I LOVE spending time on my road bike. It started back on the barren roads of Wyoming before I could drive, and has been a part of each stage of my life since then.
Though I do plenty of solo riding, having someone to ride with improves any outing.
Why go together?
Of course, tackling a long ride with a friend raises the fun factor. With the distraction of another rider to talk to, I can focus on something beyond the motion of my legs and the upcoming landscape. I simply don’t notice how many miles tick by under my wheels.
Beyond the fun, though, I find that I go farther and faster on rides with someone else.
One of my regular riding partners is a monster on the uphills. It seems like he is able to convince gravity to bend the rules just for him. I, however, tend to be more of a flat out distance rider.
The best rides come when we can use each others’ strengths.
On a bike, this means drafting.
Heading into a hill, my friend will take the lead position, and I put my front wheel a few scant inches behind his back wheel. He then does what he does best… unshackle from gravity and power up the hill. I am able to follow close behind, allowing the air currents that he creates to make my own challenge easier.
On the flat stretches, we switch roles. I take the lead while he settles in right behind me, letting me choose the best path, push hard, and pull both of us along.
Through this teamwork, we achieve more together than we would independently.
Lessons for leaders and followers
Throughout my career, I see the same lessons at work in every successful team endeavor. That success boils down to a few key elements.
- Know your strengths, when to use them, and when to use someone else’s.
- Be confident. This translates to consistency and a smooth approach. Don’t change course or speed too quickly or erratically.
- Stay close. This is a job for both the leader and the follower.
- Trust your team. You are on the same road together, headed for the same destination.
- Take turns leading based on the challenge you are facing.
- Communicate in all directions. Just because you are drafting, you can still comment on an upcoming pothole.
Success as a team is best found not by relying on any one individual. It comes through knowing and utilizing the strengths of each individual. It is for this reason that having a diverse team as well as understanding and knowing the strengths of each person is so important.
Reflection
- What strength do you bring to the table today?
- In what areas can you step forward and take on more of the headwind so that others can draft behind you?
- Who can you follow through the areas that challenge you more?
Check out the other blogs exploring getting into motion as you find your next success.