Check your speedo before leading the paceline.

One of the common (and irritating) mistakes riders make in a paceline is accelerating while taking over the lead position.

Maybe it happens because riders don't want the others to think they can't handle the speed. Rather than risk slowing down, they overcompensate by speeding up.

The correct way is to maintain the speed as the former leader pulls off. Then you move forward, in effect, because that rider slows slightly to drop back.

If you accelerate through the front, gaps open between riders behind. There's yo-yoing as they close back up. This wastes energy and can even cause wheels to touch. You won't win any friends.

It's easy to do it right. As you ride in second place, glance at your cyclecomputer. Maintain that speed as you take the front. After a few seconds, you can smoothly up the pace or back off, depending on conditions.