16.         Cycling in a pack or bunch - known as a Peloton

Riding in a tight pack or bunch enables a cyclist to ride up to 20% faster.  However, in order to achieve that increased speed, cyclists need to sit within approx 200mm behind the cyclist ahead to slip-stream. 

If the front wheel of a rear cyclist touches the rear wheel of a cyclist immediately ahead, the rear cyclist may easily fall down onto a very hard, sometimes gravely surface beneath.  Other "wheel touches" can evidence the front bike also capsize.

Cycling in a Peloton is contingent upon all the riders in that bunch being experienced, focused on the job at hand, and enjoying a modicum of luck, because if two wheels touch particularly towards the front of a pack, a domino effect can rapidly unfold.

The thought of riding within 200mm may be very scary to the uninitiated.  Advantage gained from slipstreaming begins at 2-3 metres back.  There are conventions and rules to bunch riding which exist for everybody's comfort and safety, in particular -

(A)        not engaging in idle chatter, but maintaining peak concentration; and

(B)        sharing "breaking the wind". 

The ride leader and other riders who generally hang around twds the front of a pack, and do their share of "braking the wind", will readily provide invaluable tips re the protocols and disciplines of riding in a bunch.

Muggaccinos cyclists don’t ride in a bunch.  Each Sunday’s “Ride Route Description” lists the 2 or 3 Nosh Stops (for a 30 min refuel stop) interspersed between a 100km ave ride drawn from Muggaccinos +30 different 100km+ Ride Routes which visit cafes around the perimeter of Sydney from Wyong in the North, Windsor in the NW, Cobbitty out West to Wollongong Harbour down South.  Faster cyclists generally enjoy a longer Nosh Stops.  Slower cyclists often start the ride promptly, and commence the 2nd and 3rd ride legs a few mins earlier than faster cyclists. 

Many Muggaccinos Sunday ride routes -

(i)        offer a Longer and a Shorter Start Point to the same Nosh Stops; or

(ii)       provide an "out and back" leg which may be skipped or reduced; or

(iii)      provide the option to catch a train back to the Shorter and Longer Start Point,

enabling a 50 to 70km ride for less experienced cyclists.