Paceline riding. One old dog learns a new trick.
- John Murrell
- Apr 7
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 8
Paceline riding. One old dog learns a new trick.
With some trepidation, I signed up for the inaugural Newbury Road Club ‘paceline’ ride billed as a ‘non-stop’ red. Given a complete lack of cycling miles so far this year, would I be fast enough? Would I be dropped? And how would I cope without my mid-ride coffee and cake?
I need not have worried. In the capable hands of NRC ride leader Simon Letch, my fellow riders and I had a hugely enjoyable, and dare I say even a ‘relaxed’, ride. In a brisk wind, we achieved a higher-than-average pace for the effort expended… and we were happily back for a caffeine stop before midday.
Why paceline riding?
Let me start by recognising that paceline riding isn’t going to be for everyone. Although well-structured, NRC group rides are relatively ‘free-form’, which is the way we like it. My pace-line ride required concentration, discipline, close-up drafting and almost entirely riding two abreast. Did I really need that on a sunny Sunday morning? Well, it turns out … yes!
As you are probably aware, in paceline riders rotate positions in a line, each one taking a turn at the front where he or she pulls into the wind before swinging off. Paceline riding makes a huge amount of sense in terms of efficiency, especially in windy conditions, as it was on Sunday.
The NRC Paceline riding
The Club has run paceline, or ‘through and off’ training rides in the past. In 2023, Tristan Devenne kindly hosted regular dedicated training rides, and while these were popular, they mainly attracted the faster riders in the Club. However, until now, it has not been a regular part of the club's Sunday morning rides offering.
Step forward Simon Letch. Simon is an experienced cyclist and founder of the Chiswick Cycling Club and moved to West Berkshire in 2024. He joined NRC and suggested a regular pace-line ride might be attractive and may even teach a few old dogs like me some new tricks.
Simon approached Gordon Fry in 2024 to suggest a non-stop paceline format, and together they planned and launched Sunday’s ride.
Well, that was fun!
The ride was a great success. I enjoyed the discipline of working together, where our combined output was greater than the sum of our respective inputs. No one got dropped, and we adapted the speed and formation to cater for those who were feeling the pace towards the end.
However, it did require a few key factors to make it work. The route was carefully planned: long straight flat roads over the spectacular Lambourn Downs ( this was never going to work on twisty country lanes). A comprehensive briefing before the start. And plenty of communication within the group. And, bunched up and two-abreast as we were, there was not a single complaint from motorists who were able to pass with relative ease.
NRC plans to make these rides a regular Sunday feature and, if demand is there, introduce more speed variations. However, there is an optimal group size of eight, so the Club is reliant on more ride leaders being willing to take groups in this formation for the scheme to expand. (Look out for more ride leadership courses in Spond!)
My thanks to my fellow riders and especially Simon for a new (to me) and fun cycling experience. I'll be back for more!
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