Ride Participant Good Practice

General Statement :

• • • Club Day Rides – All riders must pre-book their place on rides by the Ride Leaders email as in the Weekly Bulletin. This ensures that we have a full list of riders’ names to comply with Cycling UK HQ’s requirements. If at all possible this should be done at least a day in advance, e.g. by the end of Friday for a Sunday ride. This will allow the leader to arrange extra leaders or book a cafe for a large group. 
      • • If you have applied to join a Ride and are unable to make it then you should make every effort to contact the Ride Leader.
        • In the unfortunate event of a Ride being cancelled then the  Ride Leader will endeavour to contact you using the contact details you supplied on applying to join the Ride. 
        • (This section to be confirmed) Guests wanting to join a Club Ride must complete a Cycling UK Guest registration form and hand it to the Ride Leader prior to joining a Club Ride ride to be covered by the Cycling UK Insurance –  https://www.cyclinguk.org/sites/default/files/document/groups/cycling_uk_guest_registration_form.pdf (The Ride Leader will not have copies of this form and we are unable to accept Guest Riders ‘on-the-day’)

• • • •  You will have an experienced ride leader who will have a great route planned so relax and enjoy it.
      • Keep in mind they are a volunteer and listen carefully to any instructions.
      • Let them lead! • He or she should explain any jargon and hand signals they may use to keep control of the group; however, you are responsible for your own safety.Always comply with the Highway Code and the Countryside Code.
      • Follow Ride Leader Guidance: Listen to and promptly follow guidance from the ride leader when safe to do so.
      •  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 Ride Leader can make contingency arrangements.
      •  Ride in the group Responsibly & Considerately
        • • Move into sub-groups as requested by the Ride Leader, and maintain a suitable gap between the sub-groups.
          • Maintain a steady pace and avoid sudden stops (shout “stopping” or “slowing” if necessary).
          • Only move ahead of the Ride Leader with their agreement. If you have moved ahead you must stop at the next junction.
          • If there are hearing impaired Riders in the group then please additionally use hand signals
          • Do not overlap wheels with the rider in front.
          • When dropping from two abreast to single file the outside rider should normally move behind the inside rider
          • 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 AND 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 levers, 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 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’ 

FEEDBACK :

If you wish to provide feedback on the conduct of any Club Ride, Tour or Special Event then please send an email to –  welfare@coventry CTC.org.uk 
Mail sent to this address is dealt with as ‘Confidential’ and is viewable only by the Club Welfare Officer.