Club Etiquette
Carlisle Reivers Club Etiquette
Riding in a Group
When riding in a group, it is important to ride in a safe manner so as to not be a danger to yourself, other members of the club or the public.
When riding, you must:
- Ride no more than two abreast
- Ride single file as required e.g. on narrow roads
- Ride at a pace which is comfortable to you
- Display the correct hand signals
- Obey the Highway Code
- Identify yourself to our Club Welfare Officer before riding, if you identify as a vulnerable adult (as per the British Cycling definition)
Never ridden in a group?
Watch this handy GCN video for some tips.
Ride Preparation
Before coming on a club run, you should:
• Make sure your bike is safe – check brakes, wheels, rims and steering (ask a member of the club if you are unsure)
• Check your tyres
• Make sure you know how to fix a puncture
• Make sure nothing is hanging off your bike which may cause an accident
• Make sure you have a serviced bike
Equipment Required
You are likely to need the following equipment:
- A helmet and gloves
- Lights (for rides at the start/end of the season)
- At least one spare inner tube
- A pump
- Tyre levers
- A multi tool
- At least one water bottle filled with a drink of your choice
- Money (to be used for stops or in the event of an emergency taxi ride home)
- Snacks, sweets, flapjack/energy bars or gels
Ride Leaders
There will be a Ride Leader on every official Club ride and it is their responsibility to lead the ride whilst ensuring a safe and enjoyable ride for all.
Before the ride, the Ride Leader will:
- Work out a route the group is likely to enjoy, taking into account: distance; terrain; traffic; refreshments; toilets; points of interest; weather; ability of the riders; and any other factors.
- Encourage all riders to take part in the rides that that are within their capabilities.
- Familiarise themselves with the risk assessments from the CRCC website and update as needed for the ride.
- Be prepared to vary the ride if weather or road condition dictates, this is called a “Dynamic Risk Assessment”.
- Decide how they will navigate and ensure they know the route well and any potential shortcuts if needed, e.g. weather, rider struggling etc.
- Where applicable - Advertise the ride including: the meeting time and place; the approximate distance and pace; likely return time; and other essentials, create an event on the Club Forum.
Each rider is responsible for their own safety and should be personally prepared according to our Club Etiquette.
Leading the ride, the Ride Leader should:
- Find out the names of everyone on the ride – not just for insurance purposes but it’s also friendlier. Check that everyone is a member of the club (or if they are on a Try Ride).
- Enlist the help of any experienced riders to keep an eye on newer ones; act as back markers; lead a second group; or even act as ‘human signposts’; at junctions or gates.
- Explain how they will lead the ride: e.g. riding in pairs, when to go single file, reminder about hand signals, shout outs etc.; when and where you will wait for stragglers; how you will deal with traffic and so on.
- Point out any likely hazards in advance. In the unlikely event of an incident, complete an Incident Report form as soon as possible.
- Avoid blocking roads and junctions – choose stopping points carefully.
- Keep the ride flowing smoothly but do be prepared to stop if required to give anyone struggling a rest before restarting.
- Have a duty of care to the riders and the public, so if you think someone may endanger themselves or others, have a quiet word; if their behaviour persists, you are entitled to ask them to leave the ride.
- Lead by example and remain courteous and considerate to all road users and fellow riders.
- Ensure anyone who wishes to leave the ride is happy to make their own way home.
