Skill needed in a group ride

1. trackstand

A 3-5 second trackstand capability is very much needed if you ever forgot to unclip your shoes when stopping.
It looks cool also but it needs alot of practice. To hone this skill, try circling around on your bike maybe in a lobby or inside your room.
Circle the smallest circle and slowest speed that you can do. Further improve by circling smaller and slower.

2. emergency unclipping of you shoes.

Riding with a group poses a crash risk when the rider in front or several riders in front crashes.
It should be natural for you to unclip your shoes (which is sideways) in case of emergency.
I practiced this one when I bought my first clipless pedal 3 years ago on the parking lot and riding straight into a wall.
I required myself to be able to brake and and unclip both of my shoes and use them as extra brake b4 I hit the wall.

3. maneuvering

Some riders are natural in maneuvering and bikehandling that they can evade obstacles or obstructions in the last minute.
Unless you have an obstacle course to practice at, I think riding with a big group will naturally hone this skill.

4. body bumping

This one in unavoidable sometimes when riding with a group, especially an aggressive group.
Technique is not to panic and stay your bike upright.
You would need a partner to practice this one starting at a slow speed and/or in a grassy spot.

5. front wheel touch

Same as of #3, this one is sometimes unavoidable. Technique also is not to panic and stay your bike upright.
You would need a partner to practice this one starting at a slow speed and/or in a grassy spot.
I practice this one on my wife's bike when she's riding.
I try to get the feeling of my front wheel when it touches until it becomes sumhow natural.
I don't try to do it with my cycling friendsheeps for they might get startled I may end up with a puffy black eye.

6. stronger torso

A stronger torso by doing specific exercises will help you stay your bike upright incase you need to do it.
A stronger torso will also give you maximum power transfer of you pedalling
What's the use of a stiff bike when your body is swaying when pedalling?
This one can be observed when pedalling in your threshold maybe during a timetrial.

7. bunny hop

Riding in a group will cause you to see obstacles at the minute especially when not warned by the riders on front.
If you think your bike can handle the obstacle (e.g. small pothole,small stuff and etc)
then just stiffen yourself on the bike and ride through it while praying that you do not get a pinchflat.
If the obstacle is very big (road excavation) then all you can do is pray.
If the obstacle is a manageable then you can do a small bunny hop over it.
bunny hop - jumping your bike with two wheels lifting at the same time and landing both at the same time.
The height of the bunny hop should be in proportion to the manageable obstacle.
So as not to break you spoke or wheel or skewer and lose speed(the rider behind may touch your wheel).
Also do not forget to shout out for the obstacle to give the rider behind you a heads up.

8. crash gracefully

Actually I do not know how to crash gracefully. I always end up with lots of wounds, swelling and get sore afterwards.
I just always protect my neck and allow my hips and shoulders to take the impact.
I know the risk of breaking my collarbone so i do some cross-training activities to toughen my shoulder.

9. guage your capabilities

You should know you capabilities and know which group ride you can join comfortably and still gain fitness.
If you ride on a group w/c is fast for you and you are at your limit w/ tongue lapping out,
you won't be able to perform properly any of the items above.

-----

The skills above will not guarantee a 100% safe group ride.
They seem logical and for you to do a leap of faith in practising some of them.

Gabby... practice tayo nito oh... gamit ko ung isa kong mark cavendish bike....

curious lang. Anong cross-training ang ginagawa mo to strengthen your shoulders?

Proud2bpinoy wrote:curious lang. Anong cross-training ang ginagawa mo to strengthen your shoulders?

magbubuhat ka ng cross at iikot sa herusalem


seriously, weights, tennis, mtb, badminton pwede

kumagako wrote:

Proud2bpinoy wrote:curious lang. Anong cross-training ang ginagawa mo to strengthen your shoulders?

magbubuhat ka ng cross at iikot sa herusalem


seriously, weights, tennis, mtb, badminton pwede

Ayos...O sige. Kailan tayo magtetennis?

Proud2bpinoy wrote:

kumagako wrote:

Proud2bpinoy wrote:curious lang. Anong cross-training ang ginagawa mo to strengthen your shoulders?

magbubuhat ka ng cross at iikot sa herusalem


seriously, weights, tennis, mtb, badminton pwede

Ayos...O sige. Kailan tayo magtetennis?

pennis pala yun at i tennis

kumagako wrote:

Proud2bpinoy wrote:

kumagako wrote:

Proud2bpinoy wrote:curious lang. Anong cross-training ang ginagawa mo to strengthen your shoulders?

magbubuhat ka ng cross at iikot sa herusalem


seriously, weights, tennis, mtb, badminton pwede

Ayos...O sige. Kailan tayo magtetennis?

pennis pala yun at i tennis

Si Gabs ang expert dyan sa pennis

dre the cheapest is to do pushups ... di ung kalokohan na pushup ha...

tapos sabay crunches... ayos!

Nestle crunches? eh pampataba iyan eh.