WHO THIS IS FOR
IS THIS YOU?
The solo rider joining a club for the first time
You are fit enough to ride with a group but have never ridden in a bunch and want to know the rules before you show up.
The experienced rider brushing up on etiquette
You ride in groups regularly but want a refresher on the conventions that keep everyone safe and the ride enjoyable.
THE ROADMAN VIEW
The Roadman view
Group riding is the bit that terrifies most solo riders, and honestly, the fear is justified if you have never been taught the basics. Riding a few centimetres from someone else's back wheel at 35 km/h requires trust — and that trust is built on everyone following the same unwritten rules. The single most important one: be predictable. Hold your line when you are riding at the front, when you are in the middle of the bunch, and when you are on the back. No sudden swerving around potholes you spotted too late, no grabbing handfuls of brake without warning, no overlapping wheels with the rider in front.
The communication side is equally important. In a well-run group, the front riders call out hazards — 'hole left,' 'car up,' 'slowing' — and those calls pass back through the bunch like a relay. The riders behind cannot see what the front sees, so if you are on the front and you do not call it, you are putting everyone at risk. Anthony has covered this extensively on the podcast with guests like Brian Smith, and the message is always the same: etiquette is not optional. It is the safety system that makes group riding work.
One practical tip that most new group riders miss: do not stare at the wheel directly in front of you. Look through the rider ahead at the road 20-30 metres up the road. This gives you far more reaction time and stops the panic braking that comes from fixating on a wheel that is 30 cm away. Your peripheral vision handles the gap. Your forward vision handles everything else.
EXPERT EVIDENCE
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY
- Brian SmithFormer professional cyclist, Roadman Cycling contributor
The riders who cause crashes in groups are almost never the weakest — they are the ones who lack spatial awareness. A strong rider who half-wheels, swerves around potholes, or brakes without warning is more dangerous than a weaker rider who holds a steady line and communicates clearly.
Hear it: The ONE Group Rides Mistake Everyone Makes (Avoid This) - Matt BottrillMultiple national time-trial champion, cycling coach
Group riding is a skill set, not just fitness. The ability to ride close, communicate, share the workload, and react predictably under pressure takes practice. New riders should prioritise these skills over trying to be the strongest in the group.
Hear it: 7 Hacks Pro Riders Use That You Probably Don't | Matt Bottrill
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
DO THIS WEEK
Practise holding your line on solo rides first
On a quiet, flat road, ride along the white line or road edge for 5 minutes without deviating. Focus on smooth pedalling, no upper body movement, and keeping a consistent distance from the edge. This trains the muscle memory you need before riding in a group.
Start with smaller, slower group rides
Join a social or introductory group ride (most clubs run a beginner-friendly group at 22-25 km/h) before jumping into the fast chain gang. Smaller groups of 6-10 riders are easier to read and communicate in. Build confidence in close proximity before adding speed.
Learn the call system before your first group ride
Standard calls: 'hole' or 'glass' with a pointed hand for road hazards, 'car back' for vehicles approaching from behind, 'car up' for oncoming traffic, 'slowing' when the pace drops, 'stopping' for full stops. Pass every call you hear to the rider behind you. If in doubt, ask the ride leader before you roll out.
COMMON MISTAKES
WHAT CYCLISTS GET WRONG
MISTAKEHalf-wheeling the rider beside you.
FIXHalf-wheeling — pushing half a wheel ahead of the person next to you — forces the pace up and causes stress. Keep your handlebars level with or slightly behind theirs. If you are stronger, save it for the front — do not push from the side.
MISTAKEBraking hard without warning in the middle of the group.
FIXIf you need to slow, ease off the pedals first and feather the brakes gently. Call 'slowing' or raise your hand. Hard braking in a tight group causes a concertina effect that can bring down riders behind you.
MISTAKEStaring at the wheel directly in front of you.
FIXLook through and past the rider ahead, focusing 20-30 metres up the road. Your peripheral vision naturally maintains the gap to the wheel in front, and your forward vision gives you the reaction time to handle changes ahead.
FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How close should I ride behind the wheel in front?
What does 'through and off' mean in group riding?
Should I use my brakes in a group ride?
How do I handle a hill in a group ride?
What should I do if I cannot hold the wheel in front?
Is it rude to sit on the back and not take a turn at the front?
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