Born and bred in Ireland, I cut my teeth in a different cycling culture and environment. My introduction to the US Cycling scene was in contrast to what I grew up with in Europe. Group rides in the US are still a little bit of culture shock to me even after 12 years in the US. A great group ride is more like a great work of art; it has a distinct form and a certain distinct ordered structure. To me there is a beauty to the function and simplicity when the group ride is balanced and in harmony.

I remember well the first time I grabbed someone’s jersey pocket as they surged on an “epic” attack on a new group ride that I had just started. They were shocked at the confrontation; perhaps I may have let out a few expletives and questioned their “parenthood” but they were absolutely furious with me. At the time I did not care and I invited them to not come back to our group ride to which they suggested violence would be forthcoming. I guess they were surprised that I was perfectly willing to stop and accept their offer, but I digress.

Here I was in a complete vacuum fresh “off the boat” from Ireland and was confused about the urges to race on group rides. I however was resolute that our group ride would not be like that! I continued to be confrontational and abrasive in a quasi charming Irish way and eventually everyone behaved and thrived in the more structured environment. At this point I still had not really done other group rides yet, boy was I in for a surprise. My first local group ride was a mixture of a Roman amphitheatre chariot race and a go cart derby for 16 year olds. I felt a sudden half second pang of guilt for busting everyone’s chops about their horrendous road manners.

In all my years of racing and riding with elite and world class riders I never saw a sprint or attack on a group ride, never! We did practice echelons, leadouts and group intervals but I never witnessed the complete madness that is normal on group rides in the US. My fondest memories of group rides are from Italy riding in Tuscany with my dear friend Danilo Saletti, everyone resplendent in perfect kits and immaculate bikes. The etiquette and skill level on the group ride was like a finely choreographed ballet. The 12 year olds and 60 years olds were at the back just rolling along with perhaps 5mm to spare on the riders wheel in front of them and up front elite athletes and pros would roll along effortlessly taking occasional detours for harder efforts and suddenly reappearing on the front to continue dragging us along the azure framed coastal roads.

When I began riding, I remember an old weathered cycling club member threatening to give me a beating if I let a gap open up again in the group ride. I learned quickly how to behave on a group ride and that good etiquette and road manners are a very important skill. The FASTER group rides will not include angry reprimands for etiquette infringements but we will foster a group riding culture that values the simplicity and beauty of a well organized group ride. We will practice road skills and be courteous to other road users. We will help new cyclists develop and learn these skills to enjoy their riding more. We might appear to be grumpy from time to time but it is a nice grumpy so we all keep it rubber side down!

FASTER GROUP RIDE GUIDELINES

No surging or attacks – this is a friendly organized group ride not a RACE

FASTER group rides obey the rules of the road

Call out obstacles and road imperfections as a courtesy to other riders

Listen to group ride leader instructions

Regroup as directed

FASTER group rides stop for flats

Please be self sufficient with water, food and tubes/inflation

Thanks for reading, Paraic.