Glossary of Terms
To get a nice glossary of cycling terms, please click on the link below. It will take you to a page from our Ride MKE kit provider - Pactimo. It's a pretty complete list, but I'm sure there are others that you know that are missing. We will add a special set of Ride MKE terms as they come to light.
Hand Signals
Left Turn
A left turn is signaled by extending your left arm out, parallel to the group. You can also add a bit of motion by repeatedly pointing left by flexing your wrist
Gravel
Gravel is indicated by holding out the arm where the hazard is and wiggling your hand. If the gravel is significant, or comes when the group is making a turn, you should call it out as well.
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Right Turn
The universal signal for a right turn is NOW the same as a left turn, but with your right hand. The old way, bending your left hand at a 90 degree angle so your hand is pointing skyward is falling out of favor as it is sometimes mistaken for a wave.
Pothole or Other Debris
A pothole or other debris is indicated by pointing at the object with whichever hand is consistent with where the item is relative to your position. If riding two abreast, each rider will most likely signal a pothole, or manhole cover, with their inside arm, and the group will split to pass around the obstacle.
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Slowing
Slowing is signaled by placing either hand in a palm down position or extending your arm down, palm facing toward the riders behind you. Since slowing and stopping signals are the same, call out whether you're just slowing down, or coming to a full stop.
Passing
Passing a parked car, another cyclist, an oncoming walker or runner, is signaled by extending your hand behind you and pointing or waving the direction the group must move. In the image above, the signal is to move to the right. For us, we'll almost always be signaling to move left. Often "walker up" or "runner up" is called out.
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This is just a sampling of key hand signals. More will be added over time. Also, click below for a nice video on hand signals and group riding.
How to Videos
Here is a 2013 video from GCN on some basic group riding ideas
2010 Video from Richard Greer on riding in a Cycle Bunch. While this has some of a racing bent, there are some very good pointers.
A 2014 video from GCN entitled "How to Ride in a Group". Take note of the comments about spitting and half wheeling.