Group rides have additional considerations.
Please note the following if you plan to join us on a group ride.
Mandatory
Cycles must be legal and roadworthy.
If the bicycle does not appear to be roadworthy, the leader may refuse to allow you to join the group.
Recommended
As a minimum, you should consider carrying:- spare tube(s) and puncture repair kit, pump, tyre levers.
- some drink, food and money for emergencies.
- when necessary, wet weather wear and warm clothing.
- address and telephone contact number.
Preferably, use proper bike bags to carry the above.
Mobile phone owners - please carry it for emergency use.
Carry working front and rear lights when necessary.
Consider wearing light or bright coloured clothing, with reflective clothing or belts at night.
In line with official Cycling UK policy, cycle helmets are optional on all of our events.
Members should be courteous to all other road users.
Road Conduct
Know your Highway Code.
Look over your shoulder before starting or changing position.
Take care on lanes, looking over hedges and listening for approaching traffic.
If you need to stop for any reason, shout "STOPPING" before you slow down.
Stop close to the verge.
Never ride more than two abreast.
Keep your distance from the cyclist in front, especially when riding two abreast, as you or your partner may need to cut in suddenly.
When riding the outside position of the leading pair, hold back on the approach to blind corners as there may be a car approaching.
If riding alone within a group, ride behind the inner rider of the pair immediately in front of you.
Consider changing to single file riding when the call "nose" or "tail" is heard - normally the inside rider of each pair moves forward, allowing the outside rider to slot in behind.
Pass any calls of "nose" or "tail" up/down the line to keep all riders informed of potential dangers.
Road Conduct
Ride in single file on busy roads and under circumstances where it would otherwise be dangerous for vehicles to pass (defer to the leader’s judgement).
If there is traffic behind, which is unable to overtake, split into smaller groups of about five to six to help it pass.
Do not overtake the leader (an exception is long uphills - at the top stop, where safe, to regroup).
Descending or climbing hills often leads to the need to pass another rider.
Be sure they know you are passing so that they do not move out to pass someone in front of them.
A useful phrase is 'Coming through' and this can be further refined by adding 'Coming through on the outside/inside'
Pass any of the leader’s messages down the line so that everyone follows suit.
After junctions, each rider should check that there is still another rider following and if not, either wait at the junction or, notify the leader.
At a junction, do not block the sight of motorists already waiting to pull out.
Anyone wishing to leave the group should notify the leader or someone else in the group (to avoid their being treated as "missing persons").
