Saturday’s ride 26t^h November

VELO Bicycles can now offer EZI-PAY, Check instore for more details!

What is Certegy Ezi-Pay Express?

Certegy Ezi-Pay Express, Australia’s favourite retail payment plan is a “revolving credit account” that allows you to purchase goods or services today, by paying an initial deposit, with the remaining balance conveniently direct debited. The application is simple with no invasive questions and fast approval times.
Best of all, there is NO INTEREST EVER!

INQUIRE NOW INSTORE FOR XMAS!

*Certegy Ezi-Pay Express is a continuing credit payment plan provided by Certegy Ezi-Pay Pty Ltd
(ABN 28 129 228 986). A once off establishment fee between $35 and $90 to activate your account is payable with your first purchase under the plan. Applicable is a payment processing fee of $2.80 and a monthly account keeping fee $2.90. Other fees and charges may apply. See in store for terms and conditions. For Certegy Ezi-Pay Express No Interest Ever! applies

 Booking are essential with ride leader: Andy Budgen

Any questions please call 0415917949 or email andy@pursuept.com.au

BICYCLE MECHANIC WANTED

Join our team!

Here's your chance to join our team at VELO Bicycles as a Full Time Bicycle Mechanic. The successful applicant must possess a positive attitude as well as having the ability for work unsupervised.

Selling skills are also important and exposure to a sales environment would be an advantage. You should have experience and skills necessary to maintain a fast paced working environment through servicing, building and repairing bicycles and possess knowlegde in technical aspects for servicing high end road bikes.

Please send your CV to - info@velo.net.au

Bunch riding rules & etiquette

Riding in a bunch can be the most enjoyable experience if done in the right way. However, bunch riding can also be very dangerous if people in the group don't understand the rules. All riders need to know these rules for everyone's safety.

Be predictable

Avoid sudden braking and changes of direction. Try to maintain a steady straight line. Remember that there are riders following closely behind. If you find yourself running too close to the rider in front of you - before going for the brakes gradually move out into the wind and slot back into position in the bunch. Another good technique is soft pedaling meaning you still turn the pedals over with slightly less pressure. That way you don't find yourself running up on the wheel in front all the time. By putting your hands on the hoods on your brakes you can "sit up" and put more of your body in the wind to slow down slightly without using your brakes.

Brake carefully

Ride safely and try to stay off the brakes. If you are inexperienced and too nervous to ride close to the wheel in front of you, stay alone at the back and practice. When the pace eases, don't brake suddenly, instead ride to the side of the wheel in front and ease the pedaling off, (soft pedal) then drop back on the wheel. Or if you have to brake - ease the brake on gently. Practice on the back and soon you will be able to move up the line with a partner.

Rolling through - swapping off - taking a turn

The most common way to take a turn on the front of the group is for each pair to stay together until they get to the front. After having a turn on the front (generally about the same amount of time as everyone else is taking), the pair separates and moves to each side, allowing the riders behind to come through to the front. To get to the back, stop pedaling for a while to slow down, keep an eye out for the end of the bunch and fall back into line there. It is safer for everyone if you get to the back as quickly as possible as the group is effectively riding four-abreast until you and your partner slot in at the back of the bunch.

Another method when bunch riding of rotating the front riders without being more then 2 riders wide at all times is to:

Front right hand rider moves forward to take the head of the left line, moving that row back, while the line he came out of (right) move forward to meet him and the head of the line is reformed. At the back the last rider in the left side moves to the right bring the lines even again. In other words an anti-clockwise motion of the entire group (done slowly). Turn length at the front can be the same time/distance, but is over both left & right side. The real benefit is you are never wider then 2 riders wide, which is especially useful on a single carriageway.

Be smooth with turns at the front of the group

Avoid surges unless you are trying to break away from the group. Surges cause gaps further back in the bunch which in turn create a "rubber band" effect as riders at the back have to continually chase to stay with the bunch.

No half wheeling

When you finally make it to the front, don't 'half wheel'. This means keeping half a wheel in front of your partner. This automatically makes your partner speed up slightly to pull back along side you. Often half wheelers will also speed up, so the pace of the bunch invariably speeds up as the riders behind try to catch up. This is the very annoying and is usually somebody who is a bit nervous, excited or inexperienced and who is competing with the rider next to him/her instead of riding with them.

If you are second wheel I would advise to stay paired up perfectly & let the first riders ride unevenly. If you have asked the leading riders to pair up properly & they continue to half wheel each other at least this way the rest of the group behind won't be affected.

Just remember when you are second wheel to make sure you know the general speed of the bunch so that when you go to the front you can keep your speed around the same, and keep your wheels and handlebars in line with the person next to you.

Choosing when to come off the front

You and your partner need to do some planning when you get on the front so that when you roll through you come off at a place where the road is wide enough for the group to be four-wide for a short time. With some planning, it is often possible to come off the front a few hundred metres earlier or later to avoid a dangerous situation and avoid unnecessarily upsetting motorists.

Always retire to the back of the bunch

If riders push in somewhere in the middle of the bunch rather than retiring to the back after taking a turn, cyclists at the back will not be able to move forward and take a turn of their own. If you're in a group that has some struggling riders they may ask you to jump in front of them as they don't want to do a turn. Otherwise go to the back & let everyone have a chance at getting to the front. Remember that riding in a bunch is about all riders sharing the workload.

Pedal downhill

Pedal downhill when at the front of the bunch. Cyclists dislike having to ride on the brakes. If it's a steep descent with many corners you may not be able to negotiate the corners riding paired up so give each other room & descend safely.

Point out hazards

Point out hazards such as loose gravel, broken glass, holes, rocks or debris on the road. Calling out "hole" etc as well as pointing is helpful in case someone is not looking at your hand when you point. It is just as important to pass the message on, not just letting those close to the front know.

Remember when calling hazards make sure your tone of voice changes depending on how dangerous the situation is. If it's a walker jumping out in front of the bunch yell loudly for example.

Another hazard is a parked car - call out "car" and sweep your hand around your back to let people behind know. Point out runners or walkers on bike tracks and slower bikes if you are passing someone on the road.

Hold your wheel

An appropriate gap between your front wheel and the person in front is around 50cm. Keep your hands close to the brakes in case of sudden slowing either on the brake hoods or on the drops. Sometimes people who are not used to riding in a bunch will feel too nervous at this close range - riding on the right side is generally less nerve-racking for such people as they feel less hemmed in. Watching "through" the wheel in front of you to one or two riders ahead will help you hold a smooth, straight line.

Don't leave gaps when following wheels

Maximise your energy savings by staying close to the rider in front. Cyclists save about 30 per cent of their energy at high speed by following a wheel. Each time you leave a gap you are forcing yourself to ride alone to bridge it. Also, riders behind you will become annoyed and ride around you. If you are in the bunch and there is no one beside the person in front of you, you should move into that gap (otherwise you will be getting less windbreak than everyone else). Conversely, if you are that person and no-one moves into that gap beside you, you should move to the back of the bunch, the next pair to roll off will come back and one of those riders will fall in beside you.

Don't overlap wheels

A slight direction change or gust of wind could easily cause you to touch wheels with the rider in front and fall.

Do not panic if you touch shoulders, hands or bars with another rider

Try to stay relaxed in your upper body to absorb any bumps. This is a part of riding in close bunches and is quite safe provided riders do not panic, brake or change direction try to keep pedaling.

Don't stall getting out of the saddle

The sensation of the rider in front coming back at you is unpleasant and can cause crashes. Try to keep forward pressure on the pedals when you get out of the saddle to avoid this situation.

Just to explain - so you want to get out of the saddle to give your butt a rest or just use different muscle groups :

1. Firstly while following the wheel in front just move to the side a little so that when you do get out of the saddle you don't run into it.

2. Secondly click into a gear harder that way when you do get out of the saddle you won't spin too much & go backwards.

3. Thirdly you should pull yourself forward on the handlebars (holding onto the brake hoods of course) as you lift yourself off the saddle making sure you have one leg ready to push down on either crank arm of the pedal that way keeping your motion moving forward & not dropping back & causing problems for the rider directly behind you.

4. Then once you sit back down click it to an easier gear again & settle in behind the rider's wheel in front.

When climbing hills, avoid following a wheel too closely

Many riders often lose their momentum when rising out of the saddle on a hill which can cause a sudden deceleration. This can often catch a rider who is following too closely, resulting in a fall from a wheel touch.

Look ahead

Do not become obsessed with the rear wheel directly in front of you. Try to focus four or five riders up the line so that any 'problem' will not suddenly affect you. Scan the road ahead for potential problems, red lights etc, and be ready.

Obey the road rules

Especially at traffic lights - if you are on the front, and the lights turn orange, they will definitely be red by the time the back of the group goes through the intersection. You will endanger the lives of others if you run it.

Lead from the front

Remember when you are on the front, you are not only responsible for yourself but everyone in the group. When you are leading the bunch, try to monitor potential problems and give plenty of warning of impending stops or changes of pace. Make sure you know where you are going.

Stay together

When riding with a partner in a line of twos, stay close. Don't ride too far away from your partner because the wheel in front of you intimidates you. The gap you've left between you and your partner is a waste of space and to a motorist behind, it appears that you are three wide. This is a good way to upset motorists.

Use the entire lane

If you are travelling on a multi-lane road, it is permitted and often best practice to actually take the left lane. This effectively means that traffic does not squeeze past, but actually changes lanes to pass; giving everyone plenty of room.

Don't use your aero bars in a bunch ride

Never use your aero bars in a bunch ride - not even if you are at the front. Using aero bars means that your hands are away from the brakes. Aero bars are for time trial or non-draft triathlon use only.

Ride leaders or Ride Captains

Organized bunch rides are normally have a ride leader or captain who will lead each group and dictate the pace and ensure the bunch stays together and regroups at set points and after long climbs. It is also important that the designated leader outlines re-group, stop and go-slow/go-fast points before the commencement of the ride or during.

The ride leader will also ensure that riders take turns at the front and that stronger riders shoulder more responsibility at the front of the group. If a rider is struggling with the pace of the ride the ride leader may provide directions to enable them to finish the ride or be picked up by the slower group.

Riding in a bunch is about everyone's safety

There are benefits with bunch riding; the social aspect makes long rides more fun, the sharing of work into the wind, the development of group riding skills that are essential for racing and endurance rides, and the sheer pleasure of riding with your friends & riding safely in bunches is also reliant on all riders of the group adhering to accepted road rules and correct cycling etiquette. The consequences of not adhering to these rules can also have disastrous outcomes.

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