Cycling Etiquette

Club Group Ride etiquette and suggestions for inexperienced riders.

If you are under 18 years of age, then you must have a signed parental consent form and agreement from the club coach(es) that you can take part.

You must wear a cycling helmet when participating in a club ride.

You should only undertake a ride that is within your capability.

Your bike should be well maintained and in a safe condition to ride.

When you are riding at the front of the group you should wherever possible point out, and / or verbally warn following riders of the hazard (pot holes, parked cars etc).

You should stop for anyone who punctures/has a mechanical problem. You should stop and wait off the road in a safe place for your own safety and to avoid creating a traffic hazard.

You agree to observe the Highway Code e.g. not cross solid white lines, not go through red lights and so on.

When riding in close formation, you should ride in a predictable fashion, e.g. not veering across the road or undertaking.

If the ride becomes “split” for any reason then and you are in the lead group, you should slow down or stop to allow the tail group to rejoin.

You will try to avoid responding to bad behaviour or abuse from motorists, be courteous wherever possible and to behave in a way that will avoid damaging the club’s good reputation.

If you are turning back early from the ride for any reason, you should tell someone in the group what your intentions are to avoid the group waiting unnecessarily.

 You should bring:

1. A pump, 2 or more spare inner tubes, tyre levers.

2. Cash, mobile phone

3. Drink e.g. two bottles of 750mL of energy drink for rides of longer than a couple of hours.

4. Food. Bring more than you need just in case the ride turns epic.

 

You should wear appropriate clothing i.e. dress for the conditions. For example if it is raining bring a jacket. If it’s cold, then layer up. Suggestions for cold and wet weather through the winter months are for you to wear thermally insulated gloves, good quality cycling jersey with long sleeves, a thermal top to go under cycling jersey, full-length bib leggings with padded insert. Don’t wear knickers or pants as these only cause issues with rucking. Wear overshoes -neoprene are generally better than material. Also you may wish to use head scarf or balaclava or other face protection.