Ride Participant Good Practice

General Statement

• • • • • • •  Adhere to the Highway Code: Always comply with the Highway Code and the Countryside Code.
            • Follow Ride Leader Instructions: Listen to and promptly follow instructions from the ride leader.
            •  Inform the Ride Leader prior to setting off on the ride if you have any potential issues with attempting or completing the ride so that the RL can make contingency arrangements.
            •     Ride Responsibly & Considerately
              • • • Do not ride more than two abreast, and drop to single file on narrow or busy roads.
                  • Move into sub-groups as requested by the Ride Leader
                  • Maintain a steady pace and avoid sudden stops (shout “stopping” or “slowing” if necessary).
                  • If there are hearing impaired Riders in the group then please additionally use hand signals
                  • Do not overlap wheels with the rider in front.
                  • If the ride splits, do not stop near a junction or blind bend.
                  • When passing pedestrians or horses, do so slowly and with plenty of room.

  Bike Roadworthiness & Equipment: 

• • • • • • • You must ensure that your bike is in a safe, legal, and working order. You should perform a bike check prior to setting off on any ride.
            • Ensure that you have the essential equipment and tools to repair your bike for ‘normal’ issues e.g. spare inner tube, tyre leavers, pump / inflator for your valve type, spare link for your chain size
            • You are responsible for the completeness and safety of any repair performed on your bike whilst on a ride
            • Ensure that you have cycle lights if likely to be riding in low light conditions
            • Ensure that you are wearing suitable clothes to ensure your visibility to other road users and to maintain your body heat in poor weather conditions

• • • • • • •  Safety Responsibility: Although riding in a group, each individual is responsible for their own safety, and must make their own decisions as to safety at every stage of the ride bearing in mind their own capabilities and limitations.
            •  Rider Conduct: Be courteous and considerate to all road users and fellow riders.
            •  Leaving the Ride: If a participant decides to leave the ride, they must inform the ride leader. 
            • Wellbeing: Please ensure that you look after your health on the ride. For instance keep hydrated and maintain your energy levels. In cold weather keep yourself warm, in hot weather keep yourself cool, do not push your body unduly, etc. Let the Ride Leader know at the earliest opportunity if you are feeling unwell.
            • Over-exertion & Fatigue: It is especially important to monitor and manage your Wellbeing when undertaking a Special Event which often will have a personal challenge element to it where the Rider might well be attempting a ride outside of their normal range / ascent profile. Please do not let a problem escalate to a critical issue- let the Ride Leader know as soon as you feel that you are coming under physical or mental stress.  

• • • • • • • Ride leaders have the authority to ask a participant to leave the ride if their behaviour persistently endangers themselves or others.
            • On a normal Club Ride any excluded Rider will be responsible for making their own way to the finish.
            • On a Special Event with a ‘Sweep’ there might be a possibility to negotiate a return via the ‘Sweep’