BUNCH RIDING INFORMATION
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Riding in a bunch can be a very enjoyable experience if done correctly. The advantage of riding as a bunch or peleton (French word for an organised group of riders) is that as an organised group you can ride further and faster than individual riders or a non-organised group. You will expend, in some cases up to 30 per cent less energy by riding sheltered in a bunch, as riders in front of you overcome the wind resistance. By taking turns at the front, all riders can share the effort and longer distances can be covered.
NCCC will use both a single and double pace line during our bunch rides and the following sets out our pace line rotation policy and key bunch riding information. Also below are some of the common hand signals and calls you will encounter whilst riding in our bunch.
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Single Pace Line
If riding in a single pace line we rotate in a circular motion from the outside in, but generally not continuously rotating. When it’s time to rotate the rider on the front will signal with a flick of the elbow on the side of the riders to come through that he wants the riders behind to pull through. The riders behind will pull out and pass smoothly on the outside (nearer the middle of the road) pulling in front when clear. The rider previously on the front backs off speed to allow the pace line to safely pass and slots in at the back of the bunch.
If you are tired or not confident enough to go to the front then sit at the back and let the other riders slot in ahead of you.

Double Pace Line
If riding in a double pace line we rotate in a circular motion from the outside in, but generally not continuously rotating. When it is time to rotate, the outside rider (nearer the middle of the road) indicates to the inside rider they are changing over. They then ride smoothly past the inside rider until they are a bike length in front and move across to the inside and slow back to the original pace. The rider who was behind them on the outside then moves up to be on the outside front, with everyone else on the outside line moving up a place.
If you are tired or not confident enough to go to the front then sit at the back and let the other riders slot in ahead of you.

• Remember when you are at the front of the bunch, you are not only responsible for yourself but everyone in the group.
• No Sudden Moves: Do not suddenly turn left, right, speed up or slow down, it is inefficient and dangerous.
• Pedal downhill when at the front of the bunch as the riders behind you in your shelter will be travelling faster than you and by keeping your speed up it will reduce the need for the other riders to be over braking.
• Keep your hands close to the brakes in case of a sudden slowing.
• Don’t leave gaps when following the wheel of the rider in front. Maximise your energy savings by staying close to the rider in front. An ideal gap between your front wheel and the person in front is around 50cm, but certainly no greater than one metre.
• Don’t overlap wheels. A slight change in direction or gust of wind could easily cause you to touch wheels with the rider in front which has the potential to cause an accident.

Common Calls
“Car Back” – Shouted to alert riders in front of an approaching car from the rear and to use caution.
“Stopping/Slowing” – Shouted to alert riders of the intention to stop or slow down.
“Clear” – When an intersection is safe to cross call out “Clear”. Never call out No as this can easily be confused with Go! CAUTION NOTE: A shout of ‘clear’ is never ever a justification for not checking and simply pulling out. It is every rider’s responsibility to ensure the road ahead is clear for them.
Common Hand Signals