Club Road Rides Paceline
SRAMcc usually adopts a paceline formation for its road rides. This involves cyclists riding in a single file line, with each rider taking turns at the front before moving out of the line, dropping back and rejoining the back of the line. By sharing the workload, the paceline formation allows the group to conserve energy and maintain speed. Please see below for a link to a GCN video demonstrating how a paceline works.
Group Size
SRAMcc has found that group sizes of 4-6 work best on the roads in and around Salisbury, and always aim to keep groups under 10 riders. If there are higher numbers, for example 9 riders, we have found it is better to split into a group of 4 and 5, leaving a 1-2 minute gap in between you on the road.
The Benefits of the Paceline Formation
The primary advantage of riding in a paceline formation is the aerodynamic advantage it provides. Riding behind another rider saves over 20% of the energy for the same speed, and this increases beyond 30% as you have more riders in front of you. By riding in a single line riders save energy and maintain a higher overall speed. Riding in a paceline also enhances safety by reducing the risk of collisions and allowing for better visibility of road hazards.
How to Ride in a Paceline Formation
- Stay close to the rider in front. When riding in a paceline formation, it’s important to maintain a close and consistent distance to the wheel in front of you. Aim for a distance of 50-100cm, depending on your experience and comfort level.
- Use your bike computer. Pay attention to the group’s average speed. When it’s your turn on the front don’t push. It will be harder as you are no longer in the draft so control your effort and maintain the speed.
- Micro adjust. Make tiny adjustments in your speed as necessary by soft-pedalling, feathering the brakes lightly to scrub speed, and sitting up or shifting left or right slightly to catch a bit of wind. Try to not make any sudden changes, break heavily, and keep pedalling.
- Time on the front. 1 to 3 minutes is typically how long each person should stay at the front. If there is a large disparity in fitness and ability, stronger riders can take longer pulls, but you still want to share the load and keep everyone fresh. Don’t feel pressured to stay on the front too long, drop off the front after 15-30 seconds if you are struggling and get back in the draft.
- Hug the line. When you peel off the front continue pedalling and stay close to the line as you drift back. You will lose less momentum, and it will be easier to rejoin the back of the line.
- Keep your eyes forward. Look through the riders ahead of you rather than staring at the wheel directly in front of your own. That way, you can naturally adjust to changes in terrain, rather than reacting (or overreacting) to the rider right in front of you.
- Communication. Always call out potholes and other obstacles in the road so everyone is alert and has time to react.
- Signal that you’re peeling off. Flick your elbow to signal you’re pulling off; this lets the riders behind you know you’re about to drift over and back.