\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n
On the day:<\/strong><\/p>\n Group Riding:<\/strong><\/p>\n When riding as a group, it is good practice to know some of the basic group riding etiquettes, so that you know what to expect on your ride and you keep everybody happy and safe within the group.<\/p>\n It is good practice when riding in a group to always do your turn on the front, you will be appreciated by everybody else. Those who just sit at the back and get pulled along in the wheel will become unpopular. You should not need to sit at the front for more than a few miles, when you can then drop back and take shelter while somebody else takes the wind at the front. In a chaingang, your turn at the front may only be for a few hundred metres.<\/p>\n While at the front, the pace should be kept to that at which the whole group are comfortable, with nobody being dropped off the back. When you take over at the front, do not increase the pace above what it was before you took over.<\/p>\n If the group breaks up on a climb and you are at the front, be prepared to slow or stop for the group to reform.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t always sit amongst the wheels and shirk your stint on the front. Even if you just put in a few turns of the pedals it\u2019ll be appreciated. However, even if you\u2019re finding the pace easy, don\u2019t get on the front and accelerate, try to maintain the pace of the group.<\/p>\n If road conditions and traffic allows you\u2019ll often be riding two abreast. Maintain an even pace and stay level with the person next to you. Do not constantly up the pace whenever a rider draws level to you. Known as \u201chalf-wheeling\u201d this is definitely frowned upon.<\/p>\n The most important factor to successful group riding is communication. Make sure you know the meaning of and always pass any verbal signals through the group. As well as obvious shouts such as \u201cslowing\u201d and \u201cbraking\u201d, others to be aware of are \u201ccar up\u201d, meaning there is a car ahead to be aware of, \u201ccar back\u201d, meaning there is a car behind and \u201csingle out\u201d, meaning to adopt single file. Be aware there are local variations of these shouts, so use your eyes too. There are a number of hand signals you should also be aware of (see illustrations below).<\/p>\n Stay relaxed in the group but constantly look around and don\u2019t mindlessly follow the wheels. Look past the riders in front to get a heads up of the road ahead. Always look first and let the riders around you know before moving within the group.<\/p>\n Most Club Runs and Sportives take place on roads that are open to traffic and, even with those on closed roads, there\u2019s no guarantee that there won\u2019t some traffic on the course, so ride accordingly. Respect junctions and always stay on the correct side of the road.<\/p>\n Your movements will affect everyone in the group. Hold a straight line, don\u2019t weave and always overtake around the right hand side of the group.\u00a0 Don\u2019t grab your brakes and, if you stand out of the saddle, don\u2019t let your back wheel drop back. Also, when you come to a feed station, no matter how relieved you are to see it, don\u2019t veer across the road.<\/p>\n In case the rider ahead needs to brake, don\u2019t follow their rear wheel directly. It\u2019s perfectly acceptable and you\u2019ll get the same drafting benefit from riding six inches either side of it. However it\u2019s essential that you don\u2019t overlap their rear wheel as any sudden movements by them will be likely to bring both of you down.<\/p>\n Ensure your bike is well maintained as misfiring gears or poor brakes can make you a liability in a bunch. Carry suitable spares, clothing and some of your own food and drink so that you are self reliant.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re on the front of the group, don\u2019t sit in the gutter as you\u2019ll be forcing everyone else to follow you increasing the likelihood of hitting obstructions such as drain covers and of picking up punctures. Where possible, ride 1 m out from the curb.<\/p>\n Groups will change, fragment and reform as the ride progresses. Expect larger groups on flat sections but, on longer climbs, they\u2019ll break up. Similarly, on descents, riders will tend to string out to give more time to react at higher speeds.<\/p>\n In addition to the standard directional signal of the left or right hand extended out to the side, which should be used whenever you are cycling on the public highway, see below some of the other common hand signals used when riding in a group situation.<\/p>\n Make yourself aware of these prior to going out on a group ride and also check with a group member which hand signals and verbal shouts they regularly use, as they can vary locally. \u00a0\u00a0 You can read more about riding in and enjoying a group ride a British Cycling<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n Club Policies:<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n All riders must adhere to club policies to ensure both safety and overall ride enjoyment<\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n \n\n\n<\/p>\n [table \u201c3\u201d not found \/] \u00a0<\/p>\n \n\n<\/p>\n \n\n<\/p>\n\u00a0\n \n\n\n<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" On the day: Please ensure your bike is in good working order, we will not under any circumstances be held responsible for any accident or injury whatever the cause. All riders must carry a spare inner tube, puncture repair kit and a toolkit – you will however get help with roadside repairs. Helmets must be … Continue reading Your Ride<\/span> \n
Please ensure your bike is in good working order, we will not under any circumstances be held responsible for any accident or injury whatever the cause.<\/h6>\n<\/li>\n
All riders must carry a spare inner tube, puncture repair kit and a toolkit – you will however get help with roadside repairs.<\/h6>\n<\/li>\n
Helmets must be worn on all rides. No helmet no ride!<\/h6>\n<\/li>\n
All riders should carry a small First Aid kit.<\/h6>\n<\/li>\n
Ride pace will vary on the day, it\u2019s linked to the collective ability of the group, no one gets left behind! All rides will start and end at either the Jubilee Park caf\u00e9 area or Woodlands Cafe on the Broadway, Woodhall Spa. \u00a0Check the ride diary<\/a><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n
As a social cycling club we start as a group and finish as a group, barring emergencies.<\/h6>\n<\/li>\n
Name & phone number of your emergency point of contact must be carried on the ride; ideally in a bar\/saddle bag or taped to the bike frame.<\/h6>\n<\/li>\n
Any queries contact enquiries@woodhallwheelers.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0or use the contact form<\/a><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n
Make sure you have read the guidance below on group riding issued by British Cycling<\/h6>\n<\/li>\n
Finally, read and abide by Club Policies<\/a> (also shown at bottom of this page)<\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n\n