Family Friendly Off Road Ride

Details of and discussion about club runs

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AdeR
Posts: 383
Joined: 08 Feb 2015 18:34
Real Name: Adrian Ravenscroft
Location: United Kingdom

Family Friendly Off Road Ride

Post by AdeR » 02 Jun 2019 12:35

Weds 050619 meet by Moor Green Lane Medical Centre. 18:00 - 19:00 see beacon academy fb

Not suitable for 23mm road tyres. More Touring/cx/mtb.

Rules:

Beacon Cycling Academy wants riders to take part in and gain maximum enjoyment from group rides. These rules and etiquette are intended to create the safest possible environment in which we can all enjoy cycling together in a public place. The rules and advice incorporate long-standing practices and will be familiar to all experienced riders. They have been drawn up to help our young riders who have never ridden in a group, we would like their responsible adults to make a point of reading them, following them and explaining them .
Safety and Risk Management
All riders take part in the group runs at their own risk. Those risks can never be totally eliminated but can be minimised by following these guidelines. Academy coaches will be happy to offer general advice on group rides. They will politely point out any deviations to the rider(s) concerned and seek compliance. If they believe that a rider’s conduct is putting others at risk they have the authority to exclude the offender from the group run and will subsequently report the circumstances to the club committee who may wish to take further action.
Insurance
The Club has insurance through British Cycling to cover claims against the Club and its officers but it does not cover individual riders. All riers are advised to have individual public liability insurance. Membership of the Cyclists Touring Club or British Cycling (Silver and Gold membership) includes third party insurance and free legal assistance, should you need to claim against someone else.
Our young Riders:
1. Must provide a parental consent form.
2. Must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who will keep them in sight.
3. Must wear helmets and parents/guardians are expected to set a good example in this respect. Gloves are strongly recommended.
General Etiquette
1. A guiding principle on group rides is that the group will travel at the pace of the slowest rider (except in designated training sections). No one will be left behind. The ride leader will do a regular check (headcount), at least at every change of direction.
2. Everyone should watch out for other riders in the group. If anyone is struggling or has to stop for any reason, everyone has a responsibility to communicate this up to the front of the group. One responsible adult will be designated as tail rider and ensure no one drops off the back.
3. All riders must be courteous to other users of the park/cycle path at all times. Remember that just as we tend to notice only the inconsiderate or bad dog owners so other walkers & dog owners users see poor behaviour by some cyclists. Make sure that you do not provide ammunition to the anti-cyclists lobby.
4. Ride steadily. Keep a steady line and constant speed while in a group. Any sudden change is magnified as it reaches riders at the back and so can have dramatic consequences.
5. If you do need to overtake other riders do so with clear communication ‘passing on your right/left’
6. The use of group rides to set segment times for uploading to speed comparison websites such as Strava, is discouraged. The practice is disruptive in a group and could be dangerous. The only exception is on a designated training section where riders may ride at their own pace.
7. Ride two abreast where it as safe to do so but always be prepared to single out when necessary. Ride immediately behind the rider in front – do not overlap either forwards or sideways. Overlapping forwards gives you no chance to avoid the rider in front if he swerves or falls, and overlapping sideways results in the group presenting a three abreast profile. Never ride more than two abreast.
8. When approaching a hill anticipate the gradient and change gear in good time. Missing a gear change on the steep bit can bring you to a sudden halt – not a good thing for the riders behind you!
9. Hills tend to split groups up. Regroup at the top. Do not overtake the lead rider.
10. Treat members of the group and other path/park users with courtesy. Acknowledge courteous behaviour by other path/park users.
11. Do not “wave through” a following cyclist that is waiting to overtake – let the cyclist make this decision. This will avoid the risk of being held responsible if the overtaking results in any form of accident.
12. Do not react to bad cycling or dog walking incidents with shouts/gestures or provoke retaliation.
13. Visitors and potential members are welcome to try rides free of charge but should be encouraged to apply for membership.
14. Let others know if you are unable to keep up, have a problem, or have decided to leave the group.
Clothing and Equipment
1. Wear cycle-specific clothing if possible as it provides a better level of comfort and practicality. It doesn’t have to be Lycra – there are now casual style tops and shorts designed for cyclists. A brightly coloured jacket or jersey makes you more visible to other road users. Depending on the conditions, it might be advisable to carry a waterproof jacket, not only for the rain but also to give an extra layer if you have to stop with a **flat** and cool down. A club jacket or jersey will help to publicise the club and also make you very visible.
2. Carry enough tools to get you out of everyday problems like **flat**s or nuts or bolts working loose. It’s easier to change an inner tube than it is to repair a **flat** at the roadside (especially if it’s cold or wet). Carry two spare inner tubes, tyre levers, a pump and spanners / Allen keys to fit as the minimum. A **flat** outfit will also be useful in case you get more than 2 **flat**s. The lead rider will carry basic 1st aid.
3. Helmets are compulsory.
4. Off road rides can involve getting wet and dirty.
5. Tyres should be inspected before and after every ride. They should be appropriately inflated. Look out for bulges or cuts as well as the actual tread depth and pattern.
6. Keep your bike in good condition and replace any worn out parts. The group will help if something goes wrong but may not be best pleased if the problem was caused by poor maintenance.
7. Carry personal details – name, address, contact phone number.
8. Carry drinks and food, even on short rides. The food can be some form of high energy bar to get you to the next café stop.
9. A bell is strongly advised.
Warning Calls When Riding in a Group
These calls and signals are universal to all experienced cyclists – please use them at the appropriate times
1. “Bike up” There is a bike coming up behind the group
2. “Bike down” There is a bike approaching towards the front of the group
3. “Single out” A call from riders at the back of the group when a vehicle is unable to pass the 2 abreast column safely. This call must be relayed forward by everyone to ensure that the move to single file is executed quickly and safely. The standard procedure is for the outside rider to drop back behind the inside rider. The call “single out” alerts everyone to the need to slow up and create spaces in the inside file.
4. “Clear” and “Bike/walker/runner” on Left/Right” These calls let’s following riders know at junctions, when the group is joining or crossing another path, whether or not the path is still clear. If the group cannot stay together the first ones across ride slowly until the others catch up.
5. “Hole/root/gravel” Any surface that could cause a rider to fall. If possible indicate where it is so that following riders can steer away from it and not into it. Do this by either pointing or adding to the call “on the left (or right).”
6. “On the Left/Right” A general warning of some kind of hazard – e.g small children/buggies . For hazards on the left, an alternative warning is to put your left hand behind your back, pointing to the right, away from the hazard. Give way to pedestrians – they can feel intimidated by cyclists just as we sometimes feel intimidated by motorists.
7. “Stopping” “Slowing” “Easy” “Right Hand moving in an up and down action”. If you brake without letting those behind know your intention they can easily run into you
8. “**flat**” Let the others know and they will wait while you repair it. (You will probably be given help).
9. “Horse(s)”Are highly unusual in Birmingham! Pass as widely as possible. Make sure that both the horse and rider are aware of your presence and if you are approaching from behind call out. “keep pedalling slowly as you pass to keep noise from your freewheel and gears to a minimum” Pay attention to any request by the horse rider – they know the temperament of the horse and its likely reaction to a group of brightly clad cyclists.
10. Always pass the instructions along the group, to ensure that everyone is aware of the hazard.
Some things actually DO happen that are not on Strava

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