You’re in a road race and you get popped. It happens. Someone turns the screw, you can’t cover a gap and suddenly you’re wondering where everyone went. We’ve all been there. (My first season, I was there a lot.)

It’s lonely off the back. You’re dejected, you’re tired and you still have 30 miles to ride without the benefit of a draft.

Suddenly a train of riders comes up your left. Wahoo! Free ride!

Do you hop on?

No, not if they’re not the same field as you. More than likely they’re a higher category or a masters field. Your day is done, but they’re still racing.

Why is it bad form to integrate?

First, it’s cheating. You’re getting help that you’re not entitled to. Chances are they’ll pull you up to the next straggler on the road, thus improving your placement. And if you take any pulls, you’re giving them help that they are not entitled to, which is grounds for relegation.

Second: Sorry, you’re just not welcome. It’s not that you’re not a nice guy or a strong rider, but for all they know your skills may still need some refining. The fast guys you caught on with don’t want their paceline interfered with by an inexperienced rider who can’t hang on to his own field. If you’re not an expert in echeloning, for example, a small mistake can bring everyone down.

Don’t take it personally. Just be patient and wait until you find riders with race numbers from the same series as you.

And then destroy them in the sprint.