Turbulence - Is it harder to ride at the back than in the middle of a group?

[boydj]

Yellow Saddle has pretty well said it all. Riding at the back for a short while can let you get a drink or take some food and, in a straight road, there's little aerodynamic disadvantage. However as soon as the pace varies for hills or corners the guy at the back is pushed into catch-up mode and burns a lot of energy staying on the back.

 

[HLaB]

When ever somebody is struggling in our group rather than sitting at the back we put them in the middle. I think there's also a danger that a rider at the back simply drifts off.