(Updated July 2023 with “soft drop” definition.)
I thought I’d quickly jot down how I view group rides and the ways in which I prefer to run them.
There has never been a greater truth than this…
The most important thing about a group ride is inclusivity, getting to know people, and building community. It’s not average speed or looking pro. Cycling has a unique opportunity to grow its inclusiveness, and it’s our job to make our rides as inviting as possible. Yes, it’s helpful and courteous to join and run a group ride where everyone can sustain roughly the same fitness and speed levels. But we’re there to talk, get to know each other, and share in a common experience, not to train for the World Championships.
Climbing is an integral part of cycling and isn’t something to be minimized or avoided on group rides. Yes, climbing can be hard. It’s also quite often where you find the greatest sense of accomplishment on the bike as well as big gains in fitness and ability. And the views at the top are (almost) always worth it!
Coffee is an integral part of cycling and is to be maximized whenever possible on group rides. Rest stops become meaningful moments to savor when there’s quality espresso and baked goods available. Whenever possible, we stop where there are yummy snacks and caffeine. Last resorts such as convenience stores and gas stations are allowed when a coffee shop is simply too far from the route (this sacrifice is to be lamented and discussed extensively during the ride). And the pecking order is clear: hipster high-brow coffee shops > chain coffee shops > convenience stores > gas station mini marts > public park water fountains (because, ew).
Hold me to account for communicating the ride expectations clearly. Drops or no drops? OK to attack the group or not? Sprinting for stop signs cool or frowned upon? Everyone clear on where we plan to regroup? It’s my job to ensure that stuff is clear to everyone ahead of time.
The right time to start a group ride is a) when people can make it, and b) when the conditions are best. After decades of riding, I remain mystified by 9:00 am start times in the dead of winter. Try 1:00 pm in January (northern hemisphere); you’ll thank me.
Fun and safe group rides are not synonymous with pacelining the entire time (IMHO). Effective drafting and paceline work can be a fun and safe way to increase the group’s speed; who doesn’t like free speed courtesy of basic physics?! On flatter roads, sure, we’ll draft and save some energy. But I tend to shy away from running rides where pacelining is the only way we ride as a group. That’s a very effective way to miss out on the priorities mentioned above in #1. Instead of the occasional conversation and social aspects to the ride, everyone becomes focused on just the wheel in front of them, getting agitated when someone takes too short of a pull, and obsessing over whether we lost average speed on that last section. Boo to that vibe.
Safety and courtesy really do matter…as does everyone’s time. Don’t be that rider who shows up with malfunctioning equipment, forgets to bring a spare tube, or is sure that rear tire will be fine today even though it’s flatted three times in the past month. We all have lives off the bike and places to be; wasting a half hour on the side of the road because someone in the group was selfish or disorganized can be infuriating for everyone. Yes, true accidents will happen at some point (e.g. picking up a shard of glass in a tire). But let’s do our best to minimize if not eliminate the preventable ones.
What’s above applies to rides of all disciplines; here are a few extra notes on my gravel rides specifically:
Gravel rides are not inherently “safer” than road rides and require even more attention to detail than group road rides. Yes, you’re way less likely to be hit by a car on a gravel ride (no/few cars, yay!). But you or someone else in the group is far more likely to lose a rear wheel on loose gravel, hit a hidden pothole, or slide out in a turn. I’ve seen far more group riders go down on gravel rides than road rides due to the complexity and care required to navigate more challenging surface conditions.
Cornering and descending on gravel require different, safer riding technique. You simply can’t ride safely on gravel presuming you can corner and descend just like you’re on a road bike. Slow down just a bit and remember that your tires aren’t going to grip a corner like they do on tarmac, even if they’re 40 mm!
Pacelining on gravel roads is kind of ridiculous (IMHO). These are the roads where it’s actually safe to ride next to each other to chat; take advantage of it! And per the first point above, riding four inches from the (gravel) tire in front of you is a super efficient way to increase your chances of hitting the deck. There’s less time to react to the plethora of sudden obstacles and changes in surface conditions that gravel riding brings. Chill out, enjoy the grind, and relax about your average speed when riding gravel.
Please ride tubeless tires/wheels on gravel rides. Your chances of pinch flatting are orders of magnitude higher if you show up running tubes inside your tires on gravel. Be smart and courteous to others in the group and run tubeless to help minimize flats (and don’t forget to dump in some fresh sealant every several months).
A final word on when I advertise a ride as a “soft drop” ride. As opposed to a traditional “drop ride,” where the group waits for no one regardless of the situation (mechanical, performance, etc.), my “soft drop” rides adhere to the following principles:
The group won’t regroup consistently, and we won’t wait for riders that can’t keep up with the core group’s pace whether as a result of fatigue, cramping, or simply choosing the wrong ride to join.
The group will try and quickly diagnose and assist with basic mechanical issues. More complex and time-intensive repairs may be left to the rider to resolve on his/her own.
The group won’t abandon a rider who is in obvious physical distress and will work to bring that rider to a point where s/he can be safely picked up or is otherwise safe to continue riding alone.