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Club Ride Etiquette

The following guidelines are to inform new riders and to remind more experienced riders of the behaviour and safety controls expected during Club Rides.

The Basics

  • When riding with Belper BC and wearing club kit you are an ambassador for the sport and our Club. As such we ask riders to consider their behaviour towards other road users and consider the impression of us and cyclists other road users take home.​

  • Follow the highway code

  • Treat other road users as you wish to be treated

  • Have emergency contact details available

  • Ensure your bike is roadworthy

  • Riding 2 abreast is our default position

  • Single out where necessary

  • Keep 1ft between riders

  • Carry spare tubes and equipment for basic roadside repairs

  • Stop where safe and there is sufficient room for the group

  • Mudguards are recommended in winter

Safety

This is the single most important aspect of club rides.

  • Helmets are required on all Belper BC club rides. These should be in good condition and checked regularly for defects.

  • Your bike should be in a roadworthy condition. For a basic guide to some pre-ride checks, watch the linked video here.

  • Check that all accessories are securely attached to your bike and tethers are attached where they exist.

  • Riders should wear appropriate clothing and ensure they are prepared for a change in conditions. Ensure clothing will not be caught in moving components of the bike.

  • Front and rear lights are mandatory on Tuesday evening rides in winter months.

    • Lights should be of an appropriate brightness so as not to cause visual issues to other road users

  • Riders should carry adequate tools to fix common mechanical problems. This should include:

    1. A pump

    2. Spare inner tube and puncture repair kit

    3. Tyre levers

    4. A multitool

  • All members should have emergency contact details available. These can be added to the "personal info" section of "my account" on the Belper BC website and on your mobile phone.

    • For Android phones, see here

    • For iphone users, see here

    • The above instructions also provide steps on accessing this information in an emergency. Please familiarise yourself with this.

    • It is also recommended to add relevant medical information. This will only be accessed if the need arises.

  • Carry suitable drink and food, even on short rides.

  • Riders under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times whilst on a ride.

Group Riding

  • Our group rides are social events, not competitive or training rides. Whilst different ability levels are catered for, the ability in a group will still vary. The focus is to keep and neat and tidy group, riding 2 abreast or singling out where necessary. Aim to be 1ft away from the wheel in front and 1ft away from the shoulder of the rider next to you.

  • Members of the group must communicate up the group if a rider is being dropped, so the lead riders can slow the pace - our rides need to work for everyone in the group.

  • Do not ride to the side of the wheel in front of you...

    • It gives the impression we are riding more than 2 abreast

    • You push your partner out into the middle of the road

    • A change in speed or direction may cause contact resulting in a crash

  • If you are riding on the front, keep pedalling - freewheeling causes the group behind to brake.

  • We live in a hilly place, so...

    • Adjust your pace to accommodate the ability of all group members to keep the group together (this is a good skill to learn)

    • When climbing and if appropriate, overtake when the road ahead is clear

    • When descending it can be safer to single out to give other riders space to react to hazards

    • It is expected that members regroup at the top of hills in a space place that is suitable for the group size.

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Junctions

  • Always be prepared to stop at a junction or roundabout

  • ​Try to remain in group formation and not bunch up at the mouth of the junction

  • If you have negotiated the junction be aware that other members may still have to wait and if so ride at a gentle pace or stop in a safe location.

  • When leaving the junction, pull away gently to prevent the group spreading out

  • Members may communicate “clear left / right” to those behind, however you are individually responsible for making the decision to proceed. 

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Verbal Communication/Warnings

  • All of these should be passed down the line, the riders at the back will not hear calls from the front rider(s)

  • Car Up – Vehicle approaching the rear of the group.

  • Car Down – Vehicle coming towards the front of the group.

  • Easy – Advance warning of some hazard ahead of the group, e.g. road junction, sharp bend, wet in road, etc.

  • Single out – when a car needs to come by or the group is approaching a narrow section of road.

  • Hole – pothole ahead.

  • Clear – when pulling out of a junction and the road is clear for following riders.

  • Stop or Car – when at a junction and it is not clear.

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