It’s the off-season, which
means it’s the best time to focus on the portion of the race that is your
weakest. If the cycling portion of triathlon is the weakest for you, you might
want to consider trying a cycling group. Cycling in a group is an easy way to
stay motivated, while having a group of people who want you to improve. There
are a few things you should know before signing up for a group.
What kind of group is it?
Cycling groups usually fall
into one of two categories, the no-drop, or no-drop and no-wait. The no-drop
simply means that no one gets left behind, so everyone waits for the slowest
rider. The no-wait combination means that everyone can ride as fast as humanly
possible, but at the designated point must go back for the slower riders. Some
groups are all about racing. This means that every cycling meet-up is treated like
a race and whoever is first to the designated finish line wins. Of course it is
always important to find what works best for you. Would you rather try to
compete in a race while training or focus on a good workout with proper form?
picture courtesy of rideonmagazine.com
Communication
Surprisingly, the most
important part of all community cycling, is not cycling itself, but rather how
well the group communicates. Before you set off, you should know your route and
your group’s dynamics, (if there is a group leader, if you are waiting for
people, and at what points). On the ride it’s important to shout out possible
road hazards like potholes, so the entire group can avoid them. Communication
can make or break a cycling group.
Pay Attention
One of the drawbacks to a
cycling group is how close together you ride. Staying in unison with the person
besides you helps you avoid clanking elbows or getting hit by cars. This calls
for extreme focus, which unfortunately means leaving your favorite workout jams
at home. Riding with ear buds can reduce the safety of the group, because you
are not able to hear directions or precautions that are being shouted to the
rest of the group. Maintain focus and avoid mishaps.
Pacing and Pulling
The greatest benefit from
group cycling is the pacing and pulling it teaches you. Riding in a group can
help you gain insight on what your natural pace is and if you need to slow it
down a few notches. One of the most common mistakes is burning up your energy
before you get to the finish line on the bike. A group can help you slow
yourself down and realize how much energy you spend. Pulling is something that
has always been a little tricky to master, but when you train in a group you
are able to practice pulling. Riding by yourself, you do not have a cyclist
around you to pull ahead of, but riding in groups you are surrounded by people
who pull past you and whom you can pull ahead of. This creates less panic
during race time when deciding if you should pull or not, because you’ve been
pulling with your cycling group.
Be Prepared
This should be common sense,
but just in case it’s always helpful for a refresher. Bike tools are essential
for any ride; so don’t rely on your fellow cycling members to have bike tools
ready for you. It’s also benefits to know how to use the bike tools you packed,
so you are not waiting for someone to help you repair your bike. Do not ride on
an empty stomach. You should have enough fuel in your body to last the ride,
unless you have a designated rest point to re-fuel, but no one should wait
because your stomach is yelling at you to fill it. Lastly, make sure you are on time. Not only is
it disrespectful to the other riders, but they also have to wait for you. If
everyone takes turns being late that means the group will never start on time,
so do your best to be punctual.
The Last Leg
Find a group that suits your
training needs best and watch your improvements in the coming race season.
Don’t be afraid to be the slowest person in the group, because everyone has to
start somewhere. While cycling in a group can be fun, remember to focus on your
training and watch your results soar.
Happy Cycling!
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