Group Rides - Some Basic Information
When first riding in a group you may be slightly unsure as to what is going on; where you should be riding in the formation or who is in charge etc. There are a few rules to riding in a group safely and effectively. Here we explain all you need to know about group riding. Why ride in a group? For several reasons; safety, safety and because it's sociable. If you
are new to the sport or the area, if you ride in a group you shouldn’t get lost. You’ll learn road skills and be able to chat to more experienced riders
Find a ride suitable for your level. We meet on Saturdays at 8.50am The Millers Arms in Canterbury CT12AW. Rides set off at 9am promptly. Our rides are:
Black (fastest) ave speed 16-18 mph (approx 45 miles)
Orange - ave speed 15-17 mph (approx 30 m)
Yellow - ave speed ~12-15 mph (approx 15-20 m)
If it is your first time riding with the club, make yourself known to one of the people organising the ride so that you can be looked after. Each group will aim to go at the pace of the slowest rider. If in doubt when selecting your group, please select the slower, shorter ride. We try to ensure that if you get dropped the group will wait at the next major road junction or area of safety such as a lay-by. Be prepared
It is imperative that your bike is road legal and well serviced with efficient brakes and tyres. If something fails you will endanger the safety of the whole group. Please carry the following with you: a pump, essential tools, spare tubes, food for three to four hours and don’t forget to take more water/energy drink than you think you’ll need (most people carry at least 2 x 500ml and some 2 x 750 ml even in the winter). A mobile phone is a must and it’s worth taking the numbers of other people on the ride in case of emergency. Also consider taking some ID, plus money for a coffee stop or train fare home. You shouldn’t need a map, but take one if you need some added reassurance, or if you are unfamiliar with the main routes that we cover. Make sure that your tyre pressures are correct as you can waste a lot of energy and effort fighting a low tyre. If you are unsure go to your nearest bicycle shop and get them to check but as a rule of thumb modern road bike wheels and tyres will run happily and efficiently at 100psi or if you squeeze the tyre you should get very little or no top to bottom movement. Invest in a track pump for home and renew your tyres on a regular basis. Always bring a sense of humour. Things rarely go to plan, but that is one of the joys of these training rides. WEARING A HELMET IS COMPULSORY ON CANTERBURY BICYCLE CLUB RIDES!! You may not want to wear one but there will always be people around you who are uneasy and nervous about riding with someone that would want to take this unnecessary risk. It is their ride too. Ride single file in town and avoid confrontation
Contrary to the belief of some road users, riding double file is legal but experience suggests sometimes it’s not practical until we get a little further out of built up areas. Use common sense, and try not to get
involved in confrontations with the inevitable aggressive motorist. They are driving a 1 ton vehicle which is always going to win........ If the situation does become difficult phone the Police and report the incident noting the car registration number and details. Ideally record the confrontation on a mobile phone video. Don’t switch suddenly
Hold your line and keep a steady cadence, this is for the rider who may be riding behind and needs to be close and confident that you won’t move suddenly or wobble. The riders in front should not stop suddenly without warning, but always be prepared for any sudden moves. Relax
Try to relax your upper body as much as possible. This will help prevent fatigue and also prevent you from making sudden changes in direction. Bend the arms a little and keep your head up. Tell someone if you have a problem
You may be feeling a bit shy about it but tell the riders around you if you have a puncture, mechanical problem, or just aren’t feeling too good. The information should be passed forward to the lead riders on the front so appropriate and safe action can be taken. Don’t drift to the back and off it without telling anyone. It is normal practice for the faster riders to wait if a slower rider is dropped, for example, on a hill. Punctures
The group may ride on and then retrace so they keep warm whilst you fix your flat. If you are a slow mechanic ask for help. There will be experienced riders who can fix a flat in quick time, so don’t feel afraid to ask if it will save the group time. However, everyone attending club rides should be able to fix a puncture without assistance, in case they get separated. Send the message to the front
If you are riding at the back and a rider is dropped for whatever reason, tell the riders in front of you and ask them to shout up to the front. The pace can then be adjusted to suit the problem or the group can stop. Once riders have been left behind, finding them and regrouping can be difficult. Other general shouted instructions:
‘Car back’ or ‘Car up’ A general warning of a car trying to pass or one coming around a
corner. A car coming towards you is usually ‘Car front', or 'Car up’ and a car approaching from the rear which might try to overtake the group is usually ‘car back’.
‘Easy’ or 'Slowing' If this is shouted it usually means there is a bad junction or potential hazard ahead and to pay attention yourself, it’s often very easy to rely on the ride leaders to
warn you of pending problems in the road. This is especially important if you are in a
large group and it will take a while to get around the hazard.
’On your left’ means that there is an obstacle on the left and the group will move to the
right to avoid it e.g. a single parked car, walkers or obstacles
‘Single out’ or ‘Single’ When a car is behind and needs extra space to overtake, or if the
group is approaching a narrow road or overtaking a line of parked cars.
‘Stopping’ The group is stopping – usually for traffic lights or busy junction. General hand signals
Hand up in the air Usually signifies that the rider signalling is stopping (e.g. for a
puncture) or there is a hazard in the road that the whole group may have to stop for. Pointing out holes in the road This is essential. You must point out drain covers, holes,
dead badgers, glass or anything else which may cause harm to a cyclist. Basically if you
have to go around it tell the rider behind about it before they hit it. Indication directions to riders behind Whether it is slowing down or turning at junctions,
large groups need everyone to indicate for other road users, so let them know what you
intend to do. Waving for parked cars, horses and pedestrians When overtaking riders will sometimes
wave a hand behind them. This signifies there is a hazard that means the group will
have to move out. They will do this by waving in the direction you will need to move. Remember you are expected to do the same so the rider behind you has seen the obstacle. Bike Club in Canterbury, East Kent
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