Group Ride Etiquette

Come prepared:

• Make sure your bike in good condition; tyre pressures, brakes and everything tightened up properly. You must be responsible for your bike, even if it’s just come back from the shop.

• Things can happen on the road, so don’t leave it to chance that someone else will bail you out. Carry some spares like a tube, pump and a multi-tool.

• It’s not just the bike that has to be prepared bring bottles and food to suit the ride. Weather is a big factor too; sun cream for the summer and a waterproof for… well… all year round!

Stay safe:

• Make sure you’re not causing other road user’s problems. No more than two abreast, is the rule, but sometimes you have to consider the situation and ride in single file or create gaps.

• Beware of others; pedestrians, horses and vehicles all have their own challenges. Some of them are very patient, some not so much!

• Don’t play the game when someone else wants to make a nuisance of themselves. Leave them to it and get away from them is the safer tactic, for yourself and other riders.

Peloton:

• Predictable – Even the pros have the odd spill, so don’t surprise riders in the group with sudden movements such as swerving around obstacles, last-minute turns, braking hard or getting out of the saddle.

• Efficient – It takes some practice, and not everyone has had as much, but riding in a group close to each other gives everyone the chance to shield from the wind, keeps the pack tighter, helps to control a consistent pace and therefore easier for motorists to navigate.

Inexperienced / New Riders

• Be careful not to overlap wheels. Signalling is important too; not just directions, but calling out about cars passing and potholes best avoided.

• No half wheeling. When riding in twos, if you are on the front, riding a half wheel in advance of the pace rider will gradually increase the speed and disrupt the group.

• If you take a turn on the front, note the speed before you move to the front, and keep at that pace. If you are feeling strong, stay on the front for longer, don’t increase the speed and blow the group apart.

• On narrow roads, ride in single file. If cars are queuing behind a line of riders, create a gap in the line of 50+ metres so cars can overtake 2 smaller lines of riders, or find a safe spot to pull over and allow the cars to pass.

• When setting off from road junctions or traffic lights, leading riders should slowly increase the pace to help those at the back to catch up.

• Before stopping at traffic lights or junctions, change down a couple of gears so you can move off efficiently.

• Riding in close formation takes practice. Try to keep around 1 metre behind the rider in front.

Assisting Rider leaders:

• Before picking your next ride, understand what the ride is about (distance, terrain and pace). If you’re unsure, it’s better to find out in advance. It often happens that when the ride leader knows who is attending they can adjust the nature of a ride to suit those attending.

• Not essential but take a copy of the route. It helps if you know what to expect on the road/trail/mountain, as mentioned above.

• Communicate changes throughout the ride. Some days we’re just not feeling it and we need to make our own adjustments. But it’s important the ride leader knows where everyone is.

• And why not help out? As well as taking turns, be an extra pair of eyes and ears! Particularly in bigger groups, it makes a real difference and next time you lead, others will have your back too.

Finally, no helmet, no ride, no exceptions. Also make sure you have some emergency contact details on you (ICE details are on your membership card which fits nicely in your pocket, saddlebag or phone case). If you have a spill that requires someone to aid you, it’s something the ride leader will need to get you home.