The first time I rode in a group, nobody told me about hand signals. I nearly ran into a pothole that the rider in front of me casually swerved around — no warning, no point, nothing. I hit it, flatted, and spent the rest of the ride feeling like an idiot. Turns out I was the idiot for not knowing the signals, but the group was also not great about using them consistently.
Here’s the communication system that actually keeps people upright in a pack.
Hand Signals That Everyone Should Know
Point down at the road — either side — to flag a hazard. Pothole, glass, gravel, dead animal, whatever. The rider behind you can’t see the road surface until they’re on top of it, so your pointing is their only warning. Point early enough that they have time to react.
Hand up, palm flat means slowing or stopping. This is the single most important signal in group riding. When the lead rider brakes without signaling, it creates an accordion effect that can take down riders four or five positions back. Always signal before you brake.
Arm extended left or right indicates a turn. Same as driving a car without turn signals — obvious once you know it, invisible if nobody taught you.
Verbal Calls That Fill the Gaps
Hand signals can’t describe everything. That’s where voice comes in:
“Car back” — vehicle approaching from behind. Everyone tightens up single file. “Car up” — vehicle ahead, oncoming. “Hole” or “gravel” — specific hazard that a point-down might not communicate clearly enough. “Slowing” — about to reduce speed. “Stopping” — about to stop entirely. “On your left” — I’m passing you, don’t drift left.
Be loud enough to be heard over wind and traffic. A mumbled “car back” that only the rider directly ahead of you hears doesn’t help the group.
Riding in the Pack
Three rules that prevent most group riding crashes:
Hold your line. Don’t swerve, don’t drift, don’t make sudden lateral moves. The rider behind you is inches from your wheel and trusting you to be predictable. If you need to avoid something, point at it and move around it gradually.
Don’t overlap wheels. If your front wheel is beside or behind the rear wheel of the rider ahead, any sideways movement from them takes you down. Ride directly behind their wheel or clearly beside them — never in between.
Look past the rider in front of you. Watch two or three riders ahead for brake lights, signals, and changes in pace. If you only watch the wheel directly in front of you, you have zero time to react when something happens.
Group riding is a skill that develops with practice. If you’re new to it, ride with experienced people who’ll coach you through the basics. Most cycling clubs have beginner-friendly group rides for exactly this purpose — take advantage of them before you try to hang with the fast group.
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