CTC Cambridge

If you've been on a few of our rides, and you're an adult member of Cycling UK, then we'd warmly encourage you to have a go at leading.

The simplest way to get started is to open our rides list and look for a ride where the leader is showing as "needed". Then get in touch with our runs secretary and offer to lead the ride.

You should have already done several similar rides to get a good idea of how our rides work. You should also be comfortable with the distance and the pace of your chosen ride.

We encourage everyone to take a turn at leading a ride. Planning a route is part of the fun and the runs secretary is always happy to discuss routes and offer advice to help you get started.

New leaders need to be registered with Cycling UK HQ for insurance purposes. The runs secretary will take care of this, and will contact you with more details.

Step 1: Volunteer - any adult club member can volunteer to lead a ride.

• Choose a ride from the current lists where the leader is "needed".
• Contact the runs secretary (email preferred) and volunteer to lead.
• The runs secretary will usually reply and confirm within a few days.

Step 2: Plan your ride - we recommend that you plan the complete route in advance.

• The runs list gives you the destination and the stopping points and the expected distance.
• Plan your route using any suitable route between those stopping points.
• For more ideas and suggestions see the "Planning your ride" section below.
• Contact the cafe(s) you plan to visit in advance and make a booking if needed.

Step 3: On the day - turn up on the day, meet the other riders, then off and enjoy.

• Aim to arrive at the start in good time to meet and greet the other riders and to register their names.
• Welcome any new riders, and collect signed parental consent forms for any riders under 18. For more details see the "At the start" section below.
• Lead away on time, and follow your planned route. For more details see the "During the ride" section below.

Step 4: Last minute issues - If you are unable to lead for any reason, or extreme bad weather is forecast then contact the runs secretary.

• If you are unable to lead your ride, contact the runs secretary as soon as possible. If possible, please try to find a replacement leader yourself.
• Contact the runs secretary if you are worried about the weather forecast as the day approaches. We will cancel rides if the weather is clearly too dangerous (icy roads or gales) and announce via the website.

We recommend that you plan the complete route in advance, and carry maps and route notes with you on the ride.

There are many good ways to plan a route: some leaders prefer OS maps; others prefer on-line maps. With practice, you'll get to know the best roads and byways. Here's some general suggestions:

• Use your preferred maps to choose the nicest roads. Avoid main roads and use quieter B-roads or back roads as much as possible.
• Most routes are planned to be longer on the outbound legs (wiggles, loops etc.), but fairly direct on the inbound leg after tea.
• A good route has contingencies built-in: a short cut to the destination in case someone has a breakdown, or strong winds; or an extra loop near the end if you go faster than expected.

First decide the approximate distance for each leg. This is calculated using the riding time available (see below) and an average speed of 12 mph.

• On all-day rides, aim to reach the coffee stop around 11:00 am and the lunch stop around 1 pm.
• Don't forget to allow enough time for the coffee, lunch and tea stops. This usually leaves about 1 to 2 hours riding time for each leg.
• The Sunday tea stop has various set times - check the runs list for the tea time for your ride.

Plan the full route from the start back to Cambridge via all the stopping places; measure the total distance and adjust the route until it fits.

• If you are finding it difficult to make the route work then contact the runs secretary (we do sometimes make a mistake!).

Avoid longer sections of unsurfaced paths or bridleways.

• A short off-road section can be OK if it is an important link (e.g. to avoid a long detour or a busy road) and it has a reasonable surface. A good example is the Babraham-Abingdon footbridge: we use this regularly.
• Most riders will have normal road/touring bikes and tyres, so try to avoid any rocky or very muddy paths altogether.

You can always ask for help from other members when planning your route. Other leaders and the runs secretary are usually happy to help.

General advice to all riders on what to bring can be found in our Guidance for riders.

You will need to bring details of the route you have planned. Some leaders bring notes and a paper map; others use a Garmin or a similar device. If you're using a Garmin, keep in mind that you might need to change the route as you go along. Some leaders find it helpful to being a paper map as a backup.

Carry a note of the cafe stops you will be visiting, in particular booking details and phone numbers, so that you can call ahead if needed.

You should carry a mobile phone for use in emergencies and for phoning food stops where required.

It's a good idea to carry a few blank copies of our Parental consent form for any riders under 18. (download and print copies yourself or obtain them from the runs secretary).

Most riders arrive at the start just a few minutes before the start. As leader, aim to arrive early enough to welcome any new riders, introduce yourself and tell them about the ride.

• Tell any new or inexperienced riders the key details about the planned ride (total distance, route and expected finish time). This is necessary to allow such riders, and especially any adults who are accompanying children, to decide whether they will be capable of completing the ride.
• You can also introduce new riders to the rest of the group.
• And check that everyone has lights if needed.

Register the full names of all riders on a rider registration form.

For young people under 18 (whether a member or not) collect a Parental consent form as well, signed by the parent or guardian.

The club has set a minimum age of 16 years for unaccompanied children. Riders under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult acting in loco parentis. See the club policy on riders under 18.

Keep the completed rider registration form and any parental consent forms with you during the ride and afterwards send them to the membership secretary. The simplest way to do this is to photograph the forms and send them by email to membership@ctccambridge.org.uk. Alternatively send the paper forms to the membership secretary, either directly or via another committee member.

The leader's main responsibility is to set both the route and the pace of the ride.

• We aim for an average speed of 12 mph, but the wind and weather makes a big difference.
• Pay attention to the slower riders and set a moderate pace - so that everyone can keep up.
• It's generally better to start off slowly and speed up later when everyone is warmed up.

The leader is also in charge of the general ride conduct - taking account of other road users.

• You should normally expect the other riders to behave responsibly without any intervention. You can ask for help from other experienced riders if needed.
• The group usually rides two abreast, thinning out to single file when called by the leader ("Single out!") or if needed.
• Faster riders may overtake on hills or other fast sections. But don't be rushed: expect them to wait at the top/bottom or at the next junction to regroup.

Consider splitting very large groups (12 or more).

• In large groups it helps to have an experienced rider as "backmarker" (the last rider on the road) who can stop and help if someone stops without the front of the group being aware.
• Big groups may work better in two subgroups (with a good sized gap), especially on busier roads.
• You can fully split the group and appoint an assistant leader if needed. This is a good option if there is a wide range of abilities and the groups want to go at different speeds.

The leader is not responsible for any repairs - but you are expected to keep the group together.

• Usually the whole group will stop and wait and lend a hand if there is a puncture or other problem.
• The leader can chose to split the group and continue with some riders if the others are able to catch up independently. This can be a good option if you are close to the next stop.

Try to keep track of everyone - check all are ready before moving off.

• If riders drop out early, check they are really leaving and have not simply been left behind.
• Try to ensure that the leaving rider has adequate knowledge and resources to get home.

Q1: Am I expected to send an email giving details of my planned route?

No. We recommend that leaders plan their route in advance for their own use and give a short summary to the other riders at the start. But leaders do not have to send an email giving details of their planned route in advance.

We know that some leaders do like to send an email to the members' email group with details of their route (either in words or in electronic form). But this is an individual leader's choice and you do not need to do this.

Q2: Am I expected to help to repair punctures - or to do other repairs?

No - the leader is not responsible for any repairs.  But you are expected to keep the group together.  Usually the whole group will stop and help if there is a puncture or other problem.

Q3: When should a Cycling UK 'Accident/incident report form' be completed?

A Cycling UK 'Accident/incident report form' must be completed in the following circumstances:

• Whenever an incident or accident causes medical help to be sought (whether this is at the time of the accident or subsequently).
• Whenever a claim or complaint is likely to be formally pursued against another party (including a local authority) following an incident or accident.

A Cycling UK 'Accident/incident report form' should be completed where neither the above apply but where an incident/accident has happened and the ride leader wishes formally to report the matter to the committee via the club secretary for appropriate action to be taken.

Such circumstances might include: a near miss collision where serious consequences might have ensued (including between cyclists); road and signage defects; ride incidents which might appropriately be recorded for monitoring purposes (i.e where a pattern is emerging) or for ride leader training purposes. Also, in any case where informal action (as opposed to a formal claim or complaint) might be appropriately taken by the club against another party.

Cycling UK Accident/incident report form.

A Cycling UK 'Accident/incident report form' must be completed as soon as practicable and sent/emailed to

• the club secretary.
• the contacts listed at the bottom of the form.

Q4: What should I do if there are slower (or faster) riders in the group?

We aim for an average speed of 12 mph on our typical (moderate) rides, which is intended to make the rides accessible to anyone with a reasonable level of fitness.  As a general rule, leaders should pay attention to the slower riders and set a reasonable pace so that everyone can keep up.

If a rider is much slower than average, we expect leaders to accommodate them on a first ride.  But the leader should also offer some advice, perhaps encourage them to turn back with another rider after coffee, or advise them to try an easier ride next time.

If a group of riders are going too fast, the leader should not try to keep up with them.  The fast riders are expected to either slow down and/or wait for the rest of the group to catch up at the next junction.  If the group dynamic is getting disrupted, the leader should consider formally splitting the group (ideally appoint a second leader) and let the two groups ride separately.

Q5: What should I do about bad ride discipline by riders?

The leader is in charge of the general ride conduct - taking account of all the riders and other road users. You should expect the riders to behave responsibly without any intervention.  But if needed, the leader is encouraged to talk to a rider and ask them to improve their behaviour.  You can refer to the national CTC cycling guidelines for group leaders (pdf) and CTC guide to cycling with a group (pdf) for general advice.  You can also ask for help from other experienced riders.

In case of any bad discipline problems or any other concerns, you are encouraged to contact the runs secretary after the ride so that the committee are aware of any developing problems.