Cycling is an inherently dangerous activity. Consequently all precautions of safety and consideration should be taken into consideration. Happy riding👍🏾

Free for alls and disregard for cars, other riders and everyone’s safety is literally THE definition of every super fast group ride, at least where I live.

Been cycling for about 3 or 4 years and never attended a group ride for fear of being dropped. I appreciate your advice. It’s definitely time I level up.

Exactly why I do not like group rides. Too many unspoken rules, that everybody is just "supposed to know" before showing up. This is very helpful for those who want to learn to go faster in a group. There are so many people who are put off by cyclists' attitudes, that they never enjoy our sport., but they should never be put off. There are all kinds, and you ride your your own reasons.

Excellent, excellent video, again!! Thank you Luis! You described several iterations of my cycling life in this video.. haha. From getting dropped, to B-rider trying to keep up with the A-group, to staying away from the rear of a large group...and so on. It's definitely not wise to stay at the back of a large A-group. The Yo-Yo affect is very real. I learned the hard way. Also, your advice about pulling off the front way before you're fatigued is right on point. I've been able to stay with faster riders by not trying to be a hero on the front. Nothing wrong with a 10-second pull. Always must have enough energy to get back on the rear. It's easy to gas out pulling too long and find yourself without enough energy to jump on the back. Next thing you know, you're dropped trying to impress people. I've also learned that a diligent use of energy can be vital when you're at say 90% and trying to hold on for the entire ride. Smooth, steady, seated accelerations instead of standing and making fast moves can save lots of energy. I've learned to sometimes close gaps slowly (not too slow) when needed. In addition, knowing when to ease off your effort can make a difference. For example, a 1 or 1.5% grade can be enough to get you dropped if you push too hard. If you are familiar with the route (which goes to the point of groups riding known, not random, routes) you stay near the front of the paceline at the start of a grade, then ease off, let a few wheels pass, then jump back in when the grade eases. That can help you stay with the group in some challenging situations.

I love that you are out there on a 23 year old bike like me standing ground. ❤

Luis this is so sad. A 75 yr old cyclist was killed this weekend in PA. I have had many good experiences with drivers and a few bad experiences with motorists. Love your video we are cyclist but also as you so eloquently stated sons daughters Dads Moms.

Thanks for this. I've been avoiding groups on my rides, perhaps I'll give it a go now

Enjoyed the video and impressed with the 25+ speeds. I ride in CT with Sound Cyclists. One big diff is for large groups we typically break up into smaller groups of 8-10 riders, mainly for safety due to the narrower roads.

Sound advice! I got some rollers in December. They definitely expose your weak points. A lot of people says there is not enough resistance with rollers, but from my limited experience, I find the resistance adequate for the purpose of improving your pedal stroke and technique.

rollers! the key to a good stroke! I am glad you touched on that! riding rollers since 1982, and yes I am smoooooooth! Go Luis!!

I often ride in the back. It's an excellent position to do some intervals, keep the group together, warn for upcoming traffic,... Either that or in the front, pulling the group. ps: 9:40 when moving up, stick to one's wheel (in your case, the rider on the left). Don't ride in between wheels. You're not leaving enough space for someone to your right while it's clear the group is still doing a double paceline.

For Those who Live in Santa Rosa the Livisgranfondo april 23 2023 windsor ,ca A Great Time on the Bike For All People. A Great Event .. A 5 Star Event in cycling for sure...... bill from Santa Rosa

Hi there brother. What I do is ride to the starting point. Never drive to the starting point. That's gives me the warm up I need. Also don't do the work. Let others do the work for you. That's what I do after a week or a month standing still. I sit on a wheel of those I know that can ride and those who are big. I use them as wall for me.. 🤣 After one or 2 weeks when I'm feeling better, I will go with the break away group..at least try to stay with them a few km's before dropping back to get caught by the others

Thank you sir, I started cycling about almost 2 months ago and got dropped in a group ride resulting in buying a new bike. I have learned a lot from you because I live in China and didn’t know any hand signs which happened during the ride. Your points on riding incognito is critically important because Chinese riders are super conscious on safety. You’re on the money about getting noticed and slowing down and speeding up during group rides. Lol your Bianchi bike also helped tremendously with your social credit, also the grey beard giving the old money established (silverback) appearance definitely helped your personal brand. Very classy and timeless video. I really appreciate it. You remind me of Kevin Samuels. I hope this reach you because I joined cycling because of the network it gives access to and with that comes etiquette.

Love the V3RS with rim brakes! They only had a V3 disc available in my country...

Being dropped was the best thing to ever happen to me. Because it's good for the ego. I ride with WOC here in Ohio. Thanks for the information this is my second year into cycling.

Dope video! Consider adding captions to the videos as well. Once again, terrific job!

GREAT VIDEO! Very educational!

Thanks Luis for sharing this informative and helpful video. I'm new to cycling and yes I got dropped a lot during my group ride! Your tips have given me so much confident to keep on practising and improving the bike handling skills.

20+ year veteran cyclist, excellent advice and presentation. Great content!

Another excellent vid. I’m a long time cyclists. It’s great to hear you talk about these thing. Also, bump drills! That’s a great idea!

Spot on Luis great points👍. Warm up in advance, be towards front to allow scope to slip slowly back if pace too much but maximising potential time in the group, establish what the group are doing and be realistic about your ‘on the day’ capabilities. Better to ride ‘a good technique’ and drop off to go again a little further the following week (100% every rider faces that when moving between group levels). Be steady keep your line, do a smooth turn, consistency / predictability valued far more highly in an experienced group ⭐. Great demo of how to do a measured turn in real time and stay in tune with the group - perfect showcase it’s all about riding smart. Nothing shows inexperience, lack of self control, (or over enthusiasm) more than that ever upward creep of pace as individual riders move through at ever increasing higher speeds to do a turn on the front. That ride looked like a pseudo race at times, 70 in the group, jockeying for position, having to guard wheels (nb: I appreciate you were not leading this Luis). But some definite no no’s for me. If some participants want to ‘race’ in a communal group ride then take it elsewhere like the Velopark track. Contrast ideal club ride size 8-12 max per group. Split larger groups by ability. Everybody gets a better experience and avoids serious safety issues by folk chancing it at junctions, traffic lights just to hang onto part of the group. In my experience it’s the one even some seasoned riders risk their necks on 😱 …….simply unnecessary. Finally, for those wanting to improve their skills you’ll learn faster and better in smaller groups of experienced riders. Technique first, speed later step by step increments after you’ve built decent bike handling and group ride skills. If that’s the usual South Florida is clearly very different 🤔 ? . The idea of having to actively ride protectively at undisciplined variable paces simply holds no fun appeal for me. Great vid Luis 👍 proper eye opener for some. Final thought in that lot I’d do exactly as you did positioning myself right towards the front……….simple matter of self preservation 😇

Rollers and track keep you focused- disciplined and inline

Excellent tips on group rides. I don't feel comfortable yet in a fast ride like you were in 23-25, but I appreciate your point on doing what you can and then dropping out, and come back next time. Thanks for your realism and understanding.

Luis, this is great! You hit on so many things I stress regardless of speed - don't be a showoff (fly under the radar), ride predictably (don't be that guy/gal), and maintain your form from mile 1 through x (pace yourself and ease into the ride).

LOL I am MR. Ugly on the bike but you kno what, I can tell you have alot of wisdom and let me tell you something, it's funny, when I played tournament paintball, they always told us to keep our composure and yet here I am again, re learning that lesson. KEEP composure

Huge fast group. Our club rides usually range 5-15 people, and paces range 13mph on up; most of our rides range 13-18mph. And most of your tips are good, not just for speed, but for group riding generally.

Getting dropped is routine for me. At my age, I no longer do large groups and rarely do double pace lines anymore. Even so, watching your videos is always helpful and informative. Most accidents are between cyclists, not cars. Choose wisely with whom you ride. When I don't feel safe, it's time to drop the group.

Those who Love Hills Try Haute Route You Ride in the same route that the pros do in the tour of france, You are timed and you get a medal if you finish it.

Bring your spares. Don’t rely on others to bail you out if you puncture. Great tips and great channel Luis! 👍

I'm an old guy and I stopped living up to others rules and expectations, I'm done proving to myself, and my capabilities to others so I became a solo rider. I can Sprint, Stop if needed or simply yield. All by myself.

Sir this clip was very insightful. I get invited a lot to ride with faster groups and I’m somewhat intimidated by their speed, but you tips you suggested in this clip will help me a lot with being a little more comfortable riding with the faster groups and not worrying about getting dropped. I guess the challenge for me will be knowing when to conserve my energy and positioning on the rides. Thanks 🙏

Love you vids - great advice and inspiration 👌 Some extra tips: 1. Learn to ride on drops and tops. 2. Be smooth and predictable. 3. Relax and look ahead. 4. Listen as well as look. 5. Show respect for all. 6. Match equipment & spares. 7. Know the route. 8. Enjoy (Type 1 & 2 fun)!

WE generally rode with the same folks,and whomever felt good, they pulled,NEVER sit in the back unless you're a seasoned rider watching the back of the whole group. rode a LOT of hills so that helps to thin the peloton and for me the miles are more important than making a name for yourself.This way,.by the time you can sit in the pack and enjoy the comfort.Are you talking about those free rollers with no rails? My coach had me try them in the hallway because they make you keep your line.and focus..yeah. Kreitlers I think...

This is an awesome video I enjoyed it a lot! Can't wait for it to warm a little more so people actually come out to ride again for the season. Everyone is still on their smart trainers haha

This was very helpful. Keep up the good work!

I like your last point when you're done you're done. I go as far as my 71 year old body can take me. People always ask me how far do I go? I just tell them between 2 to 4 hours and I am good.

This is such great advice and well done! This is a must watch for a wide range of cyclists.

Hooliganism😆 I love it. Accurate

Great content and you're an amazing ambassador for the sport! Thanks for sharing your passion and knowledge.

Three types of riders, those who will fall, those who have fallen and those who will fall again. The key is to survive the crash.

Great video again Luis! 👍. From my viewing point i found this group a bit nervous. Don't know how long the ride was. When i do group rides almost all rider knows the skills from the other contestant. We are very close together when riding. Sometimes we do 100 mls cycling about 22 miles average. For skills i think cyclocross or mountain biking helps during winter time. And nowadays gravelrides. I don't think that a smart trainer makes someone sloppy, i'm meaning pure for fitness inprovement. For HIIT, HIDIT its awesome. Looking forward to your next video.

Love your videos Luis have been very useful for me. You could make a video of the hand signs used in rides

Not the easy peasy lemon squeezee 😂😂. Great video. I learned the hard way to pull off before I get tired when taking a pull at the front.

We have quite a few concerns. Thanks for the awesome tips

new to the channel. loving it! great tips. i used to live in florida. i can feel the humidity through the screen!😊

Great video buddy! I live in Ny currently but I ride down in FL very often. Parts of your ride looked like Pembroke Pines/Weston area. I usually ride there on the wkends . Thanks for another great informative video.

man this video really has it all. that getting dropped thing took me and is still taking me a while. before coming to florida, I was pretty much not the guy getting dropped and YUP first group ride in FL, I got dropped bad and havn't been back since. the fucking ego got me but after watching this video. I am go back and stay in a little longer I think.

Thanks. Very good info and well presented 🎉

Great vid bro!!!

Great stuff! What was your wattage during these rides? Also could you talk about in a video how to improve FTP?

In Santa Rosa. The C Group in the Santa Rosa Group rides they do not wait for you at all, if you are lacking back.. You will be Dropped.... The D group... In Santa Rosa You Have to be In Great great shape... I Do my Own rides.... Alot more fun

Have you covered hand signals to the other riders? I heard you mention sticking your elbow out at one point. Great vid!

Don't flex. So many times a new guys will come out to the ride and try and flex at the wrong time, like just before we hit a spicy section. Then they get dropped because they're cooked right when we start things up.

Being in a group ride for first time can be intimidating and scary. I'm pretty lucky because I've ridden motorcycles for years, so I was pretty confident with my handling (and yet It's still scary being that fast and close with other riders in the group ride). But it's okay, as you keep practicing, and begin to trust your fellow, drafting is the only way to go. P.S: Being in a group ride doesn't mean you're just tagging along. While in a group ride you must act as a single organism with the other. Your safety means the whole group safety. So please stay safe and stay focus. Hope you guys have a nice ride wherever you are :)

e-motion rollers by inside ride have been best for me

👏👏

Another one is shouting standing when climbing so they know you are going to slow down. I find sometimes when people stop talking that's when accident happen because mystery potholes if people are talking you hear them go oof before hand

Hi Luis love your videos and knowledge. I live in Sunrise and have seen in your videos some rides on flamingo really close to me. When do you guys ride? Would love to join you.

Luis great videos. Just found you. Do you have videos on nutrition and how can I access them. Bunkie

Question sir I’ve been trying for 2 years now to find a bib set that has the most comfortable padding do you recommend any, I’m will to pay just need something that’s comfortable and not just expensive and the padding isn’t any good.

Just Ride

I'm 6'5 250lbs. It's hard for me not to get noticed. 🤣

Dunno if I should feel flattered or attacked 😂

I was wondering what was the gradient of the road you were on?

The most important thing in this video is that you were riding STEEL being real while everyone else is in expensive carbon fiber junk. 🤣

what was the bike that you were riding steel or carbon?

Excessive freewheeling?

Group rides are too stressful to me. Worrying about everyone else around you plus the typical mishaps the road can bring ruins my enjoyment of riding. The social part of cycling should be left for the coffee stops.

Why is freewheeling bad etiquette? Just wondering !?!?

And also don’t do what he is doing at 9:33 sitting in between two riders when it is two abreast. He has basically chopped the person to his right off.

Be warned there is a vast difference between a recreational ride by yourself or with a few friends... and a group ride. Paceline/group/peloton riding is extremely dangerous even when controlled and all riders are highly skilled. These rides are necessary if you wish to race, but just stupid if you are riding for fitness and health.

Dear Luis, I see a time trial or triathlon bike in your group ride? You're joking, right?

lol TT bike on the groupride???