Riding Food for Thought Part Two

[Bruce Taylor]

Some more Riding thoughts Part Two:

Is the cycling group ride dead???

There was a time when group rides weren’t just about speed or Strava segments and KOM’s...

They were about belonging, mentorship, fitness, riding skills, safety and learning the unwritten rules that transformed a bunch of riders into a cohesive peloton both is maturity and perfected enjoyable skills. 

A well oiled Bio-Mechanical body, Efficient, Smooth with Safe Deliberate actions that over time will increase confidence, skill and speed that comes as result of these simple principles and practices..

Practice makes Perfect??? No “PERFECT" Practice makes Perfect…

Today, that tradition is clearly fading. Too often, group rides feel chaotic—like a race, not a shared experience.

In the past, experienced riders would pass down their knowledge, teaching newer cyclists the art of holding a steady line, rotating smoothly, and reading subtle signals, commincating danger in a timely manner.

It was about creating a safe, respectful environment where every rider contributed to the group’s rhythm.

The ride was a school, and the goal was to be part of a collective, not the strongest individual.

But now, I see less mentorship and more riders focused solely on performance. The result? A breakdown in group etiquette—overlapping wheels, inconsistent pacing, endless shouts of “hole!” for minor bumps, failure to call out road hazards, changing lines, abruptly almost coming to a stop, shifting gears at the wrong time at the beginning to climb out of the saddle which causes gaps that leave half the group sprinting to catch up, and sadly many preventable crashes have occurred.

If you’re an experienced rider and practice these simple rules, guidance, consider taking on a mentorship role no matter what fitness level you are.

I know that there are some that profess to know everything there is to know about Cycling because they read about it in Cycling Magazine…or watch the Tour the France every year…LOL

Take a moment to Ride next to someone new, pass down those core skills, and show that cycling is about community as much as competition.

Let’s revive the tradition of group riding as a place to learn and grow, not just to flex fitness or ego.

Next time you’re on a group ride, remember: the goal isn’t to prove you’re the fastest but to ride with skill, respect, and teamwork.

I hope we all can see this not as criticism but a pathway to grow as a group and promote cycling for all as a safe and enjoyable experience that I have personally enjoyed since my first competitive ride in 1974…Someone cared and spent the time helping me to grow..This can be accomplished at all skill levels and fitness. Pair up with someone at the same skill and fitness level as you, And be All You Can Be!! 

Most importantly do it Safely!!!

Peace!

[Santiago Miro]

Great message Bruce

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 17, 2025, at 10:01, 'Bruce Taylor' via Winchester Wheelmen <whee...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Winchester Wheelmen" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to wheelmen+u...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/wheelmen/67274760-E72E-4127-B481-090DAB59729C%40yahoo.com.

[Andrea Cosans]

Great message Bruce. I have been mentored by many members of this group and are very grateful. I have also seen this emphasis placed on mentoring in the last couple of years. I would love to see more of it at all levels

Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/wheelmen/C2DD5E7B-4EE8-41F9-8151-936B6BDF33A9%40yahoo.ca.

[Scott Carlson]

Thanks Bruce. As a fairly new participant in road cycling, I appreciate every word of this article. I want to continue to improve in my cycling journey. In my opinion, this is only advanced by the experience and advice of those who are willing to share their experience with those with less experience. This is essential to advance the group riding experience.

Scott Carlson 

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 17, 2025, at 3:35 PM, 'Andrea Cosans' via Winchester Wheelmen <whee...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Great message Bruce. I have been mentored by many members of this group and are very grateful. I have also seen this emphasis placed on mentoring in the last couple of years. I would love to see more of it at all levels

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/wheelmen/1574403573.9213879.1763411741605%40mail.yahoo.com.

[Niki Adhikusuma]

perfectly said Bruce, i missed those learning rides. I remember Mike Perry intentionally rode behind me on Cedar Creek uphill climb, step by step he instructed me what to do on my gearing... and finally made it to the top hill without struggles. Thank you Mike for your coaching.

Niki