Triathlon Training: The Group Ride

Triathlon Training: The Group Ride

In our Squad, we are seeing more and more riders meeting up to do their endurance bike ride together, to meet and ride as a group. This is fantastic. We learn so much off each other on these rides – new routes, fuelling, pacing, gearing – as well as having a nice, social time!

If you are new to these types of rides, or you are considering joining a group ride, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Most group rides – in most clubs or group ride settings – are social rides or endurance rides. The Sunday 3 / 4 / 5 hour ride for example. Endurance rides are (or should be!) generally zone 2 rides, perhaps working harder on the hills (or into headwinds!), but they should be mostly ‘comfortable’.

Some things to think about when you agree to meet up with others for your long ride …

What Type Of Ride Is It?

Group Ride / No-Drop Ride

A ride where you ride as a group. Generally, this should be at the pace of the slowest cyclist – so everybody stays together for the whole ride.

Meet Up

This is more of a ride where everybody does the same route. Not everybody will ride together, but the riders will regroup at specific points along the way. Top of hills. Junctions. Expect to be strung out a little along the road. 

‘Every Man For Himself’

Meet up and then ride the legs off each other!

Chain Gang

A ride where you are all bunched tightly and the leader is constantly changing. The pace should stay the same – so you shouldn’t notice surges in pace when a new leader comes to the front. The pace can be quick – or slow – on this type of ride. Agree it amongst yourselves!

A Group Ride – With Efforts

Sometimes, within a ride, you might agree to stay together for the first part of the ride and then include some efforts within the ride where everybody splits. 

• Hill climbs are a good example of this. Threshold effort up the hill and then regroup at the top. 
• Or as we approach race season, some riders may need to do some 10 / 20 / 30 minute race-pace efforts within their endurance ride. The group will naturally split. Agree some meet up points after the efforts. 

Pacing A Group Ride / No Drop Ride

At The Front

If you are riding at the front and you see a string of riders along the road behind you rather than grouped in a bunch, you are probably riding too quickly. Take the pressure off the pedals. 

If you hear others start to talk about pace, about fatigue, about their legs, you are probably riding too quickly. Maybe see if some of these riders want to lead for a while. 

The leaders have the responsibility of maintaining the objective of the ride.

At The Back

If you are riding at the back, it is not your responsibility to stay with the front riders. The group should wait for you and ride at a suitable pace.

Don’t burn your biscuits in the early part of the ride trying to keep up. This will be worse for you and the group later in the ride. You will feel awful and want the ride to end. The group will become frustrated at your slowing pace and the stop-start nature of their ride. As well as a the leaders having a responsibility for sensible pacing at the front, you have a responsibility too. If you are out for a three hour ride, you should pace your ride accordingly. Let people know if the pace is a little strong … before it’s too late!

Pacing & Effort

A good endurance-focused group ride will see you spending most of your time in zone one or zone two. When you check your data after the ride, you will inevitably see some time in zones 3 and 4 (and even 5!) – particularly if you are riding a hilly route. However, time in these zones should be small.

I hope the points above are helpful. Remember, group rides are lots of fun and can really help you develop your cycling ability. 

If you have any thoughts, questions, observations, get in touch!

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Triathlon Training: The Group Ride