9: MY PACE requires some humility especially if you are at the back of the pack. Ideally, everyone in the group is at a similar level. Inevitably, this is rarely the case, and MY PACE will be different for each rider. In a functional group though, everyone’s pace is acceptable and their should be no reason to hurry.

RULE #10: MY PACE is also having the common sense to go faster at your own comfort level and increments. Focus on things like proper vision, smoothness, and comfort before the bolt-on performance goodies that we all crave. All the horsepower in the world will not help a rider who lacks the body’s mental and physical fundamentals of riding.

That’s it. What? You were expecting another long-winded sermon. Not this time. MY PACE is simple. Its not about entry speed, the proper line, tire pressure, or being cool around the campfire. Its about being cool in the head: knowing your limits, pushing your limits in small doses if you choose, and riding your own ride.

I know MY PACE. Be sure to get to know yours if you don’t already.

Group Riding: Part 4 – Riding in a Group

If you’ve decided to follow some of my suggestions by surrounding yourself with Humble and Smart riders, provided everyone with maps and cell phone numbers (for multi-day road trips), and ensure that everyone rides at their own pace, you’ve eliminated a great deal of the obstacles to having a fun and safe ride. I don’t have all the answers, but I have taken probably twenty or so multi-day road trips ranging from alone up to fourteen riders. Every time I ride in a group, I learn something new. Equally important as the good; is noting those things that didn’t work.

In a group ride, there are really only two options: Lead or Follow. It sounds simple I know, but don’t think its execution is easy, especially when you have a mixed crowd. Groups get completely FUBAR’d when people behind the leader stop following and start thinking. There is no reason for someone who is new to a set of roads to think about anything other than following with regard to where to go. Of course you have to think about the ride, but if you are following DON’T MAKE DECISIONS! Know where you are supposed to go and get there. If your group is any good whatsoever, they will be waiting together.

RULE #11: The leader of a section of the ride should be the one who both knows the area and is the fastest.

Its easy to imagine why you want the guy who knows the area to lead. Hopefully, he’ll let you in on the areas of caution (decreasing radius turns, surface condition, cops, etc.) Second, this person will probably have a good place in mind to take a break and gather up for the next section. And third, as mentioned in the past, it’s another unknown eliminated.

The group leader is the fastest guy in the best scenario, followed by the second fastest, and so on. In this case, the passing is reduced and no one gets pressured from behind. Of course, the guy in front has the longest to wait at the next stop, but that’s part of riding.

Often, the fastest guy is not the most familiar with the roads. If so, its best for the leader to explain the road to everyone and either get everyone to spread out accordingly, or prepare to wave someone by.

Sidebar #4: I realize that dicing it up with your buddies is a lot of fun. I do it too. I ride with guys who are all similar in speed (heh – or slightly faster) so I am fortunate that we are all usually within sight of each other. Its a great ‘Ha Ha’ feeling to show a buddy your front wheel in a turn. I am not saying that people must spread out…out of sight of each other…but it is the safest and I would recommend spreading out to newbs. End Sidebar #4

One of the few track rules that apply to the street is ‘the line’. Although there are no blue flags to tell you that you are about to be passed, your line is to be respected by any experienced rider. Again, its best to wave people by but that’s not always an immediate option. If you’re in an area of technical, tight twisties its best to keep your normal line and try to be predictable. The guy who is now on your rear tire will figure out a way to get around you. Smooth is vital for him to anticipate what line you will probably take. An erratic line makes it very difficult to pass and is no good for anyone.

If you are the one doing the passing, be cool. Yeah, if it’s a buddy you ride with a lot you can show him a wheel or maybe the middle finger, but otherwise wait for that short straightaway to overtake. If you pass someone in a turn and they didn’t know you were there, chances are you’re going to startle the guy as well as probably crowd his personal comfort bubble of space. That means you’re going to piss him off. I even wait to pass Harley’s until a straightaway (OK, my one HD dig;) ). An extra turn or two is not going to ruin your flow.