Our BIGGEST Group Ride to Date!

[@ryanvogel4384]

I really enjoyed the explanation of the role of the ride leader and how your ride was managed. Great videos!

[@bikenbeers]

The two clubs I’ve ridden with always have a ride leader and someone sweeping at the rear to ensure the ride leader at the front knows what’s happening within the group. Anymore than 20 riders and the group is split because it’s just too hard to keep a large group together especially in Sydney with the traffic lights/roundabouts/stop signs etc. Larger groups always result in splits in Sydney traffic. The Ride Leader always addresses the group pre-ride to ensure they know the capabilities of the riding group and any new riders are introduced. The Club also reinforces the bunch ride rules and calls with email updates to club members. Safety is always No. 1 priority.

[@joshkwan]

You’re exactly right. A group of 20 riders side by side can stretch to over 50m long very easily and become unmanageable.

[@RichardLi-vf2xo]

Another awesome vide Josh. Massive FOMO, hope to join you for some Xmas rides. Regarding ride leaders, TDC would have 3-4 ride leaders per Peloton (around 10-20 riders). Peloton Manager rides at the back to have full view of the group, 2IC in the front to control the pace and other rides leaders are evenly allocated in the middle to look after weaker riders. All ride leaders are on the right handside when riding in double formation to protect others from traffic. Having radios amongst ride leaders help a lot with communication, something we can explore :)

[@joshkwan]

Thanks for the useful info and tips, we have a long way to go to be as organised as you guys at TDC. But in the meantime happy to pick up on your learnings :)

[@wilsonrobb10]

Such an great ride down there. Nice tune at the end btw

[@marcmarc9374]

Hi Josh, I am spoilt in Bathurst having Mark Renshaw as the ride leader for his Tuesday Pedal Project shop rides. Having an ex pro like Mark set the pace and structure of the group creates cohesion and confidence. There would be an ex pro in Sydney who could give you the same structure and understanding of a group. I do appreciate there is a lot more traffic in Sydney to consider. Keep the videos going. Cheers

[@joshkwan]

Wow you are spoilt! I’m jealous. Thanks for the kind comment, have a good day 😊

[@lolrus1535]

My local club is generally groups of 10, 1 leader at the front. For the slower groups not used to pacelines, someone commits to hanging around the back (known as a "sweeper") so the leader always knows the pack is together. The leader generally designates a regular (maybe someone who bludges a lot on pacelines!) as a sweeper, as the regular will know the role well and ensure the newbies stay on. People generally know which group they belong to after 1 or 2 rides.

[@joshkwan]

Its not bludger, its business class ticket ;)

[@anthrology123]

onwards and upwards Joshy! 2024 gonna me mega for us :)

[@joshkwan]

That’s it mate

[@stevekingdon]

One of my favourite rides. I've been riding with Moore Performance out of CP for the last year. Before that my rides were solo/with 1-2 others so group riding was relatively new to me. Call out I have is there are a lack of resources when starting out pack riding - has been a major learning curve for me "on the job". Would be really good to publish a vid on basic group riding in Sydney. Things I've learnt from MP (Danny Moore's group) is (1) splitting rides into ability/pace groups of 8-10 riders with a leader (2) leader knows route (3) leader/pacesetter on front calling they need a lane change (4) another "leader" on back right to call safe lane changes (5) hazard calls - verbal/hand? (6) safe pacelining in CP on Tue/Thu morning when it's busy.

[@joshkwan]

Thanks for your comments and insights!

[@Dippns]

I ride a lot with PAS Normal who regularly get groups of +30. They started using the Link My Ride app to control how many people could sign up. Originally they'd advertise only through Strava, but on some of the first few rides they put on they had like 60-80 people show up... They typically do the math of 1 leader per 15, but often they have 2-3 leaders joining rides anyway, and it's pretty stress free. In a place as hectic as Sydney, I would think a leader per 10 people would be a good starting point.

[@joshkwan]

I think I need to appoint some more ride leaders ;) Thanks for the insight

[@cyclingimages]

Great Video Josh. A few years back I spent 4 years in Adelaide where they have some big groups that I rode with (Google Scuzzi Ride). They all have ride Captains and when doing a pace line with riders two abreast the ride Captain will call the pace such as 36/38 km/h where the pace on the outside is 38 and 36 on the inside. So when the rider on the front moves to the left they slow down 2 km/h. The left hand riders are always riding 2 km/h slower than the right hander riders. On another note I noticed at the end of your video when you where in the cafe the video was flickering under the lights. Do you shoot at either 30/60/120P (NTSC)? If so trying changing to 25/50/100P (PAL). The Australian electrical standard is 50Ghz which is in synch with 25/50/100P which eliminates the flickering under lights. Also helps if you shoot with a TV or PC monitor in frame (the monitors don't flicker). The other Electrical standard is 60Ghz which is in synch with 30/60/120P (e.g. USA). Sorry if I am telling you to suck eggs.

[@joshkwan]

Thanks for telling me about your Adelaide riding experiences. One thing about Sydney is that it’s super hilly, so it’s hard to dictate a dedicated speed for the pace lines to roll at, but I understand your point about making it smooth rolling. I shoot at 60FPS usually, don’t think the GoPro lets me shoot at 50FPS. Thanks for the info though, very insightful.

[@cyclingimages]

@@joshkwan The GoPro's do let you shoot in PAL (25/50/100 fps). I have several GoPro's from the 12 all the way back to the 7 and they all let you shoot PAL. It's easy to find in the settings. Outdoors it does not matter but when you are under lights it does. Also when in NTSC mode and you choose the antiflicker setting it will switch to PAL. I am back home in Cronulla now and you are right the rolling pace line I described only works when it is relatively flat. We do it from Cronulla To Kurnell - it makes the ride interesting.

[@kxvinxavier]

What a ride and weekend that was!

[@joshkwan]

Sure was bro

[@logictd567]

Sup bro. Loving the kit! Any plans to sell these?

[@joshkwan]

Hey mate, we try and do a kit re-release once or twice a year. Unfortunately you’ve just missed the last round, but we will do another one before the end of the year. Best way to keep up to date is to follow the pastries.cc Instagram

[@tenjho101]

what are you using to record your videos ?

[@joshkwan]

GoPro 9! Still going strong but I wouldn’t mind updating to one of the newer action cameras

[@michaelcox1611]

Most importantly - name of the cafe?

[@joshkwan]

Good point! Salma’s Canteen maps.app.goo.gl/4uLZDNuQq3N8jm7x7?g_st=ic

[@christophershi5605]

3k followers by end of year?

[@joshkwan]

Wet dream

[@RealWorldAustralia]

1:04 how shit is Sydney for cycling

[@bonesx165]

Aaah, the infamous Crows Nest Hotel. My first job out of school was there! Around “cough, cough” 40 years ago…🫣😆 Shouldn’t really rate a mention, but great to see a few women in your group. Not the norm down here in Melbourne (huge generalisation I know, but not in my area at least), as it’s more an either / or in regular groups. And in large groups, especially when new folks with different ability levels join in, positive, encouraging communication is king.

[@joshkwan]

Thanks for the encouragement! Crowsnest hotel is an institution!