jmsmech-obra@yahoo.com
There is almost always wind, so always pull off into the wind. Remember to leave room so people can draft off the side of you. (if you are trying to be nice)
If its hard to tell, pull off in any direction, or in the direction that has been established.
In the midwest, if i remember correctly, generally if the wind is unknown, the single person pulled off to the left (into traffic) . Why: cause single person could time when there is no traffic, and thus politer then blocking the road. but it really doesn't matter that much.
If there is only 3 to 4 of you and the wind is ambiguous, ride so the person behind you can come by on either side, which they should do w/ no hesitation, as soon their heart rate drops, or when they sense the lead starting to hurt. And the lead should let up immediately and not fight.
And make sure you draft properly, feel the wind in your face, position so it is least, there is nothing worse then working your ass off, only to have those behind you not drafting properly and thus not able to spell you.
In general learning / teaching pacelining in portland area is incredibly hard. Too much traffic, too many interruptions. (whereas where i learned, one could go 10 to 20 miles without interruption), ... and well since it isnt practiced, a lot of different ideas, personalities (some type A) of how it should be done, usually in ignorance, and then no one gets in sync and then well there's the traffic light, and if youre fat slow, no one is going to listen to you anyway, and its just not worth the clash.
So in general one should not worry about it, and just ride and realize it just going to be a cluster and yes what Jess wrote applies perfectly.
--- On Fri, 1/23/09, Jess Mace wrote:
> From: Jess Mace
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] paceline technique
> To: "L D" , obra@list.obra.org
> Date: Friday, January 23, 2009, 12:15 PM
> >From my understanding
its a difficult thing to
> explain
but the underlying physics are very similar to why
> the toilets swirl in the opposite direction
>
> in Australia
>
>
>
>
>
> Jess Mace, MPH, CCRP
>
> Clinical Outcomes Research - Oregon Sinus Center
>
> Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
>
> Oregon Health & Science University
>
> 503.494.5886
>
>
>
> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org
> [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On Behalf Of L D
> Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 12:12 PM
> To: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] paceline technique
>
>
>
> I have a question about pace-line etiquette/technique. In
> past experience riding with teams in Colorado, California
> and Utah, the lead person drops off to the right, ( toward
> the shoulder of the road) but since I moved to Oregon a
> couple years ago, I've noticed that in almost all
> team/group rides I've been on, the lead person drops off
> to the left (toward the traffic side of the road). I know
> wind can be a factor in determining which side, but for
> discussion, let's say the wind does not play a role. I
> have always been told it's better for the lead person to
> drop off toward the shoulder, for the following reasons:
>
>
>
> - There are usually more road hazards (gravel, pot
> holes, branches, glass. etc) toward the shoulder side, so
> there is less potential of the group hitting road hazards if
> they.
>
>
>
> - A Group is more visible to traffic than a single
> rider.
>
>
>
> What are the benefits of dropping off to the left (traffic
> side) ?
>
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