If this association is worth half a penny, your ride leader will give you a briefing and answer any and all questions before you guys roll out.
I don't like what most think of as a "group ride". I play "follow the leader" in traffic every day, there is nothing interesting to me about riding a formation.
A spirited pickup ride between a few experienced riders, that's a different story.
Everyone should experience the "group ride" at least once.
Have your leader explain to the group hand/foot signals that will be used, there are common ones like kicking the foot out to the side to show people behind you any hazards in the road and the like... but some groups and/or leaders like to have other signals too.
Just don't get into the mindset of watching the tail light ahead of you, treat it like you're riding rush hour traffic. Stay aware of your environment 360 degrees and always plan to have a way "out" in an emergency. Everyone in your group should do the same as well, otherwise this happens:
and that's just the short version of what happened that day!
I don't like what most think of as a "group ride". I play "follow the leader" in traffic every day, there is nothing interesting to me about riding a formation.
A spirited pickup ride between a few experienced riders, that's a different story.
Everyone should experience the "group ride" at least once.
Have your leader explain to the group hand/foot signals that will be used, there are common ones like kicking the foot out to the side to show people behind you any hazards in the road and the like... but some groups and/or leaders like to have other signals too.
Just don't get into the mindset of watching the tail light ahead of you, treat it like you're riding rush hour traffic. Stay aware of your environment 360 degrees and always plan to have a way "out" in an emergency. Everyone in your group should do the same as well, otherwise this happens:
and that's just the short version of what happened that day!
