Club Rider Guidelines
These guidelines are here to help our riders enjoy the club rides, to ensure that they are as safe as possible and to understand what the club expects from them. They are not definitive and there are few hard and fast rules.
- You are responsible for your own safety, for being properly equipped and insured.
- However, we do insist that everyone wears a helmet.
- If you’re riding an e-bike, make sure it’s legal (the same goes for conventional bikes too!).
- Before the ride:
- Download the route from the club website onto your GPS device, if you have one. (It is not compulsory to download the route, but it is advisable.)
- Keep a check on the ACC WhatsApp group in case of last-minute changes from the ride leader.
- If you have a phone with you, make sure you have contact details for the ride leader or another group member.
- Try to get to the start before the ride start time and, if delayed, let the ride leader know.
- If you are new to the club, introduce yourself to the ride leader.
- Out on the road we ride as a group:
- We ride together and don’t leave anyone behind. If you decide to ride off in front of the group, or take an alternative route, we will assume that you no longer wish to remain with the group ride and will leave you to your own devices!
- Take care not to be a hazard: be aware of your position in the group and the riders around you, and ride steadily. Never stop suddenly (except in an emergency)! If needing to stop, warn riders behind you by shouting something appropriate like “stopping!”
- Avoid sudden changes of direction. Pick a riding line that is safe for riders behind you to follow.
- Ride in single file or two-abreast according to road and traffic conditions. Ride directly behind the rider in front and try to keep the group compact. (This is safer and more efficient than a group which becomes ‘spread-out’.)
- On busy roads break into smaller groups, as directed by the ride leader, leaving at least 3 or 4 car lengths between each group to allow traffic to pass safely.
- Club rides are not competitive, and they are not ‘training rides’; resist the temptation to sprint ahead of the group. With group riding, everyone should ride at the same steady speed: if too fast, let the ride leader know.
- However, on long climbs the group is likely to become fragmented so, if ahead, stop at the top in a safe place to regroup.
- Coming up to a junction, prepare to stop: we need to ensure that the group turns together and no one is lost.
- Follow the directions from the ride leader (they will sometimes modify the route, change coffee stop etc. on the fly).
- Learn and practice proper cycling hand signals which are universally understood. Always try to warn the riders behind you of upcoming hazards.
- Follow the Highway Code – it’s worth giving yourself a refresh to check out the new guidance.
- Be respectful to other road users and pedestrians.
- If you wish to leave the group ride, let the ride leader know.
- Similarly, if you get lost, let the ride leader know. Try to contact them immediately but, if that’s not possible, make your way home and then let them know that you are safe.
