“No Drop” rides are social group rides on which no rider is to be left behind – or left at an intersection wondering which way the others went. If you’re riding with pals, chances are you already know each others’ riding style and can set the pace accordingly. On organized group rides, it’s the leader’s responsibility to set the right pace – and divide large gatherings into (self-selected) groups of similar speeds and abilities. The goal is for everyone to have fun! 

Everyone: Watch Your Behind!

A great way to keep everyone together is for everyone to watch, listen for, keep tabs on, and ride at the pace of the rider behind you. The rider ahead of you will do the same and viola - you're all riding together.

Helpful Tips: 

• Keep listening for the bear bell behind you. (Looking behind while pedaling can be tricky!)
• Keep talking. It helps everyone keep tabs on their peeps and helps build lung capacity, too! 
• At every intersection and every possible decision point, make visual contact with the rider behind you to confirm they know which way to go. (They’ll do the same for the rider behind them.)
• If you lose contact with the rider behind at any time, slow your pace. This forces the rider(s) ahead of you to do the same.
• If slowing doesn’t work in a few seconds, stop and wait. When they catch up, be sure to check in – they may need your help or simply to catch their breath.
• If they don’t catch up in a minute or two, ride back slowly to see if there’s a problem, being mindful that you might be going the wrong way on a one-way trail and that your pal may have veered off the trail, fallen down an embankment and plunged into the brambles. Just sayin’.
• If you’re the leader, group up periodically. Someone may have forgotten to wait for someone else and it’s a chance to check in with each other – anyone need water, bike adjustments, snacks, a slower pace or a longer break? 

Ultimately it’s the leader’s responsibility to make sure the group stays together but it’s super helpful, especially in large groups or when out on a wilderness ride, when everyone takes responsibility for the rider in back of them.