[Event] 99er Cycle Tour

[DieselnDust]

7 hours ago, ChaseTheAce said:

Talking of group dynamics and not being formally taught at the "bunch riding school for kids who don't know how to ride and read the group dynamic good" Tongue in cheek here 😋.

What’s the unwritten bunch etiquette around moving up on the left side, inside the yellow line at the road edge?
My common sense says:
1. If there’s a natural flow happening on that side already, ja that's cool, you're moving with the flow, it is fine and predictable behaviour.
2. It’s better to leave a bit of buffer space near the edge for gravel, bumps, wiggles, etc.
3. Using that narrow space to squeeze into gaps to obtain positions doesn’t feel lekker on that side. If you need to do that, do it on the right where there’s more room and margin for safety - i.e. another lane. 

I am curious what the consensus on this is, and if my above perceptions ring true.

1) if there’s a natural flow that side then next to it is a flow going backwards. If you want to join it you should indicate that you want space to join that flow. Someone will give you space to they have one extra body I. Front of them. 

2) it is better to leave a buffer, usually the yellow line, so that you don’t disappear into a hole or suddenly find yourself in a gravel race on a skinny tyres. If you are trying to move on this verge then ya no well, you’re ditch dodging so chose what’s best to get to the finish. To win first you must finish 

3) ya if you’re trying to move up on the inside you’re pacing yourself and everyone behind you at risk. I had some plonker try this s$(t st 99er while his equally numb brained chum was trying to squeeze me on the right to force me to give the inside man room. These boys didn’t race in the 90’s where if you tried this crap you woke up in the ditch later in the day. Todays 20 somethings seem to think a road race is just an extension of Zwift 

[Mamil]

Quite often the C D E groups where i usually end up seeded feel like the n1 on a Friday. There's always someone in an flash car pushing in on the fast section only to be slamming on anchors when the concertina happens. 

When E caught D it was a horror story waiting to happen. Balancing risk and reward i find myself drifting backwards out of the madness.  (not the smartest I know but i don't have the legs to get to the front) 

[Paul Ruinaard]

1 hour ago, Mamil said:

Quite often the C D E groups where i usually end up seeded feel like the n1 on a Friday. There's always someone in an flash car pushing in on the fast section only to be slamming on anchors when the concertina happens. 

When E caught D it was a horror story waiting to happen. Balancing risk and reward i find myself drifting backwards out of the madness.  (not the smartest I know but i don't have the legs to get to the front) 

Those that run away live to fight another day. If you have done some road racing you can see it developing and avoid it. Again to finish first, first you must finish. I am also now more preservation based. There will always be another group coming if you just sit up and wait and reign your ego in and often the back group that catches you pulls you back to the front group and they merge especially in the fast flat races when it turns a corner and there is a slight headwind.