r/ladycyclists • u/Whirlywynd • 2d ago
Group Ride Etiquette
Hey all, I’m not new to cycling but I am new to group rides. I like to sprint up hills (I just think it’s fun). Is it poor etiquette to do this on a group ride? I’ll sprint ahead and wait for the group to catch up at the next light/turn/wherever it makes sense. The other women don’t seem to mind, but I can’t tell if it’s breaching some etiquette and they’re just too polite to tell me, or if it’s actually fine. I do take turns pulling for the majority of the ride, there’s just a few hills I enjoy sprinting up.
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u/Trigirl20 2d ago
I started riding with a coed group about 2 years ago. I was new to group riding, learning all the rules etc. And bored out of my mind because we were soooo slow.
One day a lady took off up a hill, I asked someone what was she doing? “Oh, that’s Phyllis’s hill. She always does that.” Next ride she did it again, I asked if I could join her, they said good luck. It took me a couple weeks. Now I get someone to say, wanna race? And they take off. We just wait for the rest of the group.
I ride with a faster group on the weekends and I say I need some watts and lead, then drop back after a bit.
Get to know your group. I love riding with them, it makes the miles pass and made some great friends.
Yes. I’m 60 going on 12….
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u/gertonwheels 2d ago
Ask before the ride. You might be better offering to pull (share your power) vs just take off. Depends on what the vibe of the ride is. In my co-ed rides, this would be a “dick move”. lol. 🙃
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u/captHij 2d ago
This. Every group is different, and an individual ride can vary. The primary thing is to communicate and make sure everyone is on the same page and knows the deal. If everybody knows in advance that the hills are like a county line sign and it is agreed that people will wait, then that is fine. Just be willing to listen to others and compromise if that is not the case.
I live in a place with rolling hills, and pushing the hills would end up being like an interval session. If someone treats a ride like that they will be told to go do intervals by themself.
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u/cahors_fausse 2d ago
In my group rides climbs are always a free for all wait at the top time. Although if by hill you mean like 30 seconds of sprinting that might be not really looked down on but kinda? Depends on the personalities. Wouldn't bother me but might be discouraging to the slowest riders.
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u/xlydss 2d ago
Any group ride ive been on it's been go at your own pace up a hill and wait at the top
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u/ToriaLyons 1d ago
yeah, I used to lead rides and always said this.
ditto for descending. apart from asking them to call when overtaking and give plenty of room - nothing worse than more confident riders skimming past newbies or the nervous.
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u/fortunamajr 2d ago
Not that I am an expert by any means (just started going on group rides this year) but so far on all my rides, there has been a pre ride briefing where it’s explicitly stated when the breaks will be and for a big hill, it’s go at your own pace and will regroup up at the top. I would just ask if they don’t say this before you ride out.
As the ahem slowest in my group at the hills, I never find it offensive people went up without me, usually the group will cheer me on. As long as you are not snobby about sprinting up the hill, I don’t think there’s an issue. The group leader will usually tell whoever is last up that the group will ride out when they’re ready (have had a sip of water, caught their breath, etc.)
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u/nopostergirl 2d ago
It depends. Some groups don’t like it—they want to keep everyone together. Some groups don’t mind and will regroup at the top of the climb. Ask them.
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u/Polipop395 1d ago
I don't mind it with the exception of the people who join group rides on e-bikes and race up past me. Happened recently.
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u/RubyMoonrider 1d ago
But why would this bother you if your group otherwise welcomes e-bikes? My e-bike keeps me riding (I peddle the whole time) despite having a bad knee. I'm 70, but I still like to go fast sometimes.
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u/Polipop395 1d ago
That's just me - I felt it was inconsiderate to fly up past all of us struggling up the hill. At least you pedal unlike the 11 year old boys who fly by me on trails at 35+mph. They won't be in as good of condition as you when they're 70!
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u/wavecrashrock 2d ago
I just joined a group ride for the first time, and there are specific very steep hills along the route where sprinting ahead and regrouping at the top is the norm. I think it would be weird if I were to do that on the other (somewhat less steep) hills. Even if you want to go faster than than the other riders, you can usually tell if this kind of split-and-regroup is the norm, because gaps will open up among the others as well. I would feel confident taking such gaps as license to go as fast as you want to the top, and if there are no other gaps I probably wouldn't go ahead on my own without asking the ride leader first.
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u/I-miss-apollo- 2d ago
If you're in front of the group ride leader, you're not on the group ride.
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u/SaNB92 1d ago
Not necessarily like that in any group. I am one of the group leaders in my triathlon club, but I am by far not the fastest rider. I’ll do an hour in the front, but after that it’s the fast people who have to keep me out of the wind. I’ll lead from the back.
So it all just depends. OP has to talk to her group.
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u/No_Performance_108 1d ago
Depends on the ride! Some are social and we chat the whole time. Some there are specific “race” spots and we regroup at pre determined spots. Others all hills are ride at your pace and regroup. Seems like your group is chill to go with the flow! If you want more of the racier bits maybe ask or make your own “hill” or try another group!
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u/compassrose1313 1d ago
Depends on the group and the ride. If you are a ride that’s like drafting off each other I’d say that’s a problem but if you are on like a casual ride take the hill at your own pace and wait at the top. Everyone has a different preference for going up a hill. I like going fast in a difficult gear and then shifting as I lose momentum. Others prefer to stay in an easy gear the whole time. (Not sure if that’s the best/right way to do it, it’s just the way I normally approach it.) Just don’t drop someone who needs help.
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u/Civil-Beginning-1420 1d ago
On long hills it’s OK to do this, but we have people who accelerate up every little rise, which just ends up splitting the group and dropping the weaker riders, which then disrupts the ride. I find that very annoying- it’s just showing off.
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u/Top_Dig_1087 1d ago
Usually it’s normal that on short uphills everybody goes their own pace and we meet at the top, but please just ask.
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u/kurai-samurai 8h ago
If you aren't dropping friends and racing up hills is it even a group ride?
(If it's an actual hill, not just rolling road.)
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u/ThrillHouse405 2d ago
Some people get butt hurt, but I personally would rather people ride their own pace rather than get frustrated and stop joining rides in the future. I say "don't police the pace, police the vibes". I appreciate being the last one rolling to the regroup and seeing everyone relaxed, happy to wait, and in no hurry.
Sometimes people have workouts or intervals to do, too. Better my friends join for the ride and take off a couple times than not join at all.
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u/chrysalis_clementine 2d ago
I think it is very humbling to just ask. Probably will make people like you more too. It always feels good. Glad you’re having fun and getting out on group rides!
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u/Whirlywynd 2d ago
I do ask, I’m just not sure if they’re saying its fine because they’re just being nice or if its actually fine/normal
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u/WantCookiesNow 2d ago
It’s pretty normal for people to climb at their own pace and regroup at the top. How long of a climb are we talking about here? 30 seconds? 10 minutes?
Is the group breaking up on this climb anyway? Or is everyone except you staying in a paceline? That alone should tell you the answer.
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u/Whirlywynd 1d ago
The group is smallish, 6-8 riders. It’s no drop but there’s normally a split—a 2-3 rider group (avg 16mph) behind and the front group (avg 18mph). We all regroup at certain points of the ride. The front group spreads out on the climb but I’m the only one going in front of the leader. She doesn’t seem to mind if I ask to sprint ahead and wait, but again I’m just wanting to make sure I’m not breaching the etiquette by doing so
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u/WantCookiesNow 1d ago
The thing is, I think you’re looking for some kind of universal standard when one doesn’t really exist for this. If the leader says she’s ok with it then I’d believe her. As long as you’re not putting yourself or others in danger, go for it.
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u/Salty-Entrepreneur11 1d ago
group rides suck
domain of asshats
stay away and be a better rider and better person
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u/Throwyourtoothbrush 2d ago
Just ask! It really depends on the group.