Paceline riding can be fun and exciting as it allows you to collectively as a group go much faster and further than not pacelining.  It is however analogous to cars tailgating and therfore inherently more dangerous.  With that in mind there are things we can do to mitigate the danger.  When riding in a close paceline riders should not be fatigued as to cause poor judgement and impaired abilities.  Riders rotating the front position should not over extend their stay up front causing exhaustion; riders should come off early.  The person you are following should be riding smoothly, maintaining a line, and alerting to obstructions ahead.  If you are in the front position flick the elbow to indicate you are coming off and the direction you intend to go; slowing only when you are clearly off and being passed.  When you follow you should always stay a distance that you feel comfortable with (meaning you have time to react) and to the side.

Idealy there should be no suprises, and although each rider relies on the one in front to be a smooth consistent rider, each rider is responsible to be in control of their bike at all times and be able to avoid other bikes and obstructions. We should always ride with an escape plan if something goes wrong, and consequently leave an opening for other riders should they need a bail out.  Riding at 20+MPH things happen fast and we need to be sharp and be thinking at all times.  We all have days where we are not up to it and those days we need to know better and sit it out so we can ride another day with our friends.  Accidents are accidents and they happen fast, let's make our rides as safe as we can for all. Have a fun and safe riding season all.

Regards,

Dan Rostrup