These ‘Ride Rules’ are here to help you:

·         

- Ride safely

- Represent the club when wearing the jersey or riding with our club

- Present a positive example of a cyclist

- Enjoy group riding!

 

Stay in a group – the most important rule.

There are multiple benefits to riding in a group. We can talk, it’s more efficient and safer because this makes it easier for cars to overtake. Even if splits occur in the peloton we should still remain in groups, two abreast if there is room for cars to overtake safely or single file if required.

If you are in front, keep a steady pace. Don’t 'up the effort' when you hit the front. Wherever you are, regularly check the rider behind you to ensure they haven’t dropped off – it might be a puncture, or they might just not be able to keep up.

 

If you are dropping behind because you are not concentrating, speed up, don’t let a big gap develop,  if you are dropping behind because the pace is too quick for you, try to let those in front know. Gaps will naturally develop on uphill and downhill sections but on rolling or flat sections slower riders should be able to draft the group and quicker riders should not split the group by accelerating off the front.

We wait at junctions and at the top of hills.

 

Remember

1. Never ride three abreast.

2. Never wave cars through.

3. Nobody gets left behind!

 

Communicate

The most important factor to successful group riding is communication. Make sure you know the meaning of and always pass any verbal signals through the group. As well as obvious shouts such as “slowing” and “braking”, others to be aware of are “car up”, meaning there is a car ahead to be aware of, “car back”. But avoid shouts where the exact meaning is unclear as this creates confusion. Think signal rather than noise.

 

Hand signals

In addition to the standard directional signal of the left or right hand extended out to the side, which should be used whenever you are cycling on the public highway, learn the other common hand signals used when riding in a group situation. These are used to point out hazards in the road or approaching a static obstacle in the road. Avoid signalling to cars to overtake, allow drivers to make their own decision rather than creating possible confusion and danger if a message is misunderstood.

 

Be aware

Stay relaxed in the group but constantly look around and don’t mindlessly follow wheels. Look past the riders in front to get a heads up of the road ahead. Always look first and let the riders around you know before moving within the group.

 

Obey the rules of the road

No explanation required, especially when wearing the club jersey!

 

Ride consistently and predictably

Your movements will affect everyone in the group. Hold a straight line, don’t weave and always overtake around the right hand side of the group.  Don’t grab your brakes and, if you stand out of the saddle, don’t let your back wheel drop back.

 

Don’t overlap wheels

In case the rider ahead needs to brake, don’t follow their rear wheel directly. It’s perfectly acceptable and you’ll get the same drafting benefit from riding six inches either side of it. However it’s essential that you don’t overlap their rear wheel as any sudden movements by them will be likely to bring both of you down.

 

Help the group maintain speed.

If you’re finding the pace easy, when you get on the front don’t try and accelerate, try to maintain the pace of the group and take a longer shift on the front helping others. Likewise, if the pace is towards the top end of what you can maintain, try to benefit from following the group closely. Don’t let a gap develop of more than two metres on flat sections. This will make it easier for you by 15 to 25 %.

 

Don’t ride in the gutter

Others will follow you and here be dragons and potholes.

 

Expect the group to change

Groups will change, fragment and reform as the ride progresses. Expect larger groups on flat sections but, on longer climbs, they’ll break up. Similarly, on descents, riders will tend to string out to give more time to react at higher speeds. Don’t panic, it's normal.

 

Horses and pedestrians

Build bridges with other members of the road using community. When approaching a horse and rider from behind, a call of ‘behind you’ is greatly appreciated. It makes the horse and rider aware of a presence from the rear. Obviously slow down and give room. 

 

Jersey

On club rides, if you have a jersey wear it. If you don't have one, let the club secretary know and he'll either place an order or grab one from stock.

 

Act courteously – A MUST WHEN IN THE FIASCO JERSEY.

Protect our image and reputation, give people a reason to love us not hate us. Be an example of a good cyclist!