If You're Not Moving Forwards, You're Moving Backwards!

Since my last post was on a more personal level, here's a real tip for the day:

You've probably been in a situation where some shifty bugger keeps stealing the wheel you were sitting comfortably behind. As this happens again and again the next thing you know you're at the back of the bunch. If you're not the guy moving up wheel by wheel then you're not going to keep a decent position in the pack. Since there's always people moving up in the pack, you're position is never static. Even if you keep the wheel you're sitting on, you're still moving backwards in the peloton. It takes some confidence and skill but once you master how to move up in the pack, it'll save you a lot of energy and allow you to be in a better position.

One thing that works well is moving up on the inside of the road (watch far ahead for changes in the road or obstructions!). Carefully move up until there's no more room to continue. Gently put the back of your hand on the hip of the guy in front of you who is blocking your path to let him know you're there and coming through. Usually the guy will move over and let you keep rolling up through the pack. Don't do this aggressively (or TOO GENTLY - he may get the wrong idea! ).

This is only one of many maneuvers you can use to move up through the pack. Its one of the easiest and most polite strategies. I'll write more tips on this subject in future posts.