Group Ride for a Faster Bike Leg

Leave the Music at Home

If you have music blaring in your ears, there's no way you can hear warnings or instructions from other group riders. They might be telling you to avoid glass or a pothole when there is no time to use hand signals. If you're at the back of the group, you cannot hear cars approaching from the behind you. When you're at the back, it's your job to warn other riders about approaching vehicles by shouting "car back!"

More: To iPod or Not to iPod

Keep the Pace Smooth

If the group is doing a rotating paceline or echelon, avoid ramping up the pace when it's your turn at the front. Yes, everyone knows you can time trial like a beast. Avoid trying to prove it.

Many roadies will put you in your place by attacking immediately after your long, fast pull. The next rider will launch an all-out attack for some three to five minutes. When you've popped off the back, they will continue rotating in order to show you what you already know – your high-end speed is lacking. Use the group to help you work on skills you don't have, you'll be a better rider for it.

More: Riding in a Paceline is a Basic Cycling Skill/a>

If you're looking to improve your time trial speed, one tool to use is to ride well above lactate threshold, or time trial pace, for short periods of time. This means minimizing your time pulling the group around and saving your energy for high-end efforts up a hill or into the wind.

You Will Get to Time Trial

More than likely there will come a time when you are with a small group of people looking to close the gap on a breakaway. You can use your time trial skills to help your group catch the others. They will appreciate your willingness to help.

More: 10 Common Time Trial Mistakes/a>

Watch and Learn

After you've gone to a few group rides, you can easily identify the best riders. Watch what they do and when they make moves. Without being annoying, "mark" their wheel. That is, try to follow them to see how they ride and attempt to follow in their tracks.

Joining a group ride in the offseason can help make long rides more enjoyable. If used appropriately, you'll be a stronger triathlete thanks to the peloton.

Find a group ride.