Saturday, 14 October 2023
This guide is designed to help make our rides safe and enjoyable for all. A short group riding checklist is also published by Cycling UK's national office: the Group Rider Checklist (pdf, 2 pages) and you should be familiar with the Highway Code.
Our rides are led by experienced and registered leaders, who are responsible for choosing a good route and keeping the ride safe and well organised. The ride leader is the official representative of the club and they have a duty of care to members of the ride. Riders should assist the leader by following their instructions and the guidelines below.
There is some additional guidance for riders under the age of 18.
All types of bike can be used, including electric bikes. Make sure your bike is in good mechanical order and well maintained. Local bike shops will be happy to check it for you or you can do your own 'M-check' (pdf from Cycling UK). Check that your tyres are in good condition and pumped up, your brakes are adjusted and that your chain and gears are working smoothly.
We strongly recommend riding with mudguards in winter: they keep you dry and stop spray from affecting other riders.
You must carry at least one spare inner tube plus a pump and tyre levers in case you get a puncture. We also recommend that you bring a few extra tools (pdf from Cycling UK) for other common mechanical problems (e.g. a multi-tool). Other members of the group will usually stop and help you, but you should be able to do it yourself. While serious mechanical issues are rare, it may mean you have to take a train or taxi home.
It's a good idea to bring waterproofs and a warm extra layer, good lights, a mobile phone, water, an emergency snack for longer rides and money. Our rides stop for refreshments at cafes. Occasionally we visit ones that accept only cash or only cards, so we recommend bringing both. If you prefer to bring your own food, please don't consume it on the cafe premises.
We also recommend that you carry details of an emergency telephone contact with you in a place where it can be found easily. The club provides cards for this purpose; ask the ride leader or membership secretary for one.
Our rides start promptly at the scheduled time so aim to arrive a little earlier. If you are a new rider, introduce yourself to the leader. Members of Cycling UK should carry their membership cards on every club ride.
The ride will return to near the start but riders often disperse at their convenience before the end. The leader will ensure that you know your way and assist you as necessary.
On longer rides, you may wish to leave the ride after the first stop or at any point. Please make sure that the leader is aware if you choose to leave the group.
Good ride discipline helps to keep our rides safe and enjoyable for everyone:
When riding in a group, you should pay attention to both the leader and to your fellow riders. Everyone should help the leader to keep the group together. The leader will ride at a pace that allows the whole group to ride together. Some riders will use their own pace at times, especially on long hills, but the group should reform soon after.
All riders should aim to be considerate to other riders and to other road users. Large groups should ride in a way that enables motor traffic to overtake or to pass safely and without causing undue delay. This may mean splitting up into smaller groups and creating a large enough gap between the groups to allow motor vehicles to pass in two stages.
Groups should ride as compactly as possible, either riding in pairs or single file, depending on conditions. When there is plenty of room for vehicles to overtake, riding in pairs is generally preferred. Change to single file on busy roads or on narrow roads where passing cars cannot give a wide enough clearance or if it is otherwise dangerous for vehicles to pass. If a vehicle is clearly having difficulty overtaking, the group should select the nearest safe place to stop and let the car past.
Always defer to the leader's instructions.