Club News

Before setting off on any cycle each cyclist should go through the following basic checklist to make your cycle safe, enjoyable and easier:

• Have at least one spare tube and a hand pump
• Check the brakes work!
• Check the pedals and seat adjustments – are they correct and tightened properly? Check your quick release wheels if  the wheels were off.
• Check the tyre pressure and condition. Preventing a puncture is better than mending one at the side of the road….
• GET MUDGARDS – please have respect for those cyclists behind you during bad weather conditions.
• Bring at least one full drink, a snack, your phone and some cash – in event of unforeseen problems. People can get lost – and hungry.

Everyone wants a good training session but – a group ride is NOT a race. You should not to “Attack” off the front or try to show everyone how strong you are. That’s what races are for. On climbs where abilities differ it may be OK to attack a hill, with the group re-establishing itself at either the summit or foot of the following descent.

Keep an eye on fellow club members on cycles, ensure nobody gets lost or dropped from the pack, or injured. If this happens it is good to ensure they are ok to return home themselves while the others go on, or that they’re with someone if they need help through injury or some other circumstance.

Adhere to the rules of the road – they are  there for a reason – to protect you and others. And remember you’re representing the club when you’re out there – particularly if you’re wearing the club gear!!

• NO cycling more than 2 abreast
• Do NOT break red lights.
• Use hand signals (where possible & if you feel safe to do so) to warn traffic of any oncoming manoeuvres
• Be visible – wear bright clothing if possible at all times and reflective gear if it’s a dull evening.
• It’s important that you let everyone behind know what is coming up, however, try not to shout too frequently or unnecessarily, a simple hand signal usually is enough.
• Vehicles: If you are at the front of the group and a vehicle is coming towards you on a narrow road, you shout “car up”. If you are at the back of the group and a vehicle is coming up behind the group you on a narrow road, you shout “car back”.
• If the group needs to ‘single out’, which is a command from either the front or back of the bunch, due to the passing of a vehicle, then the rider on the front right will cycle in front of the rider on his left and then pull in to the left in front of the rider. This will be the same the whole way down the bunch.
• Puncture: If you puncture, put your hand in the air. This is the universal sign that something is wrong and that you are going to stop. Wait till everybody goes past you before coming to a stop on the extreme left hand side of the road. If for some reason, like you get a front wheel puncture on a fast downhill section, shout loudly “puncture” so that as many people as possible hear you before coming to a stop on the left of the road.
• If somebody punctures, one “well equipped” person should stay back with them to fix it, while the rest of the group keeps riding on at normal pace. The group will then turn around, further down the road, usually at a junction, in case the chasers don’t know the direction in which the group plans to go.  Once the two parties meet on the road, the larger group will turn at a safe place in the road and catch up with the two lone riders.
• Downhill: If you are on the front of a bunch, going downhill, do not freewheel, but keep turning the gear and often put it in the big ring. The reason for this is that the riders behind you in your slip stream will be travelling faster than you and hence have to keep braking, which disturbs the natural rhythm of the bunch.
• Turning: When turning right or left and you are heading the bunch, shout “turning left, or “turning right” and put out your hand to signal. The others behind you should do the same all the way down the bunch, in order to let traffic behind the group, know of the groups intentions.
• Exiting Junctions: when pulling out of a junction it is the responsibility of the riders at the front of the group, to shout “clear or stop”. Never proceed to cross unless you are sure that the whole group will make it across.
• Passing: When passing an obstacle, like a runner, a slower cyclist (not our group), a stationary car, shout to the person behind you, and or, point your arm behind you and away from the obstacle. You will see this being done by more experienced riders.
• Up and Over: As it is about 20-30% harder to be on the front as a wind breaker, then it is good etiquette to take turns. The simplest way to do this is ‘up and over’. The rider on the front right will cycle in front of the rider on his left and then pull in to the left in front of the rider. This will be the same the whole way down the bunch. The amount of time spent on the front will vary according to conditions and the intensity of the spin. A time of about 5 mins is sufficient on winter spins. If you are feeling very tired, reduce that time on the front.
• Brakes: Brakes should be used sparingly. Both brakes should be pulled but not slammed on. Try to avoid obstacles whilst still moving. Shout a warning. Riders behind cannot see what you see and jamming on your brakes is a sure way to cause a collision. No sudden movements. Be predictable with all your actions. Avoid braking or changing direction suddenly. Likewise, don’t get out of the saddle abruptly. It could cause the rider behind to hit you.