Please follow these guidelines to help make our club rides safe and enjoyable.
Guidelines for All Riders
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- Be familiar with and obey the Highway Code and show consideration to other road users and to fellow riders.
- Do not ride if unwell.
- Wear a cycling helmet and light coloured or fluorescent clothing.
- Eye protection and cycling gloves are recommended.
- Follow instructions given by the Ride Leader and Back Marker for the safety of yourself and fellow riders.
- Use cycling calls (see table below) to alert fellow riders to hazards.
- Use hand signals when turning and to point out hazards.
- Do not cycle too close to other riders and do not overlap your front wheel with the rear wheel of the bike in front.
- Approach horses at low speed. Alert horse riders and horses to your presence, and the presence of any following riders, with the human voice. Pass singularly or in small groups giving horses good clearance.
- Move to safe place to repair punctures etc. At least one experienced rider should stay with you, and one person should have the route.
- Arrive in good time for the briefing at the start of the ride.
- Bring water, phone, and cash/cards.
- Carry ICE details (enter your ICE details into your Spond profile, see here for details).
- Ensure your bike is in good mechanical condition.
- As a minimum, carry a spare inner tube, tyre lever(s), and pump/gas.
- Put lights on your bike in case the ride is delayed so the return is after dark, or visibility is poor.
- Flashing front and back lights are recommended to make you more visible during the day, throughout the year.
- Use full-length mudguards in wet weather as a courtesy to following riders.
- Bring clothing, as appropriate, for cold, wet, and hot weather.
- Do not leave the ride without advising the Ride Leader.
- If you feel unwell during the ride advise the Ride Leader (or Back Marker) immediately.
- Seek advice – the club has many experienced riders who are happy to advise on safety, bikes, clothing, repairs, and good rides.
Calls - mandatory
| Explanation | |
|---|---|
| Car Front | Made by the Leader (or others near the front): a vehicle coming towards the group may be a hazard. |
| Car Back | Made by the Back Marker (or riders near the back) – a vehicle behind that may be overtaking. |
| Stopping / Slowing | The rider intends to Stop or Slow down. |
| Single file / Single out | An instruction from Leader or Back Marker. Mandatory move to single file riding to allow a car to overtake or because of a narrow road. |
| Car Left / Right | To warn of a car approaching. There may be a requirement to stop. |
| Open Gaps | A mandatory instruction from Leader or Back Marker to split into smaller groups to allow traffic to overtake safely. Typical group size is 5 riders, who will then need to self-discipline (with calls). The groups should be at least 5 car lengths apart. |
| Clear | A courtesy call to assist riders in crossing an intersection. |
| Other advisory calls | To alert other riders of a Pedestrian, Runner, Horse, Hole, Gravel, Puncture etc (use appropriate hand signals as necessary). |
| All Up! | A call (often mandatory) made by the back marker to advise the leader that all riders are accounted for. |