In our final blog on group riding, we give you our top tips to get the most out of your ride, to feel safe and confident and to enjoy it to the max.

• No surging: Don’t surge on the front, aim to keep a consistent pace. If you surge it has a concertina effect on the group behind you and they will need to exert more effort to follow you.
• Increase Effort Not Speed: When you move onto the front of the group increase your effort but not your speed – you are after all no longer benefitting from a draft so you will need to put more work in, but don’t suddenly increase the pace!
• Pull longer, Not harder: If you’re feeling strong, do longer turns on the front of the group rather than increase the pace. If you’re feeling tired, do shorter turns. There’s no specific amount of time you’re required to sit on the front of a group so judge the effort by how you’re feeling. 
• Stay Calm: If you lose the wheel in front, don’t panic. There’s no need to suddenly inject pace to get back on the wheel and then brake sharply when you get there. The key is to smoothly and steadily increase your effort level and you will gradually close the gap.
• Look Out for Each Other: Be sure to point out hazards and look behind you regularly to make sure the group stays together. It’s never nice to get dropped from a group and left if others don’t look behind them! It’s especially important to look out for each other in different conditions, windy days, hilly terrain, wet road surfaces etc. 
• No Tri-Bars: If you have them, don’t use them during a group ride as you aren’t able to cover the brakes from there.
• Mudguards: These are a must for group riding in winter. It’s very antisocial to spray water and mud at the people behind you! You’ll also appreciate it when others have mud guards.
• No Half Wheeling: Don’t half wheel the person next to you when you’re on the front. This is when, instead of riding side by side, you are nudging your wheel ahead of the person’s wheel next to you. This is considered bad form and will continually push up the pace of your group. It will also annoy the person next to you!  
• Communication is Key: Speak up if there’s something you’re unsure about, if you’re starting to fall behind, or if someone’s riding is making you feel nervous on their wheel. Group riding should be fun, but it takes communication to make it work well.
• Practice Makes Perfect! The best way to learn how to ride well in a group is to ride regularly with a club or group so you’re comfortable and confident. If you’re new to it, it may take a bit of time to get used to, but the more you do it, the more natural it becomes.

Taking the time to learn and practice good group riding skills will give you confidence in yourself and of those around you. If you have confidence, you will also gain the confidence of others in riding on your wheel. Remember, be the good wheel to follow, not the one to avoid!

If you aren’t already a member of a cycling group or club, why not connect with your local ones to find a group that works for you. Check out our Club Finder Tool.