split from the
Interview with Jennifer Wise thread to bring out the specific & useful info here
MV
I ride with Americans more than most on PBP, as I'm the same build as a lot of them.
The first 50 miles of the 90 hour group is like the London-Brighton bike ride, conducted at night. Many of the US contingent are triathletes or strong time-trial riders, so they do what I do, which is to ride up the outside of field in a compact group of about 5 riders. You have to be able sense when riders are going to pull out.
Actually doing the London-Brighton, and similar rides, is the best practice, setting off 2 hours into the event and forcing your way through the field is the best option. Semaine Federale is even better.
One important tip is the classic Phil Ligget and Paule Sherwen line. It's always safest in the first ten riders. Obviously with a group of 500 this is quite difficult, but from the off in the 90 hour group it is a good idea to make your way up to the lead vehicles which sit on the front for the first 25km.
Obviously I have the advantage that I can see over the heads of nearly everyone, so I get advance warning of hazards, tagging on behind someone like me is unnerving unless you have experience, as you have to be aware that I am not actually a domestique and will vary my pace without warning, get on Littlewheelsandbig's wheel, he's much steadier.
I'm the one with his head stuck up out of this group, so you have to take my views on group riding with that in mind, I can see hazards from up there.