What is a Peloton?

Pony asked about peloton. I am by no means an expert since I am a novice cyclist. Wikipedia explains a peloton as "the large main group in a bicycle road race. Riders in a group save energy by riding close (drafting or slipstreaming) near (particularly behind) other riders. The peloton travels as an integrated unit, like birds flying in formation, each rider making slight adjustments in response to the riders around them." Kind of like the Striders doggie centipede that in the Bayou City Classic this year that Pony ran in!

The Space City Cycling Club has group rides every Saturday split into various pace groups (warp speed, 21mph, 18mph, and 14-16mph). The groups travel as pelotons, or more precisely, in pacelines.

The rider at the front sets the pace and leads the pace line. When the front rider tires, he or she moves to back of the paceline and the second rider takes over the front. It's a fun way to ride, one is able to maintain a faster pace than one can riding alone. To me, it seems a safer ride as cars seem to give more respect to a peloton than a lone rider.