05-26-2016, 06:26 PM
The only context where I ride abreast is with larger group rides with WCC, although I typically ride solo lately. The double paceline is actually the most efficient way the group can ride. Generally speaking, the group will ride single file where a double paceline isn't possible and only form one on less busy country roads.
Not only does the double paceline make the group much shorter to pass, and encourage motorists to wait for a proper opportunity to pass instead of squeezing by, it also allows the group to ride significantly faster, as much as 5 kph for similar effort. This is because the riders slowly rotate through the paceline only spending a short time at the front and a much longer time drafting behind other riders. The fact is that a double paceline is less of an obstruction to traffic than farm equipment or a horse and buggy and actually goes substantially faster than both, so driver irritation toward the group is hardly reasonable.
Not only does the double paceline make the group much shorter to pass, and encourage motorists to wait for a proper opportunity to pass instead of squeezing by, it also allows the group to ride significantly faster, as much as 5 kph for similar effort. This is because the riders slowly rotate through the paceline only spending a short time at the front and a much longer time drafting behind other riders. The fact is that a double paceline is less of an obstruction to traffic than farm equipment or a horse and buggy and actually goes substantially faster than both, so driver irritation toward the group is hardly reasonable.