Paceline Riding 101

March, 2006

by David Meek, CBC President 2006

This month I will attempt to explain the basics of pace line riding. Riding in a well-organized paceline allows you to ride faster and farther than solo riding or drafting with a buddy or two. The miles will click away at speeds 2 to 4 mph faster and with less effort than your normal pace.

There are four types of pacelines single, double, circular and echelon. I will talk about single and circular pacelines as this is a 101 level course and we ride on roads open to vehicle traffic. Pacelines are aerodynamic group formations where riders tuck in a straight line with about two to three feet separation between wheels. The lead rider will take a short pull, then roll out to the side (almost always to the left) and drift back to the last rider in line and rejoin the formation. The difference between single and circular pacelines is the time spent at the front pushing the wind. In a circular formation, the time spent at the lead is only a few seconds, just long enough to allow the previous lead rider to drift back enough for the next lead rider to safely roll out without any wheel overlap. This constant rotation creates two lines, an ascending and descending line. Single and circular Paceline riding are not difficult for the recreational rider to master but basic bike handling skills are a prerequisite for your own safety and that of everyone else in the group.

With these basics and some practice you to can ride with the lead pack.

• Be predictable: Close formation riding demands straight line riding, no erratic side movements or sudden braking.

• Be predictable: Can’t over-state this.

• No wheel overlapping: if your front wheel touches a rear wheel you will crash and probably take out everyone behind you.

• Aero Bars: Don’t even think about it. The only time that this is acceptable is when you are you are pulling a single paceline. Circular lines don’t give you enough time to get into position. Do not use aero bars when you rejoin the back of the pack even with no one behind you. You are in close formation and cannot make instant emergency maneuvers or reach your brakes quick enough to avoid wheel contact.

• No sight-seeing or socializing: Close formation riding requires your total concentration.

• Call out road hazards: Line leader must call out hazards and riders should relay the info backward because of obstructed rider vision.

• Nutrition: Eat, drink and make any adjustments when you are the last rider in line.

• Wheel gap: Never get closer than 1 foot to the rear wheel in front of you, 3 feet is a good average. Remember larger gaps decrease aerodynamics.

• Don’t accelerate: keep an eye on your mph speed, when it’s your turn at the lead you will have to work harder but do not speed up.

• Don’t pull to long: In a single paceline time at the front can vary depending on physical condition.

• In general smaller pacelines equal longer pulls, large pacelines equal shorter pulls of about one minute. Circular pacelines require constant immediate rollouts after the previous rider clears to keep the descending line gap free.

• Drifting to the back: In a single paceline don’t stop pedaling, ease off slowly and anticipate when to slip back in the formation. Increase your pedaling effort before slipping back into minimize the speed difference so as not to get gapped. In circular pacelines the descending line moves slower, only 1-mph difference between the ascending and descending lines.

• Rider gaps: If a gap opens don’t make things worse by accelerating too hard to get back to the wheel in front, then braking. This causes a slinky effect at the back of the pack. Instead ease back up to the rider in front.

• Anticipate up coming hills: When approaching a significant hill allow your wheel gap to open a little because hills tend to compress the group. Be prepared to move to the side when the group compresses on a hill. Exercise caution as other riders may spread out at the same time.

• New best friends: When riding centuries, charity rides or other mass start events you will team up with strangers. They are your team members treat them as so but exercise caution until you determine their behavior and bike handling skills.

• Club riding pacelines: Our weekend group rides often involve pacelines. The ride leader must control the pace to keep the ride enjoyable for the weakest riders in the group. On these rides it is common for stronger riders to take longer pulls. This can keep the group rolling when otherwise the paceline would start falling apart. Just be sure to communicate to the weaker riders that they are not to take long pulls. This strategy will give strong riders the physical workout they want and allow weaker riders to experience that next level of performance they are working towards.

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