Top Tips for a Successful Mixed Ability Club Ride

In this brave new cycling world where proper cyclists, MAMILs, choppers, ex golfers and Rapha fan boys come together for the occasion ride (and even join the same cycling club) here are some tips for a enjoyable and harmonious club ride.
Please note this is in reference to a CLUB ride, NOT a TRAINING ride which is something different all together.

The Basic Rules

This is a club ride.  It involves club riders of various abilities.  Therefore there are no such things as Strava segments.  They simply don’t exist, so stop looking for them and enjoy the company instead.  Talk to the rider next to you instead of worrying about your average speed.   Average speed is irrelevant as you are NOT TRAINING! This is a club ride, remember?  Everyone looks out for everyone else in the group.  That’s how it works.  If someone has a mechanical, physical, emotional or mental problem, then we all do what’s needed to sort it out (that includes recommending a good therapist and stronger medication where appropriate). Be like NASA, leave no one behind (unless the whole shooting match explodes).

Group Riding Etiquette

When you are on the front:
  1. Ride at a pace that suits ALL riders in the group (it’s a CLUB RUN NOT a training ride)
  2. If you have to look over your shoulder to talk the person next to you, you are “half wheeling”! This is illegal in every other civilised cycling country.
  3. Point out potholes, any other obstacles and oncoming traffic if the road is narrow.
  4. Make clear signals, visually and orally when making a turn into another road in plenty of time.
  5. If you find yourself slightly behind the guy next to you and when you try to speed up, they speed up too so remain slightly behind them, then you are being “half wheeled”. A new law comes into force one we have left the EU allowing you to claim a free coffee off of said half wheeler if they persist for more than 200 yards.
  6. Keep in a group as much as possible – be mindful sprinting away from junctions or corners and make sure the whole group is with you (it’s a CLUB RUN NOT a criterium)
  7. Wave at oncoming cyclists, in a friendly, yet enthusiastic manner.
  8. Chat to the person next next to you.  You never know, they may have the answer to the meaning of life.
When you are in the middle of a group:
  1. Pass the info on potholes, obstructions and direction changes down the line to those behind you.
  2. Don’t make sudden movements like swerving violently around potholes or drifting over when looking at your Rapha kit in your reflection when passing a shop window.
  3. Pass info forward from those behind you like “car up” or  “ease up Rob, you’ve dropped everyone again!”
  4. Keep in line (or close to) the rider in front when riding in pairs or single file.  If you ride too much to the outside, for example, the rider behind may do the same and it will look like you are riding 3 or more abreast to motorists approaching from behind.
  5. Chat to the person next next to you.  You never know, they may have the answer to the meaning of life.

When you are at the back of a group:
  1. Pass info on to the riders in front of you like “car up” or “FFS Rob ease off we’ve lost 3 riders again!”
  2. Stay in line with the riders in front of you.  You do not want to look like you are riding 3 or more abreast from behind and inhibit traffic flow.
  3. Chat to the person next next to you.  You never know, they may have the answer to the meaning of life.

In conclusion, ride safely, communicate well and look after your fellow rider, that way everyone can enjoy the ride.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.