Make Every Ride Enjoyable
Before You Ride
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Bicycle—Your bicycle should be in good mechanical condition. It’s fine if you change a flat slowly, but please know how.
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Helmets—You must wear a properly fastened helmet on all group rides.
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Food and fluids—Most rides have no meal stop. Some stops don't take credit. Bring food that works for your stomach, a little cash, and sufficient water or sports drink for the route and weather.
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ID and emergency contact—Carry both! Options include an ID bracelet, your phone lock screen, a slim wallet, or clear label inside your helmet. Info you submit on our "contact page" is quickly outdated and hard to access in an emergency.
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Tools, etc.—Carry tire levers, a spare tube, and a pump or CO2 cartridges. A mini-tool is handy, as is your phone—for emergency calls or checking maps. A baggie will keep that phone dry.
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Lights—Front & rear lights add visibility if you're separated from the group and ride alone. Near dawn or dusk, they're a must.
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No aero bars—Triathlon or time-trial bikes aren’t a hard no, but using aerobars is dangerous in a group. If you don’t own a traditional road bike, then use the base bar handles throughout the ride. (E-bikes, however, are just fine.)
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No earbuds or headphones.
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Arrive early—Allow time to get ready. Stated start times are observed. Pre-ride is a great time to introduce yourself to the ride leader, ask about en-route stops or pace.
How We Ride
Road Etiquette
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Traffic laws apply to cars and bikes. Stop at red lights. Ride single file where required and max two abreast. If a rider ahead rolls through an intersection, still be prepared to stop, regardless of signage. Check for yourself, and don’t make a bad decision because you feel hurried. This goes doubly in the case of blind intersections.
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If you’re at the front, keep others safe. Use hand signals to make a turn or, by pointing down, to alert riders of upcoming obstacles.
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Ride for the back. When pulling away from stops or lights, waits until others are on before accelerating to cruising speed. If the group gets split at a changing light, wait on the far side until the dropped riders rejoin. If you see someone behind getting dropped, shout "Gap!" so the leader knows to slow.
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Don’t spit. If you need to clear your throat or do an air hanky, wait until you’re in the back or pull to the left when it’s safe to do so.
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Be predictable. Unexpectedly hitting the brakes or swerving around a pothole can crash those behind you. Alert people first. If the street's right edge would cause you to weave between obstacles, pick a straighter path away from the curb.
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Never "half wheel." A common mistake for new group riders is overlapping the wheel in front of them. The danger: Adjustments by the rider in front could cause their rear wheel and your front wheel to touch, leading to an accident. Instead, stay directly behind the person in front.
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Keep a consistent speed. When it’s your turn to pull at the front, it’s easy to go harder than you realize. That bump in pace could put others into difficulty.
• When on the front, keep the speed consistent by monitoring your miles per hour or power numbers.
• If you’re stronger than others in the group, take a longer pull. Not a faster one.
• If you feel fatigued, decrease the length of your pulls — not your speed. -
No hogging. Even if you're on fire, keep your pulls to a few minutes, max.
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Help others. If someone gets hurt or has a bike breakdown, make sure that all riders stop safely out of traffic. A single rider should never be left alone on the road. Lending a hand will also help the stranded rider rejoin the group quicker.
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Have a good attitude. Sharing your love for cycling with others is part of what makes group rides fun. Friendly competition is OK, but it’s more important to have a good attitude, encourage others and keep the mood light. Group rides are a time to learn from others, make friends and enjoy the camaraderie.
Ride Leader Responsibilities
Every Group Ride Will Have a Designated Leader
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Arrive early.
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Introduce yourself and any newcomers.
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Assign "buddies" as appropriate to newcomers.
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If you're leading a B or C ride, appoint a sweeper. Several can share this job over the ride.
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Describe the day's route, stops, and muster points; review group etiquette as needed.
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Start on time. Depart when the "6-corners" traffic light is red. This avoids a split in the group or riders' dangerously rushing through a stale green.
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Get to the front before the route's key turns. No need to ride the front 100% of the time.
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Take responsibility for the riders with you.
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Coach riders who are not adhering to rules of the ride.
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Review paceline rotation methods as required.