pacelines - courtesy of reelwheels

Pacelining is an excellent way to reduce energy expenditure and move faster.  Pacelines can save anywhere from 25 – 35% of total expended energy versus riding solo, and often increase overall speed by 2 – 3 mph or more.  During a century ride that represents both a big savings and a big gain, especially when you think of just how comfortable bike seats are!

Unfortunately, pacelines can also be dangerous.  Unfavorable road conditions, rainy weather, or mechanical difficulties can adversely impact your ability to build a good paceline.

Fortunately, practice makes perfect. Pacelines can not only make you look like an efficient pro in no time, but they’re fun, too!  Let’s talk about some of the key elements you should be aware of when launching into pacelining.

Short and sweet, a paceline is made up of two or more riders looking to cut through the wind and move faster.  Riders flow in tandem, one behind the other, with the lead rider “pulling” the others by aerodynamically blocking much of the wind for those behind.  Each rider takes their turn at the front before pulling to the left and allowing the next rider to assume the lead.

A strong paceline can look a lot like the tread of a tank.  As each rider takes their turn at the front, then peels to the left and floats to the back, they’ll eventually work back to the front and lead the group once again!

So you’re in the parking lot, all ready to go, wondering how to create a professional paceline, aren’t you?  Well, contrary to popular belief, it’s actually easier done than said!

At the start, determine collectively how fast the group should go, and how long each person should stay at the front.  Pull away from the start slowly, gradually working up to the right speed.  Pulling away too quickly can result in an accordion-like effect with members struggling to find the right pace. As a result, large spaces can open between riders, creating gaps and diminishing the effectiveness of the line.  When this happens, pack riders must call out “GAP!” so that the leader can slow and allow the team to rejoin the line.

As with any new technique, take the time to learn how your teammates ride and pace themselves.  It’s best to start about a bike length apart, and as you build your confidence, that space will close on its own.  Optimal riding is about 1' – 2' between their back wheel and your front wheel.

As you take the front of the line, you don’t need to stay long.  Leaders should stay for no longer than 30 seconds to 1 minute, depending on how safe the roadway is.  Extended pulls can result in fatigue, decreasing the efficiency of the line. 

Here’s a good illustration: a group of 10 riders, each pulling for 30 seconds at the front of a line moving at 15mph during a 100-mile ride, will produce the following stats:

• The entire team will ride for nearly 6 hours and 40 minutes, meaning…

• Each rider will pull a total of 80 times, meaning…

• Each rider will pull for a total of about 40 minutes, meaning…

• Each rider will lead for approximately 10 miles!

When you’re amongst the pack, it’s important not to fix your eyes solely on the wheel ahead of you, or you may miss potential hazards ahead.  Practice looking 20 – 30 feet ahead regularly and be aware of what’s coming. 

When climbing or descending, the line will have a tendency to stretch. That’s natural. Some people have strong abilities to climb or descend. On descents, spread out by at least a bike length, as accident severity only amplifies the faster you go. When you get to the nearest flat stretch, reconvene and build the line again.

Because riders flow closely in tandem, leaders see most of the oncoming obstacles, hazards, or bike-eating dogs!  As a result, it’s critical for leaders to call out or use hand signals well in advance.  Every teammate should then repeat what was called out or signaled so that those behind can take action.  When taking action, concentrate on being predictable by making slow, gradual moves.

Those first few times at the front will be filled with adrenaline, so relax and take deep breaths.  Don’t reach for that water bottle or energy bar.  You should be solely focused on the pace speed and safety of the line.  Take a swig or bite only after you’ve left the front.

If you get too close to the rider in front while in the pack, try stepping out of the line just a bit to catch some extra air resistance, thus allowing you to slow down gently. You can also break gently while calling out “slowing!” 

Avoid overlapping your wheel with the one ahead of you.  If the person ahead decides to take action, their rear wheel may collide with yours, and you could go down!

If your bike has aero bars, don’t use them while in the pack.  They serve little purpose in a paceline since the person in front of you is already blocking the wind. It’s also much harder to maneuver in case of an emergency.

A good paceline takes practice, patience, and trust. Fortunately, you’ve got plenty of miles to get it right.

Practice looking ahead early and often. As the leader, the general rule of thumb is that if you didn’t call out an obstacle, others didn’t know it was coming.

Exercising patience today will make it much easier when the big event arrives.  You’ll be joining thousands of other riders, each with their own pace and ride style, which you may find challenging in the early going. Patience is the key here. Remember that there are plenty of open spaces ahead to build your paceline. 

As you work together, concentrate on building trust within your team. Lots of twitching, quick stops, and unpredictable movement can adversely impact folks behind you.  Instead, be aware of those movements, and focus on making gradual, predictable moves.  Help incent your teammates to build a well-oiled paceline machine

Reel Wheels was created through the University of Washington Extension Project Management program. Team Members: Thomas Trombley, David Mansisidor, Alexis Rowell, Michael Gutmann, Shalu Batra & Laszlo Kismarton. Contact: thomastrombley@comcast.net  Cinematographer: Matthew Clark www.str8films.com  Editor: Dan Larson www.roameditorial.com  Volunteer riders: Steve Mellor, Steve Cunningham, Heather Simpson, Jason Yunker & Brad Cowles.