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Here's a quick reminder about our training pace line rides and what it means to follow our guidelines when training out with us and other riders at Sydney Olympic Park (SOP)During our training pace line rides at SOP, all riders should be tolerant, responsible riders and be willing to help educate other users within the group in a friendly manner. Being the fastest or the fittest does not mean you are the King of the Road or these simple guidelines would not apply. There are currently 6 training groups. Each group should cater for a maximum of 20 to 25 riders and no more. If a group gets to more than the maximum, then we will ask that this be broken up into another group. Everyone is responsible for the safety of the group. There are some basic rules and training etiquette of group rides that everyone should be aware of when training in a group.
//GENERAL GUIDELINES// - Everyone wants to get home from a training ride in one piece, we are all here for training. If this doesn’t suit you, perhaps find another group.
- Ensure you have a safe and functioning bike. A well-maintained bike is a safe bike.
- If you are new to the group, introduce yourself to the training leader.
- We highly encourage riders hold a valid Australian Cycling license to attend an organised training ride.
- Obey the rules of the road. Always.
- Training rides leave at the nominated start time - 6am.
- Ride in a predictable and constant manner. Remember your actions impact everyone in the training group.
- Ensure you have a functioning front and rear light for riding in periods of darkness and low light. When riding in the peloton, please change your light setting to constant to assist riders riding behind you. No one wants to be blinded by a flashing light.
- Be self-sufficient. Have a spare tube, water, food and correct clothing.
- Point out obstacles
- Hold your line, especially around corners.
- Repeat calls and hand signals. It is often best to relay all signals by hand.
- Leave the right distance to the riders in front. Roughly more than 50cm but less than a 1m between wheels. This is to leave some space for reaction times, but also not to have gaps bigger than 1m which will reduce the drafting benefit and cause the group to splinter. Never, ever, overlap wheels with the rider in front. If they change direction, that can cause a crash.
- Remember that you are responsible for your front wheel. - Look forward at all times. You should not focus on the rear of the wheel of the rider in front but rather the person and the riders in front of them. By focusing on the person and the riders in front of them you will be more aware of what is happening in the bunch and give yourself more reaction time should there be an issue.
- Always be ready to brake, so in a peloton the best place for your hands is on your hoods. This means NO AERO BARS in any of our group training rides.
- When riding in pairs, ride along side the person next to you. Handlebar to handlebar. Do not ‘half-wheel’ – this means always riding just in front of the person next to you.
- Do your best to keep the group together. Call to “EASE UP” if you notice the group splitting or you’re struggling to maintain the pace (on group rides where this applies).
- Minimise braking, and always call out to the group when doing so.
- Skilled riders should be aware of less experienced riders in the bunch. For example, do not ‘bunny hop’ an obstacle. You may avoid a problem but you may lead others into one.
- Stopping too abruptly is dangerous and may cause an accident behind.
- Do not ‘filter’ to the front of a line of stationary traffic. Keep the training group together and hold the lane.
- Approach all junctions where we do not have right of way by easing up and be ready to stop. This includes roundabouts and traffic lights that may change. The training group may need to split if it’s a choice between this and a potential accident. Every rider must take responsibility. Just because the riders in front of you have rolled through, it does not necessarily mean it is safe for you to do so.
//PACE LINES TRAINING FORMATION//
- The front-right rider will ease very slightly, and the front-left rider will pull over to the right and take over front-right position. The rider that was second in line on the left pulls up to take over front-left position.
- The rider coming through DOES NOT increase the pace or SURGE. By doing this, it will only cause the other riders to bridge the gap and potentially blow up with no fuel in the tank left. Remember, it's not a race, we are here to train!
- Each rider’s turn at the front depends on how comfortable they are in holding the pace. On our fast group training rides, the turns are only 20-30 metres long. See image attached to this post for more information - The image is for illustrative purposes only.
- Help less experienced riders to learn group training techniques and calls. We all were that new rider once. Remember, this is not a race! We are here to train, but keep your ego in check and your brain switched on. Training rides aren’t races, we provide plenty of opportunities to pin on a number and race. If someone is behaving inappropriately, call it out. It doesn’t matter if they are faster than you, on a better bike or seem more popular – their actions can impact us all. We all enjoy riding our bikes, so observe these guidelines and everyone’s enjoyment will increase. LACC would like to recognise and thank Manly Manly Warringah Cycling Club for allowing our club to republish the excellent guide lines above. Join the conversation @ #lacc_syd #stayingtrue Ashfield Cycles DOOLEYS Lidcombe Catholic Club Peter Warren SKODA
This is LACC's time honoured morning pace line training. All riders attending for the first time should ride in last group to learn the course even if you are a strong rider.
Total laps of SOP, 5.
Approximate speeds for each group.
Group 1 average speed 42kph+
Group 2 average speed 39kph+
Group 3 average speed 40kph for 2 laps then the reset at 36kph
Group 4 average 36kph
Group 5 someone in the group will tell you to slow down if you are going to fast.
Group 6 someone in the group will tell you to slow down if you are going to fast
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Olympic Park railway station, Sydney, Olympic Park Station, Dawn Fraser Ave, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127, Australia,Sydney, Australia, Lidcombe