Rules for RIders / Leaders
Rules of the Ride: Leaders and Followers on a No-Drop Ride
Our club rides are growing and new riders are coming into our sport. However, with larger numbers of riders with varying levels of experience, it’s important that all of us – beginner to expert – adhere to certain rules and etiquette. Our safety depends on it!
A club ride is a group effort - everyone must be concerned about everyone else. Unfortunately, a few riders can ignore the rules. For example, they can surge the pace and drop riders on a no-drop ride. This is when a strong leader needs to take charge to return things to normal. It’s not easy, but here are some guidelines to help.
Rules for Ride Leaders:
Rules for Riders
Riding in a group can be complicated, and many more rules and expectations exist. However, these are some of the key ones. On a no-drop ride, the goal is to get to the end and say, “What a great ride. Everyone stayed together and kept a consistent pace”. It doesn’t happen often enough, but it can happen.
Here is an article and video from a club in the UK that discusses other aspects of group riding.
Ride Leader Handbook | Cycling In Sussex | Sussex Nomads Cycling Club
Thanks for your support.
Penny Langdon
President, TeamCBC
Cyclists Building Community
(excerpted from ‘TeamCBC Weekly Cycling Tip’, 8/25/23 by Rick Bunnell)
Our club rides are growing and new riders are coming into our sport. However, with larger numbers of riders with varying levels of experience, it’s important that all of us – beginner to expert – adhere to certain rules and etiquette. Our safety depends on it!
A club ride is a group effort - everyone must be concerned about everyone else. Unfortunately, a few riders can ignore the rules. For example, they can surge the pace and drop riders on a no-drop ride. This is when a strong leader needs to take charge to return things to normal. It’s not easy, but here are some guidelines to help.
Rules for Ride Leaders:
- Communicate! The most important thing is to encourage communication. The group cannot afford surprises.
- Be Bold – Express Yourself! Don’t be afraid to yell out instructions. Riders may not like it, but they need to know when they’re doing something wrong, such as not pedaling while descending.
- Keep a check on the group. The pace may be faster than advertised, and some riders may not be able to hold the pace.
- Control the pace! If riders are starting to get dropped, get on the front and control the pace or tell those up front to dial down a gear.
- Regroup when necessary! If someone has dropped off the back, you or someone you designate must pull them back to the group. Alternatively, regroup at the next turn to allow that rider to catch up.
- Stick Together! Have the group stop for a mechanical issue. Ensure the rider's issue is resolved or they have the necessary help before resuming the ride.
- Bring ‘Em Home! Most rides are "No Drop", keep an eye for those that may fall back, and call out "GAP' to regroup. Ensure that everyone gets back to the start. Identify an alternate leader if needed and pull them back yourself.
- Be Helpful! Coach new riders courteously and professionally. Please don’t assume they know all the rules.
- Mechanicals or other incidents: Call them out! The group stops and continues once resolved.
- As NC designated vehicles we will obey ALL traffic laws and rules of the road.
Rules for Riders
- Stay Awake and Aware! Don’t put your head down and pretend you don’t know what is happening. Support the leader in their efforts to keep the group together and safe.
- Communicate! Call or point out hazards. Get critical information to the front, such as a rider has dropped or a car back. Be verbal and loud and let your teammates know your intentions. The peloton is no place to be timid!
- Don’t take in personally! If the ride leader yells at you, it’s not personal. They need to be heard and often may need to should over the wind and traffic noise.
- Maintain the pace! Don’t surge at the beginning of your pull. You should maintain the same pace and make it a smooth transition.
- Mind the Gap! Don’t be embarrassed to call out “Gap” if you’re getting dropped. Please don’t wait until it’s too late; don’t expect other riders to notice.
- Be Ride-Ready and Prepared! Make sure you can maintain the advertised ride pace for the distance of the ride. Know the route in advance. Have lights as required. Be self-sufficient - have water bottles and a saddle bag with everything needed to change a flat tire. If you show up ill-equipped and unable to handle the pace, you may be asked to return to the start.
- Line Rotation - Right lead pulls in front of left and then both drop back next to the yellow line. DO NOT cross the yellow line.
- Not feeling challenged enough? Spend more time on teh front, but don't blow up the pace.
- Aerobar riders are only permitted in the back.
Riding in a group can be complicated, and many more rules and expectations exist. However, these are some of the key ones. On a no-drop ride, the goal is to get to the end and say, “What a great ride. Everyone stayed together and kept a consistent pace”. It doesn’t happen often enough, but it can happen.
Here is an article and video from a club in the UK that discusses other aspects of group riding.
Ride Leader Handbook | Cycling In Sussex | Sussex Nomads Cycling Club
Thanks for your support.
Penny Langdon
President, TeamCBC
Cyclists Building Community
(excerpted from ‘TeamCBC Weekly Cycling Tip’, 8/25/23 by Rick Bunnell)
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