Monday, 25 September 2023
The rides we offer are the core activity of our club and are dependent on volunteer leaders for their continuing success. We encourage all adult members to take a turn at leading a ride, once they have been on a few. This guidance provides information on how to get started and what is involved.
Get in touch with the runs secretary, runs@ctccambridge.org.uk, to express your interest. New leaders need to be registered with Cycling UK for insurance purposes, which the runs secretary will arrange. Cycling UK also offers a useful, self-access online training course (takes approx. 90 minutes) that covers the core aspects of leading a ride.
Once registered, choose a ride to lead from the list which the runs secretary provides. The runs secretary is happy to discuss routes and offer advice to help you get started.
We recommend that you plan the complete route in advance, and bring a GPS device or maps. The runs list gives the destination, the cafe stops and the expected distance. You can plan the ride using any suitable route between those stopping points. There is a route library that you can use to help you plan.
Feel free to ask for help from the runs secretary or other leaders when planning your route.
Try to avoid main roads and use quieter B-roads or back roads as much as possible. Generally, routes are planned to be longer on the outbound leg and more direct on the return. 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. 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.
Allow enough time for the coffee, lunch and tea stops, and about 1 to 2 hours' riding time for each leg. Contact the cafe(s) in advance and make a booking if needed.
Some leaders like to circulate their planned route in advance to allow other riders to download it – this is optional. You can circulate a route by email and/or ask the runs secretary to add the route to the ride details (the latter only if it is a library route, or a public RidewithGPS route).
If you are unable to lead for any reason, or extreme bad weather is forecast then contact the runs secretary as soon as possible. Try to find a replacement leader yourself. If the weather is very poor or dangerous, we will cancel the ride and announce this via the website and email.
Arrive at the start in good time to meet and greet the other riders. Use the rider registration form (pdf) to register their names. Welcome any new riders and introduce them to the rest of the group.
If there are any riders under 18, collect signed parental consent forms (pdf). 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.
Tell the group, particularly any new riders, the key details about the planned ride (total distance, route and expected finish time). Check that everyone has lights if needed.
Bring a GPS device or paper map(s), details of the route you have planned and a mobile phone. Carry the phone numbers of the cafes you will be visiting, in case you need to change plans.
It's a good idea to carry a few blank copies of the parental consent form for any riders under 18.
A basic first aid kit is also recommended – contact the runs secretary if you would like a kit – but the leader is not expected to administer first aid.
The leader's main responsibility is to set both the route and the pace of the ride. Aim to go at the pace indicated in the ride description on the website and pay attention to any slower riders who are falling behind.
The leader is also in charge of the general ride conduct - taking account of other road users. 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.
If there are 8 or more riders it helps to have an experienced rider as a backmarker who can stop and help if someone stops without the front of the group being aware. Big groups (12 or more) 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 – make sure that the assistant leader has a copy of the route and exchange your phone numbers. 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. The leader can choose 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.
If there is an accident or injury follow the instructions on the back of the rider registration form. You may need to complete an Accident report form, especially if a motor vehicle is involved. See the FAQ for more details.
Send the completed rider registration form and any parental consent forms to the membership secretary within 24 hours. The simplest way to do this is to photograph the forms and send them by email to membership@ctccambridge.org.uk.
Q1: Where can I find out more about leading a ride?
A detailed ride leader guide is published by Cycling UK's national office: the Ride Leader Handbook (pdf, 36 pages). They also offer a short Ride Leader Checklist (pdf, 2 pages).
Q2: Am I expected to help to repair punctures or 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 and how should accidents and incidents be reported?
A Cycling UK Accident/incident report form must be completed in the following circumstances:
Before completing the form, contact the club secretary, secretary@ctccambridge.org.uk, and safeguarding officer, safeguarding@ctccambridge.org.uk, and send them a copy of the completed form once it has been submitted.
Other types of incident or accident may happen on a ride and leaders are encouraged to report these to the club secretary and safeguarding officer for appropriate action to be taken. They can also advise if it is necessary to complete the Cycling UK Accident/incident report. Such circumstances might include: a near miss collision where serious consequences might have ensued (including between cyclists); road and signage defects; inappropriate behaviour; or 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.
The safeguarding officer is the first point of contact where issues of safeguarding and complaints are raised.
Q4: What should I do if there are slower or faster riders in the group?
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 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 general ride conduct - taking account of all the riders and other road users. If needed, the leader is encouraged to talk to a rider and ask them to improve their behaviour. 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.
Q6: Is there a cancellation policy?
The leader has the option to cancel their ride for any reasonable reason.
Cancelling for bad weather is the most common case. The leader should aim to announce possible cancellation well in advance based on the 3-day forecast. The leader should contact the runs secretary so that a warning can be added to the website. If the ride is cancelled, the website is updated and an email is sent to the main club email.
Leaders may decide to abandon the ride at the start, but if the cancellation has been announced in advance, the leader doesn't need to go to the start.