CRW Rides are open to members and guests. Guests may attend two rides annually before being required to join the club. Please click the Register button to the left to join the ride. Helmets are required on all CRW rides. Riders are expected to adhere to CRW code of conduct
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Ride Description:
The Northeast Bicycle Club is happy to provide instruction on paceline riding for CRW members. This is a CRW members only event. Those who have always wanted to ride a paceline will be shown how to do this safely and effectively within small groups of about 5 each. Speed is NOT the objective for this instruction session, rather we want to get people feeling comfortable riding more closely together, get everyone to ride safely and predictably, and how to exchange the lead rider for each paceline.
Why Cyclists Ride in Pacelines
The reason is, as any cyclist knows, riding into a headwind is harder than riding in no wind. Riding in a draft (e.g., behind a truck or school bus or another rider) makes riding easy. So, if five riders wanted to ride faster and more efficiently, they should share the load of breaking the wind for the group. Each rider should take turns riding at the front doing most of the work, then drop back and spend the rest of the time in the draft taking it easy. Once you experience this, you'll have an "Aha!" moment. (By the way, we're not advocating drafting trucks or school busses.)
Session Description
It is assumed that participants have little or no previous experience riding in a paceline. We will break into small groups and assign an NEBC instructor for each group. In the parking lot, we will start with a lecture on the responsibility of the lead rider, expectations for rider predictably, the importance of group communication, and how the group should behave on trafficked roads. We will demonstrate how (and when) the lead rider exchange is to be performed. Then each group will ride to a mile-long stretch of road nearby to practice this technique, including the exchange of lead riders. The instructor will accompany the group, providing tips, critiques, etc. At each end of the road we'll stop to turn around and discuss how to improve the group's performance.
Note that the road session will not be fast, so you may not feel the full advantage of pacelining. But with practice, as you and your fellow riders gain more experience and speed, you'll have your "Aha!" moment.
Ride Start Location:
MBTA Commuter overflow lot behind Donelans. Do not park in the Donelans lot. No bathrooms at ride start
Ride Leader(s):
Ed Kross ekross1976@gmail.com
Julie Stephanson 1julie234@gmail.com
