Dropped? Be smart about catching back up!

It happens to all of us sooner or later. Even Lance Armstrong found himself chasing the lead pack in the Tour de France this year when he got delayed by a crash.

You can fall behind a group for all kinds of reasons, even because you pause to take off a jacket or visit the bushes. When a gap opens, here are four key tips for catching up:

Get help. If other riders stopped or were dropped with you, form a paceline and work together. It's a sure sign of inexperience when several riders are chasing together like they're riding solo. Wait for other dropees and share the work. As Lance's coach, Chris Carmichael, says: "Where there's a wheel, there's a way."

If the gap is small, close it fast. When you're dangling 50 yards off the back, it's tempting to ride just a little faster. You think you can ease back into contact in the next mile without undue pain. Don't take that chance. The longer you're pushing air by yourself, the riskier it gets. Jump firmly and close the gap decisively while it's still small.

If the gap is large, go into TT mode. When the group is a minute or more up the road, this distance is too big to sprint across. Now's the time to parcel your energy. Think "time trial."
Settle into a pace you can maintain for 5-10 minutes. Concentrate on good form and an efficient cadence. Take advantage of roadside windbreaks like cornfields or trees. Use the shortest line around curves (traffic permitting).

Keep an eye on the group and monitor your progress. Don't back off if you see those riders sit up. Keep your speed till you're in contact.

Go to the front. When you catch the riders, you'll be going faster than they are. Use this momentum to move to the front.

Sure, after a hard chase it's tempting to sit at the back. But if there's an acceleration, you're only one or two riders away from getting dropped again. Stay among the first few riders at least until you've recovered.