NEW: Riding in a Paceline
By
Graham Rae
Posted: 2025-09-10T16:13:00Z
Paceline Basics
The purpose of a paceline is to ride at a faster speed and with less overall effort compared to riding alone. Pacelines achieve this by taking advantage of drafting to share the workload of riding against the wind resistance. A paceline is 2 or more riders, riding as an organized group. Each rider takes a short turn at the front of the paceline where the wind resistance is highest, while the riders behind 'draft' saving up to a whopping 30% of energy. After a rider takes a turn at the front, they pull off to the left, slowing to rejoin as the last rider and draft to recover from their effort. This rotation continues, ideally for the entire ride. If you want to learn paceline technique from the pros, watch any grand tour team time trial!
This blog will discuss the techniques for the more common single rotating paceline versus double, circular or echelon pacelines.
Paceline Safety and Etiquette - Do's and Don'ts
Pacelines are wonderful when they work as a well organized, cohesive group but can be chaotic and a safety risk if riders don't follow these best practices:
- A common mistake is increasing the speed when it's your turn at the front. Remember, that you're recovered compared to the rider who has just rotated to the back of the line. If you speed up, the rider who was just at the front may not be able to match your speed. Bottom line, when it's your turn at the front resist the temptation to increase speed
- Don't overtake to go to the front of the group when it's not your turn. This is not only inefficient but dangerous as no one is expecting to be overtaken in a paceline. Wait patiently for your turn to reach the front of the group, it's your opportunity to recover and let the group evenly share the extra effort at the front. If you're behind the lead rider and they're overstaying their time at the front or are slowing, politely remind them to take a break
- Since riders are in close proximity to each other, predictability, smoothness and communication is vital. For example call out turns, slowing/stopping, parked cars and all the usual road hazards. Hand signals alone are not enough as all the riders behind you won't see them. In addition to the usual hand signals, call everything out loudly. Avoid sudden braking and changes in direction
- Be very aware of the next turn, stop etc. Don't depend on the rider(s) in front to tell you
- When you're at the front of the paceline, you are taking the maximum wind resistance. Ride in your comfortable aero position - in the drops, flat back and elbows tucked in. At all other positions in the paceline, ride with you hands on the hoods. The more upright position improves your view ahead. Keep 1 or 2 fingers on the brake lever so you can be responsive if the group slows unexpectedly. Bottom line, only ride in the drops when you're at the front
- When your time at the front is up, always check behind for other vehicles then indicate you're moving left with a hand signal or flick of the left elbow. After you move out to the left, slow down until you are at the back of the group then merge right back in the paceline. If the group is working well together, the speed will not have changed from when you were at the front
- Don't use intersections as your opportunity to pull off from the front. It's more important is to get the group safely through the intersection without the added confusion of changing positions. Bottom line, wait until the entire group is through the intersection before you pull off from the front
- When you're at the back of the group, this is your time to recover. It's also the best time to drink as any movement of the bike when you take out and replace your bottle doesn't impact anyone else. Bottom line, wait till you're at the very back to get a drink
- What's the optimum distance to the rider in front? When you're new to riding in a paceline, start with 3 to 6 feet (3 feet is a wheel diameter, 6 feet is a bike length). As you gain confidence, you can reduce this progressively to 6 inches. To avoid touching wheels, ride slightly to the left or right of the rider in front of you. Never overlap your front wheel with their rear wheel
- How long should you say at the front of the paceline? The paceline will be smoothest if you rotate after a set time at the front. In practice, this will vary with factors such as strength of a headwind, whether climbing or descending and traffic. A good guideline is 1 minute
It's Your Turn at the Front - Now What
- Keep riding at the same speed for about a minute
- Call out turns, slowing, parked cars and the usual hazards
- When a minute has passed, check behind then if clear use se a hand signal to indicate your intent to move left and drop back
- Move to the back of the paceline. If a vehicle is impeding, use a hand signal and a verbal that you need to join the paceline mid way
- When you're at the back, have a drink and enjoy the draft effect
Moving Through the Paceline
Don't Speed Up and Get Ahead
A Close Formation Paceline
Words and Photo: Graham Rae
Paceline images: Gemini with post editing