when we ride two up the line rotates with the front outside rider coming through and moving to the inside front, the inside front dropping back, and the outside second becomes the outside front. No width change necessary.
So if I read you right ... this would be triggered by riders coming through,
as opposed to other approaches which are triggered by the (usually knackered) rider(s) on the front who wants a break.
(sort of ...)
It's not the person coming through, it is the person at the front moving over.
It isn't quite the same thing because although you have two lines the person at the front in the line moving up has to be clear of the front bike in the line moving back, otherwise they can't move over.
Great fun but it works best when you want to keep a nice high pace and everyone keeps moving so nobody does more than come to the front and then move over to let the next one through.
The typical mistake riders make riding 'through and off' is when moving over to take the lead position a rider puts in too much effort, meaning they end up riding slightly ahead of the group. The next guy then has to put even more effort in to catch up and move over and so the pace gets faster and faster until the group splinters.
The chap moving over to take the lead shouldn't need to speed up/sprint to take position, rather the inside line, having had their turn at the front, eases off so the outside line riding at the agreed pace naturally moves up and over. The only additional work being done by the guys at the front is in providing shelter from the wind. Its sharing the wind burden that enables the group as a whole to travel further and faster with less effort then a rider riding alone. Thats what group riding is all about.
So yes, it helps keep the pace up but it should be an agreed pace, a pace which the group as a whole is comfortable with, because if it isn't then the group will fall apart.
But riding close as a group isn't just about 'through and off'. Most of the time you just pootle along in formation behind who ever is feeling strong enough to take the wind burdan and set/maintain a pace the group is happy with. Occaisionally there will be a shuffling of the pack which ensures riders have a chance to recycle (sic) stories of recent exploits with each new partner. All this requires that the group is disciplined and enough to stick together and ride as a group. Its a real skill which requires some concentration.
In many ways group riding is an exact opposite style to the way most audaxers ride. Audax lore says 'ride at your own pace' and don't try and keep up with faster riders because you'll burn out. But if you are riding as a team then this shouldn't happen as stronger riders simply spend more time on the front, not forcing the pace but taking the wind burden for the group.
Having said all this, group riding, maintaining even an easy pace over long periods is harder then it sounds. Stronger riders must resist the urge to push on hard whilst weaker riders no longer have the luxury of easing off when they feel like it. You have to keep going at the pace of the group and maintain position within the group. It can be relentless (thats what makes it such excellent training), and the longer the ride the more stressful it can become. You have to be both mentally and physically up for it. Hacking a club run of say 5 hours with a cafe stop is one thing, riding audax style distances is another, which is why groups on audaxes tend to constantly splinter and reform.
